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  • 31May

    Quilt Binding

    General Quilting & FUN, Quilt Tips and Ideas No Comments

    Binding is the last step in finishing your quilt. Many quilters decide on their binding fabric when they select the fabrics for the quilt, and others wait until the quilt is ready for the binding to be applied to select a fabric. Experienced quilters know that the way a quilt looks can change throughout the quilt-making process, and sometimes an entirely unplanned splash of color along the edge will complete the quilt perfectly.

    Quilt binding on antique quilts was usually cut on straight grain fabric. The folded edge of straight grain fabric is prone to wear along the fold. During the 1920s and 1930s it became popular for quilters to use bias strips of fabric for binding. The folded edge was a crossing of two woven threads, and was not as apt to wear as quickly as straight grain. The bias strip offered flexibility and smooth coverage for the popular curves and shaped edges which were so fashionable on the quilts of that era.

    Pre-cut bias tape quilt binding is commercially available in packages, usually in solid colors, for quilters who want a fast and easy binding strip. The quality of packaged bias binding may not be the same as the quality of the fabrics in your quilt. Many quilters use a fabric from the quilt top or a coordinating fabric and cut a bias binding of their own to assure uniform quality throughout their quilt.

    To apply quilt binding, the edges of all three quilt layers must first be trimmed even. Quilt binding is typically sewn to the front of the quilt using about a 1/2″ seam allowance through all layers. Then the extended binding edge is folded over the edge of the quilt and stitched in place on the back, either by hand or by machine. Finished quilt binding can be a narrow 1/2″ or so. Wider binding strips can be used, but they may be impractical to replace when they become worn. If you want to use a wide binding strip, you need to plan for it when you create the outer border and border quilting designs.

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  • 30May

    Quilt Tops

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    Many quilters like to spend their creative time actually quilting rather than cutting and piecing quilt tops. Luckily for them, there are others who prefer the cutting and piecing part of quilt making. Do a quick search online and you will find several websites where quilt tops can be purchased. If you are not familiar with the quilt top maker, look for some recommendations or comments on the website to verify the quality of work. Most reputable sellers will offer a money-back guarantee if their work is not what you expect. You can expect to pay a high price for a quality quilt top, and you should not settle for anything less than the quality you pay for. Experienced quilters know not to buy an inaccurately pieced quilt top. Look for quilt tops that have been been assembled with uniformly stitched seams and correctly pressed seam allowances. You want a quilt top that lies flat and square with even corners; this will result in a square and even finished quilt.

    Collectors like to buy quilt tops, both new and antique. Antique quilt tops are often in very good condition if they have been packed away and stored well. Since they were never finished into quilts, they have not been laundered or used, and they are often important sources of antique fabrics. Collectors also like quilt tops because they take up so much less space to store than finished quilts. Quilt tops also cost less than finished quilts, and can be a good way to break into collecting.

    One problem to guard against if you have quilt tops that you will keep in storage is that the seam allowances on the backs are unprotected and they fray easily. Fold your quilt tops with a layer of acid-free tissue protecting the fragile exposed seam allowances, and a small roll of acid-free tissue along the fold lines to prevent creases. If you carefully unfold and refold your quilt tops every few months it will also help prevent set-in creases.

    Click here and scroll down the page for the latest information on preserving, displaying, storing, and caring for your quilt tops.

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  • 29May

    The Aesthetics of Quilt Sashing

    General Quilting & FUN, Quilt Tips and Ideas No Comments

    Sashing is a very common element in quilting and is used to divide quilt blocks, making for an elegant and exact pattern. Quilt sashing is made of strips of fabric which harmonize with the colors and patterns of the quilt blocks. This technique allows each block to stand out individually and showcases elegant and intricate block patterns while preventing the entire quilt from looking too busy or overbearing. Sashing is often made from solid colored fabrics or subtly patterned fabrics, depending upon the quilter’s preference.

