Quilting

Making a quilt top is the first step in creating a finished quilt. But since the process of selecting fabric and a pattern, cutting the pieces, and sewing them together is quite time consuming,...

Quilts made of squares can be very simple looking or can look very modern and sleek, depending on the fabric you choose. All quilts made with square patches are good for beginning quilters as...

For most quilting hobbyists, the most interesting part of the job is the piecing of the quilt top. Once the project has been pieced and basted into a sandwich with top, batting and backing, the...

For quilting, a sewing machine is not absolutely necessary. You can make a quilt in which every stitch is sewn by hand, but the process is time-consuming and requires considerable skill. With a...

Machine quilting frames simplify the quilting of large projects by helping the quilter to stabilize the fabric to be quilted and allowing the free movement of the sewing machine needle.

The Shadow Box quilt, otherwise known as the Attic Windows quilt, is a quilt of optical illusion. Made up of light and dark rectangles and triangles, these colored strips create a 3D effect of...

Quilted note cards are a quick and crafty gift. Also called quilted postcards or fabric postcards, these cards allow you to make something creative with fabric scraps. Whether it's a party...

Hawaiian quilts have distinguishing characteristics like the use of strong colors and intricate appliqued shapes. These quilts gain inspiration from nature with many symmetrical designs resembling...

Quilt rulers are used mostly for rotary cutting. Made of thick plastic, the rulers generally have measurements marked along their length and width. Practice helps you become accustomed to using...

A crib quilt is fast and easy to make, thanks to its relatively small size. You can make a crib quilt for a specific child, or make one for an adult to use as a lap blanket or a wall hanging.

Quilt batting is the layer that goes between the quilt top and the quilt backing. Typically, a quilter uses polyester, wool or cotton batting between the layers of a quilt. Sometimes, however, a...

Whether you want to send out an invitation to a fun party; a decorative Christmas postcard that can double as an ornament; or swap quilted postcards with other quilters; the beauty, spark, and...

Once you finish piecing a quilt together, you need to prepare batting for the quilt's center. If you're nervous about cutting the quilt batting, don't worry; although quilt batting cut to the...

Quilt and rug making are fun hobbies and a great way to make personalized gifts and items for the home. While a complete beginner can make a quilt or rug, learning basic sewing skills is...

Buying quilting fabric at wholesale prices just requires doing a little research and some footwork to obtain the proper licenses. Technically, you must set up your own business to purchase fabric...

In order to finish most handmade quilts you need bias tape. Most fabric and craft stores carry several varieties of bias tape, but the selection is often limited to solid colors and certain...

Many modern quilters use a standard home sewing machine for the entire process of quilt making. Specific types of presser feet are used for different parts of the process.

You can easily transfer photos or even drawings from your computer to fabric. There are three ways to do this: with photo transfer paper, available at craft shops; with fabric sheets you feed...

One of the fun things about making a quilt is adding the layer of quilting. You can give your quilt a novel look by adding vegetables drawings or by quilting existing vegetable designs to bring...

The use of batting is vital to making a quilt.Batting is the cotton fiberfill that goes in the middle of the quilt to make it slightly puffy. Some people like to pre-wash it to ensure that it will...

A framed quilt block can add to your decor, no matter what decorating style you prefer. Country styles benefit from traditional-style quilt blocks, whereas stark, geometric blocks complement a...

Double-fold bias tape is a fabric edging that encases, or binds, the raw edges of the quilt after the quilting process is finished. The tape is made from fabric cut on the bias, or diagonally from...

Planning, cutting, piecing and quilting a bed-sized quilt is a huge project. The trek from the fabric store to the finished product can be a long one, but the first step--buying the correct...

Applying a motif to a quilt can act as both a decorative detail and the means of securing the three layers of your quilt together. The motif, or stitching design, you use is totally up to you. It...

Vintage quilts can be purchased at estate sales and thrift shops, sometimes at quite a bargain. While the look of old quilts is a classic one in country decor, sometimes the quilts that you find...

Keeping quilt tops in pristine condition is a top priority for quilt makers and collectors alike. With the time and money invested in an heirloom craft, good storage is vital to the care and...

Cathedral window quilts got their names because they look like stained glass windows. Ornate, they can take hundreds of hours to sew by hand, but the finished product is worth every minute. Rather...

Rag quilts have become very popular in recent years. Easily made by inexperienced quilters, many professional or experienced quilters have looked to rag quilts as a break from the ordinary. Rag...

Sewing appliques can be tedious and not for everyone, and there are several ways to make applique additions to fabrics for pillows, clothing and quilting projects. This easy applique does not...

Make a trip around the world in your own home. This quilt is easy to make (as quilts go) and it is especially easy to make by hand. If you like to do hand sewing while watching television or...

Quilts have been made by hand for centuries, and some of the oldest quilts predate the founding of the United States. The basic quilt stitch has not changed in all that time. A piece of thread is...

Sashing a quilt involves sewing strips of fabric between each quilt block to surround the blocks with vertical and horizontal strips of fabric. The desired effect with sashing is to set off the...

A handmade quilt provides more than just warmth. Quilts are a labor of love, an outlet for artistic expression and a great way to say "I care." Making your own quilt allows you to fully customize...

Use your favorite family photos to create a family tree quilt in just a few simple steps. Adding the images to fabric does not damage the originals, and you can print names and dates alongside or...

Whether you use a sewing machine or make a quilt totally by hand, handmade quilt making is a lot of work. Quilts are designed to last for decades with proper care, but choosing the wrong fabric...

Plaid fabrics make a great addition to any quilt. You can make a quilt entirely from plaid or choose a special plaid to accent your other fabrics.

Rotary cutting mats are an essential part of the quilter's tool kit. When used with a rotary cutter, they allow the quilter to cut shapes out quickly and accurately. Today's self-healing mats...

Quilt leaders are the cloth pieces attached to a quilt frame to which you pin the layers of a quilt for installation on the frame. Pinning the basted layers to a leader rather than trying to roll...

Learn how to make a very simple and inexpensive Christmas craft. This ornament is a great way to use up small scraps of fabric and teach kids about recycling. It's a fun project that creates a...

It used to be that a keepsake quilt was made from scraps of fabric that had special meaning, such as a bit from a child's garment, a piece from a handkerchief or scarf, or the printed parts of...

A photo wall quilt is one of the most personal gifts you can make for someone, as well as being one of the simplest. This easy project consists of family photos or photographs of memorable places....

Make a simple quilt by using a cute, preprinted panel as the center. Simply add enough border fabric to make the finished quilt in any size desired!

Nearly anything made of fabric can be incorporated into a keepsake quilt, including prize ribbons. Using prize ribbons to make quilts has a long tradition. Usually made of satin, these ribbons...

A visual of your family tree can help your children and grandchildren appreciate their family better. Many people have trouble grasping the intricacies of family relationships. Having a visual...

Curved piecing in quilts is generally considered one of the more advanced techniques, but you can create the look of curves using one of the most simple straight-line blocks, the log cabin. Log...

Gatherings at community centers, churches and homes for women to create quilts and socialize in years past were referred to as quilting circles. Some of the quilts took prizes at fairs and craft...

So, you've made the top and had it quilted--now it's time to bind your quilt but you don't have a clue how to do it. It's easier than you imagined it could be!

Designing your own quilt block allows you to choose everything from the pattern to the print and texture of the fabric. If you choose to create a design based on historic patterns, the...

Quilting is really one step in a multi-step process. The act of quilting refers to the binding together of all three quilt layers, either by hand or by using a sewing machine. Stencil designs can...