Constructing a quilt takes patience and precision, because there is a great amount of stitching to be done and that stitching has to be neat, straight and even. The material itself requires measuring and cutting and that is to say nothing of choosing and buying the material itself and the batting or stuffing.
You could leave out the stuffing if you want your quilt to be a duvet cover, but more on that later. In this piece we will take a low-level look at how to make a quilt.
The first step in making a quilt is designing it. You can do this yourself, but if you are a novice, it would be easier to select a quilt pattern from a craft shop or craft web site. You ought to attempt to train your mind to envisage the final product, the completed quilt. Some people have this ability naturally, but I think that it can be learned.
Do you want a plain quilt or a patterned one? Do you want a patchwork quilt? Patchwork quilts are more difficult than only using three sheets of cloth, obviously, but otherwise the principle is the same.
Once you have bought your cloth, wash it as you usually would, dry it and iron it. Cotton is nice and easy for the beginner, you can move on to other fabrics later.
Once you have your design or pattern and you have your cloth, you will need to begin measuring and cutting. Now, it is a good tip here to get some decent tools. You could make a quilt with your son’s school ruler and a pair of kitchen scissors, but you would be making things hard for yourself.
Ideally, you require a long, at least three feet, plastic rule and a equivalent size metal rule. You need a rotary cutter, which looks like a pizza cutter, dress-makers’ scissors and a pair of shears. Never use these cutting instruments for anything but quilt or dress making and never, ever cut paper with them. You will also require a substantial sheet of plywood to lay on your table, so that the rotary cutter does not score it.
You will also need quilter’s pencils for marking the cuts. There are various kinds on the market ranging from chalk to lead to soapstone. You will also require pins and needles and thread. When you have these tools and accessories you are clear to baste. Instructions on this will be with your pattern. There is a device to help you do the pinning, because your fingers can get fairly sore after a while. Do not pin your quilt to the carpet.
Quilting is the process of sewing the three layers, the patterned quilt top, the batting or padding and the backing together. This can be done by hand or by machine. Sewing by hand is conventional, but sewing by machine is more substantial. and faster. Then you are clear to do the binding. This also assists to give your quilt a professional look. If you want a duvet cover, you do not need batting and you can not quilt the fabric.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with king size duvets. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at Modern Throw Pillows For Sale.