Furthermore, Merriam-Webster defines to quilt as (1b) to stitch, sew, or cover with lines or patterns like those used in quilts. (2) to stich (designs) through layers of cloth, (c) to fasten between two pieces of material,
There are several types of quilts: wholecloth quilts, appliqued quilts, watercolor quilts, and patchwork or pieced quilts are just a few examples.
- Wholecloth Quilts - quilts constructed of a large single piece of fabric (typically white) where the stitches (quilting) make the actual design
- Appliqued Quilts - one or more pieces are sewn to a larger background (usually solid) by hand or machine.
- Watercolor Quilts - quilts with an artistic expression where several different pieces of fabric (usually light to dark) then cut into patterns are used to make a design such as a painting design. Sometimes referred to as a jig-saw puzzle quilt
- Patchwork or Pieced Quilt -quilts constructed by piecing together "blocks" or sections made from smaller pieces of fabric selections creating different designs/patterns.
Each week I will introduce a new block style to build upon your skill level. Now, please understand some of you may have pieced quilt blocks together before or may be more experienced at sewing than some of our other friends. To give everyone ample opportunity to develop their skills, we will begin with simple block designs and then progress into more challenging designs as our project continues.
To provide practice and skill development, you will construct two blocks from each pattern. One block you will keep and the second block you will send to your "Block Buddy" for their Friendship Sampler. Due to everyone's busy time schedules and differences in learning abilities, you will be given two full weeks to complete each block design and to send one along to your "Block Buddy". Please remember that in order for this project to work, each person must be willing to abide by the program. We definitely don't want anyone to be short on blocks! In the event of illness or emergency and you find yourself behind schedule, please don't just drop out of the project...talk with me and we will get something worked out. Deal?
Project materials and the postage to mail your block to your "block buddy" are at your own expense. That being said, take advantage of coupons and sales at your local fabric shops! One of my favorite places to go each weekend is JoAnn Fabrics. I must admit, I am in LOVE iwth fabric and never miss a Sunday trip to JoAnns! if you have an android smart phone you can download the JoAnns app on your phone which will provide you with coupons and sales info. You can also sign up to be on their mailing list and email list where you will also recieve multiple coupons. I love coupons!
(Okay ladies, are you ready to dust off those Singer sewing machines, roll up your sleeves, and get started?
Me too, but first a few basics to get us started on the right foot!
I am going to assume, unless you tell me otherwise, that each of you are familiar with at least the basic operation of your sewing machines. If you aren't please take a moment to read your owners manual and learn about the functions of your machine.
Let's talk about selecting fabrics for the project
I firmly believe that quilting is an art form and as with all art forms, it is an expression of individual taste and characteristics. That being said, all fabric selections are at your own discretion. But, please remember that you will be sharing a block with another. Please no obscene or offensive designs (not that any of you would). Suggested fabrics for a sampler include small to medium floral prints, calicos, ginghams, solids, and small to medium print designs. Some block designs can accomodate larger prints. I will point those designs out as we move along.
When selecting fabric for our projects choose high-quality, medium-weight 100% cotton fabrics. All-cotton fabrics hold a crease better, fray less, and are easier to quilt than cotton/polyester blends. For each week's lesson, you will need no more than a quarter of a yard of each fabric required to complete the block. Fat Quarters are perfect for sampler quilts and run approximately $1.99 each (at JoAnns) but often times depending on the price per yard of fabric you can have a quarter of a yard cut from a bolt for around $1.00-$2.00 per cut.
Project yardage requirements are based on a 44"-45" width.
Care should always be given when working with brightly colored fabric and many suggest that all fabrics be washed, dried, and pressed before cutting and piecing. In my experience I have found that quilts that are made from fabrics that have not been prewashed are prone to shrinkage and have a more "antiqued" look when washed. Bright and dark colored fabrics should always be washed, dried, and ironed prior to cutting to prevent bleeding onto other fabrics within your quilts.
Ready to hit the fabric store? I know I am!
Let's talk about cutting
Precise cutting followed by accurate piecing is a MUST in quilting. Just as the pieces of a puzzle are put together, so are the pieces of a quilt block and eventually a quilt.
Rotary cutting is common with today's quilters and provides a fast and accurate method of cutting to quilters by allowing them to easily cut strips of fabric and then cut those strips into smaller pieces. Rotarty cutting uses a rotary cutter (very sharp and resembles a small pizza cutter), a cutting mat, and a straight edge guide. If you are experiened with rotary cutting and have the essential items needed, please feel free to use this method.
Another option for cutting is the tested, tried, and true method of using a template and cutting fabric manually. This is the method we will use for our project. Template cutting requires a pattern piece be pinned to your fabric and then cut. Pattern pieces are easily made using Microsoft Word but to keep things relatively simple and painfree, and to make sure we are all using the same scale templates, I will email each of you the pattern template each week. THAT BEING SAID, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT JANWEST67@GMAIL.COM YOUR CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS so that I can email the pattern templates to you. You can then print them at home using your home printers. I will use Microsoft Word to email these. Please let me know if you are unable to open documents in Word.
Beginning with our first block, I will illustrate how to properly place your template and cut your fabric. Remember, the key to success in quilting is precise cutting and accurate seams!
Do you feel as if you are on information overload?
I think for today we are nearing a good stopping point. But before we do stop for today, I want to give you a little information on our first block! I am so excited to begin this project with you on Sunday! For our first block we will be combining simple 4 1/2 inch squares with half square triangles to make beautiful Hour Glass Quilt Block. This block will teach you the fundamentals of simple piecing and how to turn two blocks into striking half block triangles for a great look! These are basic applications which will be used to construct more complex block designs in the future. For this block you will need three colors/patterns of fabric that work well together. Remember, small to medium prints, solids, florals are recommended for your blocks and no more than a quarter of a yard of each fabric will be needed to complete the required two blocks.
Don't forget to email me your correct email addresses and also your street address so that I can begin pairing you with your Block Buddy.
Time to frolick in the fabric ladies!!!!
Love & Stitches,
Jan
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