Quilting, Where to Begin?

So you have decided to take up quilting? Quilting can be a fun and exciting adventure. As with any adventure, however, it is best to be very prepared in order to avoid any unpleasant occurrences. I am going to give you some basic tips to get you started in the right direction.

For this article I am going to be referring to quilting by machine piecing the blocks for your quilt. The tools you have are very important.

You will need a sewing machine that is dependable and can sew a straight stitch. You don’t really need a fancy machine with all sorts of “bells and whistles”, but you do need a machine that is in good running order. I recommend purchasing the machine from a store that specializes in sewing machines. They will offer classes on how to use the machine and they will be able to service the machine. For your machine, you will need some special “feet”. I recommend that you have a 1/4 inch foot attachment. This foot attachment will keep your seams accurate. This is extremely important when you are piecing a quilt. I also recommend that you have a “walking foot”. This foot attachment will keep all of the layers of your quilt together when you are doing the actual quilting and binding.

When buying the fabric for your quilt, always purchase 100% cotton fabric. It is best to purchase a good quality fabric as well. You can always find good quality fabric at your local quilt store. Pre-wash your fabric when you get it home to remove any sizing that is in the fabric. By pre-washing the fabric, you will also set the colors so that they won’t “bleed” during future washing. You may want to use some white vinegar in the wash or purchase a product called “Retaine” to set the colors.

Cutting the fabric into the pieces you will be using for the blocks is very important as well. Proper tools for cutting fabric are available at your local quilt store or most stores that sell fabric and craft supplies. You will need a cutting mat, a rotary cutter, and a ruler. There are many different brands on the market. I have some that I really like best. I use a Martelli mat and rotary cutter. Their mats are double sided so you get double the mat for your money. Their rotary cutters come in various sizes and they also come in right and left handed versions. They are truly ergonomic to reduce stress and strain to your hand and wrist. My rulers are made by Omnigrid. I recommend an 8-1/2 inch x 24 inch ruler. It is best to look at several brands before you purchase any of these tools.

Good lighting is essential when sewing. Sewing machines will have a light built in to the machine, but this is really not enough. You should have another light source that can shed light onto the fabric and needle as you are sewing. There are many different bulbs and lighting fixtures available. I recommend an energy efficient bulb that is easy on the eyes. Ott lights are available in many different sizes and shapes.

You may have noticed that I mentioned “your local quilt store” several times. A local quilt store is an invaluable resource for you. Classes are usually offered and I highly recommend a beginner quilting class. You will also find employees who are experts in the quilting field and can give you “free” advice and help. They are passionate about quilting and love to share their passion with you. The fabric and tools you will find at the quilt store are high quality. The best thing about the quilt store is the wonderful friendships you will make there!

You are embarking on a wonderful adventure. I wish you great fun and success. Happy quilting!

Nancy Bordeaux, author, designer and teacher, has been a passionate quilt lover for over 20 years. Her pattern line, Nana’s Pretties, is sold througout the world. Her patterns are very beginner friendly and have something for everyone. She offers several different projects in each pattern as a value to her customers. http://www.nanaspretties.com

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