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Quilting Questions Answered - The Basics of Quilting, Patterns, Frames, Machines and Books

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 58 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

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Quilting Questions Answered

 

Quilting and Patchwork using fabric, wadding, thread and not a little love is both an Art and a Craft which has delighted mankind for millenia as well as keeping us warm and cosy. We Quilters browse our books, search out patterns, source supplies, visit shops, buy fabric, get out our quilting machine and our quilting frame, scissors, cutters and needles and settle down to an orgy of creative cutting and sewing using as many techniques as we can to make the finished Quilt an item to treasure, an heirloom for our families and friends to use and enjoy generation after generation.

This lens and it's companion Quilting With Friends, and others yet to come will answer all your questions about Quilting - the techniques, the patterns, the supplies you need, all the 'how to' questions you can think of and much more besides. Even if you don't quilt there is lots for you to see and find out - Quilters are friendly folk and we share our lives with each other and pour it all into our Quilts so that they tell a story that will capture your heart and delight your mind.

I hope you enjoy looking at the Quilts I have made and that you enjoy this lens.  If so, please rate it whilst your here as well, just click on the (5th!) star - tell me what you think.screen resolution stats

What is a Quilt? 

A Quilt in it's most basic form is a covering made of layers which have been stitched together to provide warmth. Quilting is a craft, according to Kathleen Guerrier in her excellent book,The Encyclopedia of Quilting and Patchwork Techniques, which was "born of necessity and has progressed to a highly decorative Art form". You can use new or recycled fabrics and materials, specialist tools or just a basic sewing kit. Once you have those essentials you can apply any one of a number of techniques to create your Quilt.

 

These books - some of my favourites - will tell you more about Quilting and Patchwork in general terms - you can find lots more Quilting Books here at The Quilter's Emporium

Complete Guide to Quilting (Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection)

This book covers all aspects of quilting from designing quilt blocks and appliquéing to binding and finishing, giving quilters the tools to tackle any project with confidence. It is ideal for the Novice and takes you through to the more complex projects without losing you on the way.

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/20/2008)

Quilting The Complete Guide

I love this book - it is full of easy-to-understand instructions with loads of color photos and illustrations, and tips for improving your skills. The perfect gift for any quilter.

Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 07/20/2008)

Kaffe Fassett's Kaleidoscope of Quilts

This book is a real inspiration with wonderful photos and ideas to spark you off - and the colours........

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/20/2008)

Anatomy of a Quilt 

A Quilt is a sandwich made up of layers of fabric, traditionally three. The 'Top' is usually a highly decorative piece of fabric - patchwork, applique or wholecloth are the most common. In the middle is wadding, or batting which is made from a variety of material and this is what provides the warmth. The backing is usually Calico or Cotton. Some Quilters (including me!) now use a fourth layer of decorative fabric on the back. It hides all the 'not so even' work and gives another chance to use all the gorgeous fabrics that are around.

The Quilting Stitches hold the layers together and are usually highly decorative patterns done by machine or by hand. Finally a binding is used to enclose the raw edges and can often be a decorative feature in itself. The photo shows a quilt in construction and you can see all the layers.

 

These are some of my favourite places for sourcing fabrics, wadding and thread - or you can look at The Quilter's Emporium for more ideas.


Joann.com
Jo-Ann.com
have a great range of fabrics and supplies and you can often get free shipping which means all the more to spend on fabric!!


 FREE SHIPPING from Fabric.com
Another favourite of mine is Fabric.com
- they offer some wonderful fabrics at discount prices - often up to 40% and they also have free shipping.

 

eBay is a great source of fabrics, often pre-cut

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eBay

What Do You Need to Start Quilting and Patchwork? 

Not as much as you might think

What you need in order to start quilting is, in all truth, very little. There are all sorts of fancy gadgets and gizmos to indulge the Shopaholic in you - you can look here to see just a few (I'm steadily building up my collection)

Materials - you need some fabric for the Top, Wadding or Batting, Calico or Cotton Sheeting for the back and some quilting thread. Whilst everything else is OK to use recycled, don't skimp on your thread - it will ruin all your hard work if the thread gives way!

Equipment - again fairly simple. A good pair of Scissors or a Rotary Cutter and Mat, a fabric pen or marker of some sort, long pins, Beeswax, Quilting Needles, a good tape measure, a rule, a thimble if you use one and patience - if anyone knows where I can buy that I'd really like a 'heads up'!

