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Do you have any suggestions on the measuring correctly of the quilt backing?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
I usually don't measure the backing too closely. Maybe this video will help: http://www.graspr.com/videos/Layering-Your-Quilt-1 Once the quilting is finished, I trim the backing and batting so they are even with the quilt top. Happy Quilting! Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com Read More...
Exactly how does one soak batting?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Actually I put mine in the washing machine. I just fill the washer with warm water, put the batting in and let it soak for about 10 minutes. (Make sure it is all wet!) Then I drain the water and let it spin. Then I put it in the dryer on a warm cycle for about 20 minutes. The batting manufacturers don't recommend doing that because they say it might make the batting come apart. They recommend soaking it in a large sink or bath tub, then draining it, pressing the water out of the batting and then laying the batting on a flat ... Read More...
What is the percentage of size shrinkage after quilting a piece, using different types of bats or fillers?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Polyester batting will not shrink at all. 100% cotton batting can shrink up to about 5%, and most of the cotton blends will shrink about 3%. That includes the 80-20 cotton-poly, such as Hobbs Heirloom or the Fairfield cotton-poly. The new Fairfield bamboo batting also shrinks about 3% since it is a combination of cotton and bamboo. Happy Quilting! Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com Read More...
How did I get a wrinkly table runner?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Hi Penny:: I recently made a table runner approx. 40 inches long.... the finish seemed to be wrinkly and didn't have a flat appearance.. I have an old machine without a walking foot... could this be the problem?? any assistance you can be, will be greatly appreciated.... Thank you much,, Joni Greetings - It is possible that not sewing it with a walking foot is the problem, but that would depend on how puffy the batting is. Since this is a table runner, my guess is that the batting is relatively flat. If that is the case, a walking foot might have ... Read More...
What can I do with my left over batting?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
A quilter in a discussion group asked what to do with small pieces of batting, and she expressed concern about wasting batting when her quilt was smaller than the batting, and she had pieces of batting left over. This happens to every one of us. I used to have a big bag of leftover pieces. Like food, I was reluctant to throw leftover batting out, even though I had no idea what to do with it. Then one day I read a tip from a quilter about how to sew small pieces of batting together to make one bigger piece. It's almost like ... Read More...
Should I pre-wash batting?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
It depends on the type of batting. Batting that will not shrink at all doesn't need to be pre-washed. I do pre-wash my batting that is 80% cotton, 20% polyester, because it will shrink some. However, pre-washing batting is not like pre-washing fabric. To pre-wash batting, you soak it in warm water, spin the water out of it, and then place it in your dryer at a medium heat. If you agitate the batting, it will fall apart ;-( and you will have a mess. Many quilters like the idea that their quilt will shrink just a little because the ... Read More...
What is a scrim?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
A scrim is a really thin layer that is added to one side of batting to help it stay together. In the old, old days, quilts needed to be quilted really close together because the batting would actually separate inside the quilt. With a scrim, that won't happen. It is like a thin layer of interfacing, and makes it very difficult to hand quilt. Read More...
How do I layer a quilt for basting?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Once your quilt top is complete, you are ready to baste and quilt your quilt. Depending on the size of your quilt, this can be an easy project, or a little more challenging. Regardless, the process is the same if you are going to baste the quilt layers using pins, thread or those little plastic tabs. If you are going to use spray basting, the process will be a little different because you will be basting as you layer your quilt. The concept is still the same. And the critical element is to make sure that all of the layers in ... Read More...
What if my backing or batting is smaller than my quilt top?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Q: Before I found you, I had a friend helping me. We put the quilt together with the batting and the backing the same measurements as the quilt. I've got it on an old rack now, but I am hesitant to start the quilting, afraid that the edges will not be good when I finish. what should I do? Laura, West Jefferson, NC A: You raise an excellent point. When you quilt, your quilting stitches will tend to make the quilt top, back and batting get somewhat smaller, and generally at different rates. At this point, I would add fabric to the backing and add batting. ... Read More...
How do I layer my quilt before quilting it?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
How to Layer Your Quilt to Guarantee No Bulges or Puckers After You Have Hand Quilted Your Quilt Many quilters write in saying that they want to know the best way to layer their quilt so that they don't end up with puckers or bulges after the quilt is quilted. While I still haven't worked out a method to guarantee no puckers or bulges after machine quilting, using this method to layer your quilt for hand quilting will assure that your finished quilt will be smooth. Step 1 Lay your backingfabric down wrong side up on a smooth, hard surface. The ... Read More...
