Crafty Places » Quilting http://www.craftyplaces.com Craft Ideas and Lots More Sun, 03 Aug 2008 01:09:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 en Tips For Beginner Quilters http://www.craftyplaces.com/964/tips-for-beginner-quilters/ http://www.craftyplaces.com/964/tips-for-beginner-quilters/#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:14:31 +0000 craftytips http://www.craftyplaces.com/964/tips-for-beginner-quilters/ For those still learning the craft of quilting, it is best to start with small projects that are easier and faster to complete. Some simple items perfect for beginner quilting are pillow covers, table runners, or wall hangings.

Most quilters choose 100% cotton for their quilting fabric because it is easier to quilt, strong, and maintains its shape and color. For your batting, it will be easier to use a thin material. Batting is the fabric of layer in between the top and back layers of a quilt. You can use cotton, silk, wool, polyester or blends. When stitching the seams, always keep it ¼ inch and do your best to make them even all around.

When picking out the color of your quilt, consider who will be using the quilted item and the mood you want to set when that person uses the quilt. Warm colors such as red, yellow and orange create a feeling of alertness while cool colors like blue and earth tones are soothing and calming. Use cool colors for bedroom quilts and brighter or warmer colors for quilted wall hangings in areas where you receive guests. One important tip in choosing your quilting fabric is to make sure that it is colorfast.

Comprehensive Business Guide Shows You How To Start, Run, And Market A Successful Quilt

Once you have a design in mind and have your fabrics ready, it is time to cut them. A helpful tool for beginner quilting is a quilting template, which is a material usually made of cardboard or paper pre-cut in a particular shape. These templates allow quick cutting of several pieces for easy quilting. They are ideal if you want to cut fabrics in other shapes besides the regular rectangle or square. Using easy blocks for beginner quilting is great to get familiar with the basic ideas and techniques of quilting including how colors work together. When cutting, make sure to use sharp scissors for easy cutting and to avoid ruining the edges of the fabric.

Another thing to consider in beginner quilting is whether you will choose hand quilting or machine quilting. Quilting by hand will of course take more time than using a quilting machine or a sewing machine. Hand quilters, however, argue that hand-quilted items are more special because of the time and attention given to them. In this regard, the choice is up to the person. Whichever you choose, the important thing is to enjoy what you are doing.

Certainly, there are other considerations in quilting especially for beginner quilting. There are many resources available out there and many expert quilters are more than willing to give you more tips and advice. Learn as much as you can about quilting and in no time, you will be quilting just like any pro.

Quilting Resources For Beginners:

Equilters

Mcall's Quilting Always A great Place to Start

Some Great Examples of Quilts:

Quilt Block Samples

Tags

, , , ,

]]> http://www.craftyplaces.com/964/tips-for-beginner-quilters/feed/ The Pros and Cons of a Long Arm Quilting Machine http://www.craftyplaces.com/859/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-long-arm-quilting-machine/ http://www.craftyplaces.com/859/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-long-arm-quilting-machine/#comments Wed, 23 May 2007 05:40:36 +0000 anissa http://www.craftyplaces.com/859/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-long-arm-quilting-machine/ After having quilted my fair share of twin and king size quilts, I recognized the need for having an easier and less time consuming way to finish my quilts. Almost anyone who is seriously into quilting wishes they had a long arm quilting machine. These industrial sized machines allow you to quilt blankets easier and faster. There are a lot of things to consider before purchasing a long arm quilting machine. Many of these machines can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Anyone who does this for a living or does it because they are passionate about the craft, is aware that this is a worthy investment. Of course, most quilting businesses use this machine because of the great efficiency it has and allows a quilter to finish large quilts in a few weeks instead of months.
 
Long arm quilting machines have frames that can go up to 14 feet wide. The frame secures the sewing machine, which glides along a track as it quilts. The machine has three poles that hold the quilt in a stationary position. Because of the size, a quilter can easily work on large projects with less the effort and energy. As the machine quilts, the quilt rolls up conveniently preventing it from bunching.
 
The reach provided by the machine’s long arm offers great support for the quilt and at the same time allows the quilter to move and rotate the quilt freely. This also enables the quilter to create practically any pattern from simple to intricate designs.
 