    Sashing is not difficult to add to your quilt. Sashing strips are inserted between the blocks when the rows are being sewn together. It is important, however, to make sure the the sashing strips are of a uniform width which will suit the quilt you are making. The most difficult part of making a quilt with sashing is ensuring absolute accuracy in both the size of the quilt blocks and the sashing. Inaccurately sized pieces will leave the quilt looking rather odd and imbalanced. Since accuracy is so important, the length of all the strips of sashing should be exact. One way to ensure this is to cut the strips slightly longer than necessary, sew them to the quilt block as usual, and then trim them to exactly the length that is needed.

    Sashing can also be spruced up with cornerstones. Cornerstones are squares of different fabric added at the corners of the squares of sashing. These can really bring some added aesthetic value to a quilt and if, for instance, you run out of sashing fabric while quilting, they can be added to finish the quilt flawlessly.

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  • 28May

    Quilt Documentation Projects

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    The intricate design and symbolic meaning of many quilts made during the late 19th century and early 20th century has transformed them from handicrafts to living remnants of an era gone by. Quilting is a long held craft which has been elevated to the level of fine art by the work of American quilters during the turn of the 20th century. There is a growing movement today which is dedicated to documenting and preserving these tapestries of living history. Quilt Documentation Projects have been organized throughout the country, from the Delaware Quilt Documentation Project to the Quilt Documentation at New England Museum.

    These wonderful organizations search for the most historically relevant, beautifully designed, or spiritually significant quilts produced in a given region. Once they have found the quilts, Quilt Documentation Projects endeavor to document the works of art with digital photographs and other records. The quilts are entered into searchable databases and preserved forever so that future generations may enjoy their unique beauty.

    Other quilt preservation efforts, such as the New Hampshire Quilt Documentation Project, have chronicled both the quilts themselves, along with the quilt makers, in books and journals that can be accessed by the public. The purpose of these efforts is to ensure that quilting as an art form is preserved for posterity. The complex patterns and symbolism imbued in each quilt makes it as distinctive as its maker, and Quilt Documentation Projects across the nation are working to pay homage to the classic American art of quilting.

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  • 27May

    Gee’s Bend Quilts

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    On a small pocket of land surrounded by the winding Mississippi River, the local African-American community has been tirelessly contributing to the world of artistic quilting. The quilters of Gee’s Bend, Alabama have recently been recognized for the artistic expression and cultural significance found in their handmade quilts. For generations the women of Gee’s Bend have immersed themselves in intricate quilting projects, producing works of art that have garnered national acclaim since 1969. When Calvin Trillin highlighted the quilts and the quilters of Gee’s Bend in a piece for The New Yorker, museums and other institutions devoted to preserving artistic rarities flocked to the rural corner of Alabama to document the quilter’s work.

    In 2002 the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston opened an exhibit of the Gee’s Bends quilts to an enamored public. The sophisticated yet personal designs, the vibrant color schemes, and the alternative patterns used by the Gee’s Bend quilters captured the imagination of adoring audiences. The Gee’s Bend quilt exhibition was then moved to the Whitney Museum in New York City, where critics lauded the artistic quilts as “some of the most miraculous works of art America has produced.”

    Today the quilts of Gee’s Bend are displayed in galleries and the quilt makers themselves have become minor celebrities, traveling to quilting shows and museums to discuss their work. The quilts of Gee’s Bend have helped to revitalize the languishing community and restore hope for its citizens and quilters alike.

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  • 23May

    Quilting Stencils

    General Quilting & FUN, Quilt Tips and Ideas No Comments

    Use a quilt stencil to produce amazing designs for your quilt top. A quilt stencil is a plastic sheet with small punched holes illustrating the markings for your quilting stitches. You can use stencils for either machine quilting or hand quilting.

    Quilt stencils come in an array of styles. There are several ways to mark your quilt top using stencils. Traditional “brush-away” methods are chalk, soapstone, soap, and powdered “pounce” methods (which use a chalk powder). Try the special quilt marking pencils which are available in several colors for use on different colored fabrics, or try one of the new fabric marking pens. The new fabric pens use special inks that either disappear a few hours after the ink dries, or they disappear when touched with cold water. It is not a good idea to use regular pencils because the lead marks are difficult to remove. Regular pens will NOT wash out, and they may bleed or run when you wash your quilt, leaving permanent stains.

