The Quilting Edition
It’s official: I am starting a quilt block this morning.
This is insanity, really—I have never quilted before and so…what? I join a 12-month quilting bee?
Ridiculous.
But very, very exciting.
One of the desires of my (ever-distracted) heart is to be more creative—to engage in more activities that will last, in some way, and to (hopefully) teach my children to do likewise.
I’m pushing myself to my very limits with this thing, ladies. Truly. Growing up, I watched my amazing seamstress of a mother create beautiful things out of fabric. I had no interest in learning…and alas, she let me be.
Well, today I am trying to grow up a bit. It’s time. This old dog can learn a new trick—of that I’m hopeful—and what a lovely new trick it is.
So here’s the subject I have for you all today, if you’re so inclined to be chatty: Are you handy with a needle and thread? Are you a quilter? A seamstress? A lover of all things textile?
Or, like me, are you not but do you long to be?
Feel free to share your favorite resources—stores, books, websites, etc.
And do not tease me for being a newbie!
All for the Greater Glory of God,
I have made several quilts – but none recently. My mom learned from someone who was an expert – and she taught me. I think the best thing is to have someone who knows how show you. Other than that just take it step by step and you’ll be fine. Even the most intricate quilt is made only one seam at a time, one stitch at a time. Good luck. I can’t wait to see the finished project.
You’ll do great! All that’s necessary is the desire. And quilts are a great place to learn — straight stitching, no patterns. My favorite quilts are just random squares of color. The fabric does all the work being beautiful.
One of my favorite projects was a hand-sewn quilt — all stitched right in my lap. Now it hangs over the back of my sofa and I enjoy running my hands over it when I fold it up every day (there’s always someone snuggled up in it).
Just don’t let it psych you out — enjoy.
Yep, all of the above. The only part I dislike is ripping out incorrectly sewn seams – and I had a lot of that to do over the learning years. My mom is a great seamstress, so she taught me and I learned quite a lot from 4-H projects.
My favorite sewing reference for clothes is Sew Smart by Clotilde – it's out of print, but avail. used. I also read the magazine Sewing Saavy for fun. I prefer to sew clothing, but it seems that I only 'get' to quilt for the church (that's because it's on a set day).
My MIL is in a block a month club & I think it sounds like a blast. I'd like to join her at some point – maybe when my Saturday commitments are fewer. Please let us see your handi-work and don't get discouraged if you end up ripping out a few seams!
I would LOVE to be able to quilt, I can’t sew at all. I’m even saving squares and hoping for some time to learn when I retire. I can crochet enough to make simple scarf or blanket. I can knit, very barely. I had a left-handed mother who got frustrated trying to teach me. I can cross-stitch really well, but would love to learn how to embroider. I read my daught all of the Little House on the Prairie books (as well as, read them myself when I was little) That woman, and her hubbie for that matter, could make or do anything!!!! So jealous. I’ve always wanted to pass those skill onto my girls, and my son too, if he wants..
Sorry for the second post! But…if you want religious prints, check out this site (my mom sent it to me): http://www.catholichomeandgarden.com/religious_quilt_fabrics.htm
I have some of these fabrics, purchased locally, and they are beautiful. Just waiting for the right project.
The first project I made was a quilt using Heather Bailey’s pattern. That was about a year and a half ago. I LOOOOOOOVE making quilts!! I’ve made 5 others since (I pick easy quick patterns and make lap sized ones which is why I’ve managed to make so many). And now I love all the beautiful fabrics and drooling over patterns for ANYTHING. I’ve made all kinds of other little things too. It’s so rewarding to have something that you’ve made with your own hands.
I’m not a perfectionist by any means (see even that word is spelt wrong and I know it and I can’t figure out how it really goes!). So if all my seams aren’t perfectly straight or whatever…well that’s MY creativity.
I’d suggest following the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog. It is AWESOME for projects, ideas, fabric (they have a wonderful shop too), anything you want to know about sewing head on over there and they’ll suck you in. That’s how I began!
I learned to do counted cross-stitch as a young child, and I made many a gift, and even did original designs.
But I haven’t cross-stitched anything since I had kids.