The long arm quilting machine does not do all the work, even though it greatly aids in the amount of time and work that is required. The quilter must manually guide the machine as it quilts. If you are considering long arm quilting you need to prepare yourself to stand up for long hours in order to hand-guide the machine. Or break up the time in order to save yourself from having to finish it all at once.
 
Because of the speed and ease that a long arm quilting machine offers, many die hard quilters consider purchasing one. Because these machines are quite expensive it makes sense to get one only if you do a lot of quilting, or if you will use this as a source of income.

Be sure to shop around before making your purchase. Make sure that you look at as many as possible and that you are able to find one that will best suit your needs. There are several brands available in the market with different features. Learn about each of these brands and compare them to find out if they meet your needs. In addition, look for those who offer set up and repair services and training classes on how to use a long arm quilting machine. Take your time to do some research first in order to make an informed decision.

 

Tags

,

]]> http://www.craftyplaces.com/859/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-long-arm-quilting-machine/feed/ Free Sewing and Quilting Patterns http://www.craftyplaces.com/854/free-sewing-and-quilting-patterns/ http://www.craftyplaces.com/854/free-sewing-and-quilting-patterns/#comments Mon, 14 May 2007 04:16:31 +0000 Melissa http://www.craftyplaces.com/854/free-sewing-and-quilting-patterns/ Hand Quilting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever searched the internet for a free pattern? Maybe it was for a quick project or just for an idea. We found that many manufacturer's have free patterns on their sites, just waiting for you to come and download. We have put together a list of all the sewing and quilting manufacturer's that we were able to find, who have free patterns or projects available for download.

Here are the manufacturers* internet address's in alphabetical order.

Brother Sewing & Quilting

CraftPlace.org

Dritz.com

Gutermann

MaryEngelbreit.com

Offray

Olfa Cutting Tools

Singer.com

Sulky.com

White Sewing Machines

These manufacturer's have some really great patterns, and ideas that are different from the free patterns that you can get from other sites. These companies have also made it so that the patterns are easy to read and they make sure that all supplies needed are given in the instructions.

*Note: Some of these websites can be a bit more difficult to find the free projects, but, we found them, and so can you!

View RSS XML 

Tags

, , , , ,

]]> http://www.craftyplaces.com/854/free-sewing-and-quilting-patterns/feed/ Block Lotto http://www.craftyplaces.com/823/block-lotto/ http://www.craftyplaces.com/823/block-lotto/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:12:41 +0000 Melissa http://www.craftyplaces.com/823/block-lotto/ I Spy A Snowball Block

Kid Friendly Snowball Blocks

It's March, and at About's Quilting Forum that means it's time for a brand new Block Lotto block. If you're not familiar with the Block Lotto, it's a popular activity that takes place every month in About's General Quilting Forum. Quick piecing makes these kid-friendly Snowball blocks go together quickly and easily, and the I Spy theme for this month is a favorite for both baby quilts and quilts for older children. For complete instructions to make a quilt of your own, visit the quilt section at About.com.

Tags: , , ,


Tags

, , ,

]]> http://www.craftyplaces.com/823/block-lotto/feed/ Casting Shadows with Discharge - Simply Quilts http://www.craftyplaces.com/820/casting-shadows-with-dischaege-simply-quilts/ http://www.craftyplaces.com/820/casting-shadows-with-dischaege-simply-quilts/#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2007 01:11:42 +0000 Melissa http://www.craftyplaces.com/820/casting-shadows-with-dischaege-simply-quilts/ simplyquiltsQuilt artist Colleen Wise shares her unique discharge technique that magically casts shadows on quilts for a remarkable appearance. Then Alex Anderson explains her method for organizing her components prior to quilting. This video is not for beginners, but, it is a good tutorial and something to look forward to. This quilt is beautiful, and gives way to thoughts on many other ways to incorporate the discharge technique.

Click here to see how this quilt is made!

Tags: , , , ,

Tags

, ,

]]> http://www.craftyplaces.com/820/casting-shadows-with-dischaege-simply-quilts/feed/