    Quilting stencils save you time in selecting, drawing, and transferring the design onto your quilt top. Stencils help you keep all of your markings uniform and evenly spaced. Make your own stencil from your computer clip art by printing it on a plastic overlay sheet. Punch small holes through the plastic along the marking lines to transfer your marks through. A tiny pointed wood-burner tip is one way to melt a nice sized hole with smooth edges. Place a heat-proof surface under the plastic sheet if you use this method.

    Some quilt stencils are for continuous line quilting designs. A continuous line design is one that you can use to machine quilt. There are no breaks in the stitching line, so you can sew continuous repeating designs without stopping and starting. These are available online, in many books, and at quilt shops. Once you study continuous line designs, you may want to make your own.

    There are alignment marks on stencils so you can repeat them for unbroken patterns. Once the stencil has been traced, move it to the next area and line up the marks. Then trace the next section. This is especially useful when marking borders. If you purchase stencils for your borders, look for corresponding corner stencils, too. These will bring the border designs from both sides together at the corners with a smooth transition.

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  • 22May

    The Long-Arm Quilting Machine

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    A finished quilt is a masterpiece. A lot of time, effort, energy, creativity and love were pieced into this work of art. It deserves the same meticulous finishing that went into its production. There are several different methods of applying the quilt stitching to a quilt. Many quilters place their quilts (completing a section at a time) into a quilt hoop or frame and painstakingly do the quilt stitches by hand. Others prefer to machine stitch using a sewing machine. The most expedient, versatile and sophisticated way to add the quilt stitches is by using a long-arm quilting machine.

    The long-arm quilting machine is a special sewing machine consisting of a large frame (holds the fabric taut) and a freely-moving stitching head. The person operating the machine can create quilting designs on a quilt using free motion. Stitching templates are available for more advanced long-arm machines, some with laser guided accuracy. Designs are limited only by the quilter’s imagination. The average quilter, even the more advanced quilter, probably does not own a long-arm quilting machine. The amount of space available would certainly be a consideration, as most of these machines are large and cumbersome.

    Another thing to consider before investing in a long-arm quilting machine would be the expense. This machine is quite pricey and the amount of usage would undoubtedly have to justify the cost. Unless you plan on using a machine in your own custom-quilting business, the more cost-effective route would be to take the quilt to a professional quilting shop and allow an expert do this part of the project.

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  • 21May

    Hand Quilting Methods and Benefits

    General Quilting & FUN, Quilt Tips and Ideas No Comments

    Traditional hand quilting is a labor-intensive process requiring time and patience. Machine quilting may be faster, but the tighter stitches can pull and break if the quilt is used on a bed that is slept in. Properly executed hand quilting allows slight shifting as a quilt is wrapped around and moved under without breaking the thread. Over time, washing and use can create a patina finish that only occurs with hand quilting. The tiny puckers that develop along stitching lines give a quilt character, and use will make it softer. Hand quilting can last for decades if the quilt is treated with care. Never machine wash or machine dry a hand quilted quilt.

    If you are accomplished at hand sewing, you should have little difficulty learning the art of hand quilting. Practice will change frustration into satisfaction when your end result is nice, even stitches. It’s a good idea for beginners to start with a small project, perhaps a baby quilt or a small wall quilt. Use a simple quilting design; straight lines are a good way to learn hand quilting. If you need to mark the quilting design on your project, use a chalk pencil or other removable marker. Try a special disappearing pen made just for fabrics. A regular pencil is difficult to remove. Never use a regular pen, because the ink will not wash out, and it may run and smear.

    Prepare your project for hand quilting by layering the top, batting, and backing together. You can baste the layers together to keep them from slipping, or try safety pins. There are specially shaped safety pins made just for quilt basting which allow you to pin through the thick layers. Place the prepared quilt in your hoop or frame. The stitching surface should have a little “give” and not be too tight. Use a single strand of quality quilting thread with a small quilter’s knot at one end. Pull the knot through one layer of fabric so it is embedded in the batting and is invisible from the outside of the quilt. Quilting stitches are made by “rocking” the needle. The down stitch should be straight down through all layers until you feel the needle tip with your “underneath fingers” and then rock the needle until the tip passes to the top again. Practice loading 3 or 4 small stitches onto the needle at one time, and then gently pull the thread through. The thread should lie flat, and the quilting should not be too tight or appear gathered.