I never quilted or crocheted or did any sort of clothing alterations or mending, ever. Some friends took pity on me a couple of years ago and taught me to hand-hem, so I can point to a couple of curtains and pairs of pants I’ve taken a needle to. But usually, I just roll up the kids’ cuffs, and this year when I had to replace my whole wardrobe I said “screw it” and took all the pants and long-sleeved stuff to a tailor for alterations (at 4′ 11″, petites aren’t petite enough).
I was all ready to tell my husband that if he was worried about the cost, HE could hem the pants and shorten the sleeves, but fortunately he did not complain.
There are no rules against making second–or even third–comments, Suzie. 😉
And these have all been great so far! Thank you! You are very encouraging to my inner, angsty, little girl.
Oh yeah, and whenever somebody asks me to make a costume, and construction of a new piece rather than assembly from ready-made clothing seems necessary, I just cut up pieces of fleece and felt and hot glue them together.
I am not handy with a needle at all. The only thing I have ever made was a tutu for my daughter, which was super easy. However, I REALLY want to learn how to quilt. I am sure you will do fine, and if you have any questions you can just give your mom a call. 🙂
I love to sew, But I just wish I had more motivation and time. One good reference for clothes sewing is the Singer sewing book. It has detailed instructions with pictures. My mom and grandmother and aunt all sew wonderfully, so I want to be able to sew like them. Just start small. Patterns like Simplicity with simple seams are the best to start with.
Carrie
My expert seamstress (and expert at ALL things crafty) mother tried my whole childhood to get me interested….I never was. Now, she’s completely baffled and remarks frequently at how hard she tried to inspire me when I was young. I’m late to learn at 35, but I’m so happy to be learning. You will be too!
I am more of a newbie than you at sewing, but I too want to learn! s this an online bee? I would love to know more! Can’t wait to see your progress!
I go totally weak at the knees for anything knitted for babies, but alas when you’ve got one,it is the worst time to find time to knit.
Oh and just in case anyone else’s husbands find these efforts hilarious, I have the perfect antidote on my blog, post titled,’Scoff Not!’
I love to do the quilting part so I work on baby quilts most of the time. I keep them at simple squares sewn by machine. Then I hand quilt. I can do fancier pieces and have done, but I just enjoy the doing, not the planning and cutting and piecing. A needle and thread in my hand just feels right.
I am like you. I am a newbie! I just started knitting, and I long to do other things as well—embroidery, crocheting, quilting, sewing in general. It’s hard to not get overwhelmed (and impatient that I can’t learn fast enough). But one thing at a time, right? My aunt is a lovely seamstress and my grandma knitted beautifully, but I didn’t learn as a young girl, so here I am, kind of like you … God bless your day!
I rely completely on my mother in law (and a little on my mom, who lives further away), who tell me that it’s ok – I can learn when I’m older. I like the idea of learning with my daughters. At age 5 and 6, they’re not interested, yet.
I wish I could quilt–one of the nurses at children’s made me a quilt after my transplant and it’s just beautiful. I would love to learn. I can cross-stitch, but that’s about it. Oh, and make those fleece blankets. 🙂
I am so proud of you!!!!
I would love to learn how to quilt. We have so many quilts that my great-grandmother made, but no one in my family after her learned (yet). I embroider. I learned to do counted cross-stitch as a little girl, but I get bored doing the same stitch, so I like embroidery better. I’m pretty handy with mending/hemming/etc. I’m intimidated by the machine, but I enjoy hand stitching a lot. I can knit, but I don’t like it much for some reason. I tried to learn to crochet, but I absolutely failed. I knew what I was supposed to do, but there was some disconnect between my hands and brain that kept it from working.
That was long and ramble-y, sorry. I admire your learning, and I hope you keep us updated about how it goes!
I can’t wait to see that quilt! The virtual quilting bee sounds like fun. Where did you sign up?
I can sew, knit, cross stitch and sort of crochet. I don’t any of them very well, but I want to. Still a work in progress.
My girls and I are learning to do embroidery together (like Felicity of American Girl fame).
I love to quilt, I am a junkie BUT I am a great starter of projects and a lousy finisher. I have made probably a dozen or more quilts as gifts but not ONE for my own home or immediate family, at least one that I have finished.