 


Basic Sewing Kit

This is a really good basic Sewing Kit and one I'd recommend to anyone as it has all the basics you need and comes in a good container. Needles, scissors, thimble, tape measure, pin cushion, pins - it's all there.




Gutermann Hand Quilting Thread Caddy - 64 Colors

I would love to have one of these - I keep dropping hints to my dearly beloved and I'm hopeful that with a birthday coming up it may just appear ......

What is Patchwork and What is Quilting 

Yes - there is a difference!

Patchwork and Quilting are two terms which are often run together and it never ceases to surprise me how many people are not aware of the difference between them.

Patchwork, or Piecing, is the bit that makes everyone think we are mad! We cut up whole pieces of fabric into lots of tiny pieces - and then we sew them back together again! They do go back together in a different order to create patterns, often repeated in block, until we have a 'Top' the size required. Sometimes we add 'Sashing' or dividing strips between the blocks to emphasize the pattern.

Quilting is the bit that joins the layers of a quilt together, usually using decorative patterns to show off the patchwork. First we 'ditch', sewing into the seams between the pieces to outline the pattern, then we use decorative patterns in the sashing and the borders which serves a number of purposes. First, and most important it ties the layers together, secondly it enhances the beauty of the patterns and fabrics, thirdly it shows off our wonderful neat stitching and gives us time to sit and chat while we do it!

 

There are all sorts of templates and stencils you can get to help with your patchwork and quilting - accuracy is essential when piecing. I've put a couple of my favourites here but you can look at more here




Omnigrid® Ruler Set


There are loads of different Rules for cutting your fabric but Omnigrid are my preferred ones because they don't slip like so many others can.



Quilt Stencil

I tend to use stencils for my quilting patterns as it keeps it more accurate and looks better than if I try and do it by eye.

Flaming Lacer's Quilting 

Examples of My Work

These are photos of some of the Quilts I have made - you can find out the methods, techniques and materials I used by visiting these lenses The Quilters Emporium, Quilting 101 and Quilting With Friends

Pretty in Pink by flaminglacer

Pretty in Pink

Drunkards Path by flaminglacer

Drunkards Path

Quilters Christmas by flaminglacer

Quilters Christmas

Iris Stained Glass Window Hanging by flaminglacer

Iris Stained Glass W...

Gold Work Butterfly by flaminglacer

Gold Work Butterfly

Butterfly Gold Work Box by flaminglacer

Butterfly Gold Work...

Quilting Close Up by flaminglacer

Quilting Close Up

Topeka Cushions by flaminglacer

Topeka Cushions

Quilting Patterns 

There are more patterns for Quilt Tops than I can begin to cover here - Four Patch, Nine Patch, Drunkards Path, Mariners Star, Attic Window, Tumbling Blocks Wedding Ring, Clamshell, Cathedral Window for starters. After that you have all the patterns created by Applique, Shadow Quilting, Trapunto - the list is endless. There are loads of patterns available to cover every skill level, many of them freely available on the web. The most thumbed book in my library is The Quilting Sourcebook which I like because of its clear instructions.

 

These are some more of my favourites - again you can find more good books on The Quilter's Book Store

One-Block Wonders: One Fabric, One Shape, One-of-a-Kind Quilts

Really quick patterns that go together like a dream, brilliant if you want to make a quick gift

Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 07/20/2008)

A New Twist on Strips n' Curves: Featuring Swirl, Half Clamshell, Free-Form Curves & Srips n' Circles

Curves are never the easiest of things to do, but this gives a whole new slant on them and makes it much easier

Amazon Price: $16.17 (as of 07/20/2008)

Magic Stack-N-Whack Quilts

I love this - a really good book that shows you how to be economical with fabric too

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/20/2008)

Quilting Pattern Links 

Some of these are free, some are not but they are all worth looking at. If you know of any good pattern links please feel free to add them to this list for everyone to enjoy and vote for the one you like best.

Quilt Patterns and Free Quilting Ideas at AllCrafts.net!

AllCrafts.net - Free Crafts Network&am more...2 points

Free Quilt Patterns

Free Quilt Patterns listing with over 1000 sites a more...2 points

The Quilter's Cache - Marcia Hohn's free quilt patterns!