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  • 14May

    Quilt Batting

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    Quilt Question:
    What are some differences in types of quilt batting?

    Quilt Answer:
    Quilt batting is the middle layer of the quilt. Batting varies in type of fiber and loft. The most common natural fiber used for quilt batting is cotton, but you can also find it made from silk, alpaca, bamboo, polyester, wool or blends of fibers. Any type of fiber batting can be used in any quilt, but it is usually a good idea to match the content of the fabrics with the content of the batting. For example, wool batting is used with cotton fabrics when more warmth with lighter weight is desired. Fibers that seem unique to American quilters, such as alpaca and bamboo, can be compared to wool and cotton. The animal and plant fiber sources are similar to their counterparts. Alpaca and bamboo are just not as common in the US since they are not grown here commercially.

    Quilt Batting, buy here PIC link

    Cotton batting is the favorite of most quilters. It is available in several different lofts. It may be wispy-thin for summer quilts or those quilts where very delicate stitching will be done, or it may have a very high loft which gives the finished quilt lots of body and greater insulation properties. Organic cotton batting is available now, so you can use a natural product that has been grown and processed with environmental consciousness.

    Wool batting is also made in several lofts. A low loft wool batting offers more insulation and  warmth than comparable low loft cotton, and for a thick, puffy quilt using a natural fiber, a high loft wool will be perfect. Wool is also easy to hand quilt.

    Silk is the most expensive batting. It is the best type to use with silk fabrics, such as a crazy quilt. Of course, you can use a silk batting with any fabrics, and a silk batting used with premium cotton fabrics will give your quilt a luxurious feel that has wonderfully soft draping qualities.

    Polyester batting is cheap, and some quilting purists scoff at its use because it is not a natural fiber. Polyester batting gives off trace amounts of chemicals which, over time, actually speed up the deterioration of cotton or other natural fibers in the fabric of a quilt. So if you are creating an heirloom quilt, choose a natural fiber batting for the longest life of the textiles. However, polyester does have its place. It is readily available and it quilts well and holds its shape. The biggest asset I know of with polyester batting is that it launders well and dries fast. I like it in sturdy, machine quilted quilts that will be USED just because of its laundering benefits.

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  • 13May

    Quilt Fabrics

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    Quilt Question:
    What kind of fabric should I use to make a quilt?

    Quilt Answer:
    Cotton is the most commonly used fabric for quilting. It is a soft, breathable, natural fiber, and it launders well. Cotton fabrics are easy to work with, and fewer people have allergies or skin problems associated with cotton than any other fiber. Cotton is the most widely used fabric in the world, not just for quilting. There is a huge selection of cotton fabrics at a relatively low cost. Cottons fabrics are printed and dyed in a fantastic array of designs and patterns, whether batik or baby prints or reproductions of antique fabrics.

    cotton quilt fabric (PIC)  Reproduction of a 1930s Feedsack fabric.

    Many quilters use wool fabrics for the warmth they provide. In the 19th century, wool was the quilt fabric of choice in many northern, cold climate areas. This was partly due to the fact that cotton was grown in the south and wool was often obtained from northern sheep and northern wool mills. Woolen fabrics today are still used for quilt making. There are lovely wool challis and light weight suitings that are ideal for quilting.

    Silk fabrics are becoming more available and affordable in the US, and their popularity for quilting has increased. Special sewing techniques are often needed when working with silk fabrics if they are a slippery weave. Silk thread and a small size needle should always be used with silk fabric.

    It is important to many quilters to use organic fabrics. The textile industry uses lots of chemicals in growing and processing plant and animal fibers, and the dyeing and printing processes use many chemicals, too. There are environmentally friendly alternatives, and by asking for them, quilters can impact the market.

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