I really want to be able to sew some simple clothes like skirts, lounge pants, aprons etc….but am really pattern impaired. I almost decked the lady at the fabric store…”Oh, sewing is so easy, it is just like a puzzle.” AAAHHHHH!!!!! If only that were true!
I made one quilt for my daughter years ago. I hand tied it instead of actually quilting it. I am contemplating another now. I just moved my 2 yr. old into a twin bed, but I can’t find a cute comforter. Plus with another baby on the way, I can’t keep the crib quilt on him much longer.
Well, I don’t do any sort of sewing or needlework, really, but I love to knit! I picked it up a few years ago in college and can’t get enough. Quilting has always sounded really interesting to me, though. Maybe someday!
I have been quite accomplished in my day. but it always starts by getting over involved with a huge project, sometimes I finish!
Margaret, you will do great. Sewing is much easier than you think. I have been sewing since a teenager and have made a couple of small quilts. I can handle the construction part (mostly – if not too complicated) but the creative part is where I melt down. Have you been to a quilt store yet? The scope of fabric choices is mind boggling, and not for the faint of heart. But, boy is that fabric addicting – it is so beautiful! You will have a great time – Enjoy~
I want to learn too. I got myself a sewing machine on sale last year. I managed to put together a costume for my son’s school play (as long as no one looked at the opposite side it was OK). I’ve also actually sewed on Scout patches.
But I need to learn how to properly use this machine and then move on to making something useful.
Quilting sounds fascinating. I’m looking forward to hearing about your progress with the quilting. Maybe it will inspire me and I’ll learn too.
I’m going to be checking for all the comments with suggestions on how to learn. I can’t run a straight seam yet!
I know how to mend with the sewing machine and know how to sew straight lines, but long to sew beautiful things like you…or have you seen Small Treasures beautiful little girl dresses? I’d love to learn how to do that!!
I’m proud of you, you will do great!!
Margaret lets me post 3 comments here all the time, she’s like that, she loves the comments!!!
🙂
good for you!
there’s no better way to get your feet wet than by jumping in.
as for resources…i just let the spirit move me or you could look at books and stuff, so that you actually do it correctly!
happy sewing=)
I’d like to recommend:
http://www.quiltinaday.com
for the quilting wanna-be’s and novices.
Eleanor gives great directions, her books are widely available and easy to understand. She has dozens of easy patterns. The fabric she sells is gorgeous and high quality. If you so desire you can buy kits at the site fopr specific quilts with the fabric already cut to the correct yardage and color coordinated
I’d recommend you start with something really small like a runner or a pillow. Also, you’ll eliminate 90% of your quilting frustrations if you measure, cut, and sew accurately. A square that’s just a little bigger doesn’t seem like a problem until you try to assemble 20 not-quite-the-same squares into a quilt. The resources I’d recommend are “Quilts from the Quiltmaker’s Gift” and “More Quilts from the Quiltmaker’s Gift.” Both have lots of inspiration, good instructions, and details about how much fabric to buy. I also like the Encyclopedia of Classic Quilt Patterns.
You can do this. I know you can. Take a deep breath and exhale…and then just keep it simple. It will be beautifully you.
Hi Margaret
Yes, yes, yes! I am a lover of all things textile and quilted and appliqued but I can only just sew a very wobbly straight line. I admire your determination to give it a go. Can’t wait to see the quilt (or the first block) finished.
Cheers – Joolz
I used to quilt when I was a young teenager – it was fun to do with a group around a giant quilt that everyone was working on together… (yes, everyone else had bluish-grey hair, but I’ve always gotten along better with women my grandmother’s age). Now I pretty much stick with knitting (and crochet at times) — I love to knit teddy-bears – even if they aren’t very practical. 🙂 I would love to learn to actually sew clothes someday – especially since I hate shopping and can never find clothing I like anyway – but fabric is to expensive to “learn” on at this point – if you know what I mean. Someday though I would love to be as handy with a sewing machine as I am with knitting needles. (I suppose I’ll have to get over my intense fear of electric sewing machines first though.) 🙂
~Jenny