A quilting site with hundreds of free patterns.2 points

Amy Butler Design

There are some FANTASTIC free patterns here2 points

Free Quilt Patterns

Free Quilt Patterns listing with over 1000 sites a more...2 points

Block Central's Quilting Forum

Probably one of the friendliest forums I've come a more...1 point

Stitches - The Best in Quilting, Knitting and Needle Arts

Shop Stitches for a wide selection of art quilt pa more...1 point

Elementary Quilts

People that choose to make quilts for a living can more...1 point

BJ Reed Quilts 2005

BJ Reed Piecemaking Quilts0 points

-- BOM Quilts --

Block of the Month Quilts for Every Quilter0 points

Free Quilt Patterns | Free Quilting Patterns| Beginner Quilting

Free quilt patterns and free quilting lessons0 points

Head Scissors

The most basic way to start collecting tools is to more...0 points

What Colours Should I Use in my Quilt? 

Choosing colours for your quilt is never easy and I do like to have some idea of what I am looking for before I go shopping for fabric. I came across this neat tool at www.paintquality.com which not only explains colour theory but lets you play and choose suitable colours as well. You can get the whole thing here but this shows you what it looks like.


color wheel

Quilts For Kids - please read this if you read nothing else on this lens 

Quilts for Kids is a Charity which makes beautiful quilts for kids with a variety of problems. I make no apology for lifting text straight from their Website. Please visit and support them if you can.

"Our Mission: To keep expensive fabric out of our landfills and bring happiness to children through the simple gift of a handmade quilt.

Our Goal: To link design centers globally with their communities, so that children in need will be served within their own region.

Our Progress: 50+ chapters in 29 states plus the Carribbean (and counting!) Nearly 40,000 quilts donated so far."

Please Support Them and Visit Quilts for Kids - Thank You

Share Your Quilt Tales - or Just Your Tales 

Sit and Chat a while

What do you think about Quilts, Quilting - the whole 'cut fabric up just to sew it back together' thing - let me know what you think of this lens and what else you would like to see here or at any of our other quilting lenses - Quilting With Friends, The Quilting Emporium, Quilting 101

Retha

I am a new quilter & I have a question. I am doing the 3 rail. I have all me squares ready to sew together. What do you do with the 1/2 inch when turning the rail pattern to sew. it doesn't match

Posted July 08, 2008

simplyshawn

I'm new at sewing and at creating a quilt. On the front of this book "Quilting: The Complete Guide" is the star I'm having so much trouble with. First, can you tell me what the stars name? Second, I'm trying to find simple instructions on how to construct it. Can you help me?

The block I'm making starts with the star on the front of the book above and then I add a log cabin around it. I love it. Can't wait to finish it. Thanks for your help.

Posted May 02, 2008

dawnorton

Thanks for the post, it was very informative. Have you ever sewn slip covers? I learned how to at http://www.allaboutslipcovers.com

Posted April 18, 2008

Mickeylayne

This is fabulous! Coming back to read in more depth! Thanks for such a great lens!

Posted April 09, 2008

Wounderful source of Information! If You would like to know more about
Free Booksand how to get them, Please Go Here

Posted March 25, 2008

 
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Quilting Frames 

If you get serious about your quilting - and you will, there are a few tools and pieces of equipment that are worth investing in. I love my frame - I should say frames really, as I have more than one! They keep the fabric even and flat whilst you work your magic with the quilting needle, and I do like the free standing ones as they keep the quilt off your lap whilst you are working so you don't get too warm!

Quilters 18'' Hoop Wonder Stand

This is a really practical frame - big enough to do most blocks but doesn't take up acres of room

Amazon Price: $85.00 (as of 07/20/2008)

Grace EZ3 3 Rail Quilting Frame - FF-EZ3

I dream of a frame like this one - I've seen them in action and they just make it so easy

Amazon Price: $299.99 (as of 07/20/2008)

Tag-A-Long Floor Frame-Folds To 6"x6"x36"

This frame was recommended to me by friends who swear by it - mainly because it folds so small

Amazon Price: $149.99 (as of 07/20/2008)

24'' Quilting Ratchet Frame

This is small and easily portable - great for going to classes

Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/20/2008)

Storing Quilting Fabric and Tools 

What's the best way?