What is a quilt sandwich and how do I make one?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
You have pieced your quilt top and now it is time to assemble the quilt sandwich. It sounds scarier than it is. First, lay your back fabric out on a large flat surface such as the bed or floor – any space large enough to flatten out your quilt. The right side of the fabric should face down. Batting is the next layer. You will notice that if you are working on a large project, the batting width might not cover the width of your project. If you find that your batting is not large enough, just stitch the edges of ... Read More...
How do you make a template for a clamshell quilt?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Once you have decided to make a clamshell quilt, unless you already have a pattern, it's time to make a template. It looks more complicated that it really is, and once you have your clamshell, you can easily make the subdivisions. You need something that will create at least a quarter circle the size you want your clamshell to be. If you have a compass, that works. If not, you can use a bowl, plate, can, whatever! I used a special circle ruler from Omnigrid - you'll see it below. Remember, this is the overall design you are looking ... Read More...
How do you make the Square in a Square Quilt Block?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
The first time I saw this simple, yet stunning quilt pattern was on the cover of a quilt book featuring Amish quilts. The quilt featured a large square in the center, set on point, and surrounded by triangles, so it looked like a diamond. As I looked at the quilt, I realized that it would be quite simple to make. The trick, if any exists, is to make sure that as you sew all of those bias edges, you keep them from stretching and getting out of shape. Pictured below is one quilt patch of the square in a square. And ... Read More...
What is an easy way to sew an 8 pointed star together - and have the center lay flat?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Using some very simple techniques, eight pointed stars can be really easy to sew together. The most difficult part of sewing stars seems to be getting the center to lay flat. Years ago, a quilting teacher pointed out that if you sew the points into pairs so that the final seam is just a straight seam through the center of the star, that you are more likely to have the star lay flat. Below is a step-by-step discussion showing you how to sew an 8 pointed star together using that process. In this example, the seams are pressed open. This ... Read More...
I have been ask to do a white on white quilt for a wedding of my niece. Do you have any ideas? - -
Sat 07 Jan 2012
- - I have looked in all my books and cannot find anything I thought I might try something like a wedding rings with different whites Sounds like a fun project, and I think you have a great idea. Georgia Bonesteel talked about a muslin quilt she did. The whole thing was the same fabric, and what she realized was that the seams and the underlying seam allowances created some secondary designs in the quilt. She then (if I understand correctly) placed a blue netting between the top and batting, which created another fun effect. Happy Quilting! Penny Halgren Read More...
The quilt I am going to do uses 4 1/2'' squares. My question is, what size should my pictures be to fit properly into the 4 1/2'' squares and look nice?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
I generally have the photo take up the full size of the patch or block. So, if the finished size of your patch or block is 4 1/2 inches, I would print a photo that is 4 1/2 inches onto a piece of fabric, cut it to be 5 inches (make sure you center the photo as you cut the fabric), and then sew it using a 1/4 inch seam allowance on all sides. That way, your photo will cover the patch or block. That is the goal, anyway! I try to make the photo just a little larger so there isn't ... Read More...
We are going to make some curtains,(drapes) for a extra bedroom, and want to make rag curtains, can you tell me best an a simple way to do that.
Sat 07 Jan 2012
What fun! I'd make the curtains just as you would a rag quilt - without the batting or backing. Your back will still be finished-looking because all of the seams will be raggy on the front. You can use whatever size blocks you like - 8-10 inch or smaller. No need to do the "quilting" stitching unless you want to for the design. There are links to tips for making rag quilts here: http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/index.php Read More...
Can you mix batik fabric with regular 100% cotton fabric in a quilt?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Yes, and I do it often. Batik fabric is 100% cotton, although it has a tighter weave (higher thread count) than most other 100% cotton fabrics, making it a little more difficult to hand quilt. Happy Quilting! Penny Halgren Read More...
How do you make a crazy quilt?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Some quilters shy away from crazy quilting. It seems so ornate and must be very difficult – after all, how could fabrics so randomly placed give such an exquisite look? The truth is that crazy quilting provides an opportunity to use stitches, techniques and fabrics you might not otherwise get to use in your craft. If a bed quilt seems like too much to try, start with a smaller project. Crazy quilting is really more appropriately called crazy patchwork. Most of the crazy quilts we see are never really sandwiched with batting and quilted. The squares are layered with muslin, tied and then ... Read More...
Can I make a quilt with an origami look?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Quilters are always looking for something new and exciting to add to their work – new techniques, new products, new patterns, etc. One new trend combines quilting with a craft that is even older than quilting – origami. As you know, origami has traditionally been the art of folding and creasing paper to create clever shapes. The paper craft originated in Japan in the 1600s. Only a few different folds are used to create origami’s many different designs. Someone decided to try folding fabric. It worked. Why then couldn’t those folded pieces of fabric origami be incorporated into a quilt? ... Read More...