10 Steps to make a quilt 1st Blog
Want to learn a new skill, you could make this quilt with only knowing how to sew in straight lines.... Really! (there were a few curvy lines on the quilting but they were pretty easy.)
Simple steps
Step 1. Choose your fabrics.
Choosing a selection that you really like. Colours that compliment each other or contrasting colours.
This time I went for subtle colours, which if you knew me are a real change.
I sat with these fabrics on my desk for a couple of days until I felt really happy with them (one was removed from this set which did not seem to match the others.)
Step 2. Choose a pattern that you want to make or design your own pattern. I very rarely follow a pattern, but this time I did (sort of) It is called Heartwood designed by Lynne Goldsworthy of lilysquilts.blogspot.com
I did not follow all the instructions totally as I have never yet followed a recipe or pattern without tweaking it a bit.
Step 3. Cut out your fabric as detailed on the pattern. I also taped a sample of each fabric onto a piece of paper with a number next to each one so I can refer to it later.
Step 4. Sew the pieces together. The fun bit for me. I love seeing the patchwork grew and grew. I decided to fix this quilt in blocks rather than doing a full top and then quilting as I am not that experienced at quilting a full sized top together yet.
Step 5. Sandwich the quilt together. I cut the backing and the batting a couple of inches wider than the top so that if there is any movement during the quilting stage there is enough backing and batting.
Step 6. Quilt each row. I used the walking foot to do soft curves along the strips. I wanted to add movement to all the squares and blocks.
Step 7. Trim and join the now quilted blocks.
I joined the quilted strips in pairs then pairs again until I had one large piece.
Sewing the tops together face to face and then hand stitch the join on the backing fabric.
OOOPS
I made a bit of a miscalculation with the fabric I used for joining the squares together (the white one with the little flowers) and did not have enough for the sides of the quilt block so I used one of the fabrics from the main pattern to go around the whole quilt.
Step 8. Trim the quilt and bind it. I love seeing the binding go on. It gives you such a sense of achievement.
Step 9. Snuggle down with your lovely new finished quilt, or wrap it up as a gift for someone special.
Step 10. Contact me - If you want the pattern I used or if you would like to make it with me if you live locally then please contact me.
How to get in touch with Alex O'Hara's Quilts
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