Thread Box
Storing your quilting fabric and tools properly really does help produce a better finished Quilt. You can always lay your hands on the right bit of fabric or just the gadget you need at the moment you need it. I try to store all my fabric as flat as possible, you don't want horrid semi-permanent creases right across the piece you are just about to use. I generally use the 'Under Bed' storage boxes you can get in loads of different shops, and sort the fabrics into them by colour - I can always find what I want them. My latest find is a fantastic Thread Storage Box
not only does it keep them tidy, but I can see the colours through the box and you can draw them from the reel through the lid so they stay clean and tidy.

ArtBin® Sew-N-Go ToteKeeping your tools, templates and so on together is essential in my mind, otherwise you end up losing them under piles of stuff and maybe even throwing away your scissors with the rubbish - Disaster! I like something that you can also use to take your projects to class or your quilting group like this one which will hold just about everything except the actual made up quilt.

Online Quilting Information 

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Caring For Your Quilt 

I don't believe in making or having beautiful things just to put them in a drawer and hide them away. Quilts are investment of love and time and deserve to be well used and well treated. They are remarkably robust and will handle any amount of use but they do need to be washed properly. Antique Quilts should be professionally cleaned - end of story! Modern quilts can generally be washed by machine if it (the machine that is) is big enough, otherwise wash them gently in the bath and rinse them with the shower attachment before spreading them over the top of a Rotary Dryer to dry - I never hang mine.

To display the Quilts you are not using there are any number of beautiful racks and hangers - I would recommend that you visit Margaret Schaut's excellent lens on Amish Quilt Racks, Quilt Shelves and Quilt Clamps - they are beautiful.

Keep In Touch 

What Goes On in Flaming Lacer's World

If you want to be kept up to date with changes to the lens or with what's new in Flaming Lacer's World (a very interesting place - believe me), sign up for our newsletter. We won't bombard you with thousands of emails and we will NEVER share your address.

You can click here to fill in a simple form or send a blank email here

Our mailing lists are managed by aweber, the industry leader in mailing list management and you can be assured that your email address is safely guarded.>

Hand Or Machine Quilting 

Which is for You?

Quilts can be made by using a sewing machine or by hand sewing. There are those who swear by one and won't touch the other but most of us tend to use a mixture of the two. I have made whole Quilts by hand, but I have to say it is an experience I am unlikely to repeat unless there is a very good reason - why? Too much time doing the piecing when I was desperate to get on with the actual quilting.

My preferred method is to piece the Quilt Top by machine and then Hand Quilt. That way I get the straightforward sewing needed to sew all the patchwork pieces out of the way and I can concentrate on the more elaborate and decorative Quilting Stitches using the freedom of hand stitching. It also makes the work portable when I want to take it to Class or on holiday or such like.




An Even Feed or Walking Foot
which feeds the fabric through in such a way that the layers stay together and do not slip is a necessity if you want to use a sewing machine to do some of the quilting. Most domestic machines will cope with a foot like this. If you don't have one you run the risk of the layers slipping which will result in uneven and rucked Quilts.

The only limitation of a domestic machine is the size of work you can manipulate. If you want to do anything large all in one piece you will need a long arm quilting machine and a frame which is a major investment. There are people who will do machine quilting for you - or perhaps you could set up a business doing the quilting for people in your area! I can think of worse ways to earn a few dollars!

 

There are a variety of machines you can use - my wish list grows every day!

Brother XL2610 Free-Arm Sewing Machine with 25 Built-In Stitches and 59 Stitch Functions

This is the new model of the machine I have, reliable, hardworking - and I wouldn't be without it!

Amazon Price: $119.99 (as of 07/20/2008)

Shark 80-Stitch Sewing Machine with Bonus Quilting Table - 7133

This machine is great because it has the bigger table which make quilting much easier.

Amazon Price: $149.99 (as of 07/20/2008)

Simplicity SW240 Quilters Classic Sewing Machine with Free Bonus Walking/Motion Feet

This is the wish list machine - it just has everything!

Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)

Long Arm Quilting Machines 



If you are serious about machine quilting then you need a long arm machine or a system that will enable you to move the machine across the piece of work whilst it is mounted on a large frame. There are a number of different systems available - you can even convert your own machine into the equivalent of a long arm quilter by mounting it onto a rail system. Personally I've never owned one, but I have tried them out and there are advantages if you want to do a lot of very dense quilting on what are sometimes known as Art Quilts.

Long Arm Quilting Machines are an expensive hobby, but the Grace Sturdy Lite Rail System is quite a reasonable alternative and it will work with machines up to a 13 inch throat with no trouble at all, so you can have the best of both worlds!

Quilts To See 

I liked this - a young man of 21 made this video of a Quilt Exhibition at his school for his Mum to see - ahhh....... if only they were all that thoughtful - and there are some lovely Quilts.

Cool Quilts for my mom to see

i took this at my school they're having a little show or something but i thought some of the quilts were pretty cool

Runtime: 5:59
2643 views
5 Comments:

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Teacher's Tips 

What Jackie says....

I am very fortunate to have a wonderful Quilting Teacher, Jackie, who guides us in our struggles to improve our skills and is generous in sharing her knowledge so I thought I would share some of her favourite tips with you. You can see her, smiling broadly as always, in the photo as we set up our recent exhibition.

1 - Don't sweat the small stuff! Life is too short to be over critical - especially of yourself.

2 - Always use beeswax on your quilting thread, it makes the thread stronger but more important (especially if you are visually challenged like me!) it makes your needle easier to thread.

3 - When you have washed your calico backing fabric to shrink it, put it in the freezer whilst it is wet and iron it from frozen - the creases come out quickly and it's easier to handle

4 - When you are making a bag - and quilter's love bags - always think about what you are going to use it for and make sure you plan all the different compartments and pockets that you need BEFORE you make it up.

Are You Enjoying This Lens? 

If you are enjoying this lens perhaps you want to bookmark it so you can come back and see the new things that appear on a regular basis or add it to your Lensroll if it fits in with your lens' themes. Maybe you'd like to join Squidoo and share your hobbies and interests with us all.



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Quilts, Quilting, Patchwork, Quilting Questions Answered, Quilting Machines, Free Quilting Patterns, Quilting Books, Quilting Frames, How To Quilt

Tips and Tricks For Quilters 

Share Your Best Tips and Tricks

Eat Cake with Flaming LacerThis group discussion is here so we can share our tips and tricks - I haven't quite worked out how we can have cyber tea and cake yet, but I'm still trying! In the meantime - here's a photo of the sort of cakes I'd love to share with you!

Faye

I am looking for a 12" block that looks like a pinwheel, but the triangles look like they go under the next one. I only saw this once and have no idea of its name. Can anyone help

Posted March 30, 2008

Karendelac

What a lovely skill to possess. Thanks for putting together such a great lens! Keep up the great work!
All the Best, Karen at Karen's Kinkade Art Store

Posted July 09, 2007

JonitasKalimpo

Good informative lens, indeed a good job, flaminglacer. Voted 5stars ;) Feel free to visit my lens, if you want.

Posted June 26, 2007

TheresaMarkham

I quilt and sew with a lint roller nearby. That's where I put all the snipped threads. Keeps me as sane as a quilter-mom-wife-lawyer-author-Squidoo-er can be :)

Posted May 09, 2007

Elswhere

How about keeping your M Ms or minstrels in cup? That way you can 'drink' your chocolates without getting your hands, or your quilt, sticky?

Don't know how well it would work for cake though!

Posted April 21, 2007

 
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Good Things To Look At 

This is where there will be lots of Sites for you to look at for inspiration - Enjoy! Don't forget to add your favourites

PaulaNadelstern.com

Beautiful Quilts2 points

Evesham Piecemakers Quilting Group

Look at Our Exhibition Photos2 points

CYNTHIA MALETZ : quilts

I really enjoyed looking at these2 points

Thirteen Moons Gallery

Some beautiful Art Quilts2 points

Rose Rushbrook

Art Quilts - fantastic ideas2 points

Roberta Horton: Lectures-Quilts

Wonderful Fabrics1 point

Jane Sassaman Quilt Gallery

Some unusual fabrics used here1 point

Kameleon Quilts

These have some 3D elements - worth looking at1 point

Quilt Galleries - Sarah Ann Smith

Really unusual quilts to look at1 point

Virginia Abrams - Art Quilts -'Ginny' Abrams

I love the flowing movement on these quilts1 point

Genome Quilts

Quilts based on human genome - fascinating design more...1 point

Beaded Art Quilts

These are something very special1 point

CQA HomePage

Washington contemporary quilt artists display thei more...0 points

Crafts and Hobbies on Squidoo 

Come and Join Us

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A Patchwork Of Information 

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