How to Machine Quilt Using a Diagonal Stitch
When creating a quilt, the actual quilting process begins after the patchwork cover has been sewn together. Quilting is accomplished by sewing through the patchwork outside and the batting in the middle. Diagonal stitches are often used when creating square quilts, although they work well on rectangular quilts, too. Diagonal stitches give the quilt a geometric look. Often, quilters will use many perpendicular lines to create an all-over diamond pattern when they sew their quilts with diagonal stitches.
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Things You'll Need
- Pattern
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Dressmaker's pins
- Sewing machine
- Batting
- Fabric pen
- Bias tape
Instructions
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1
Select your quilting pattern and cut out the necessary fabric blocks and shapes to create the quilt's patchwork cover. Sew the patchwork design according to your pattern's instructions.
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2
Cut a solid panel of fabric that measures the same as the patchwork portion. Repeat the process with a layer of polyester batting to act as filling.
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3
Place all three layers on top of one another with the solid layer of fabric on the bottom, the batting in the middle and the patchwork layer on top. The top and bottom layers must be positioned in the same way that they will be when the quilt is completed.
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4
Pin all three layers together and place one corner under the sewing machine's presser foot. Angle the quilt so that the corner diagonally opposite the presser foot is in line with the presser foot and corner of the quilt.
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5
Sew from one corner of the quilt to the other. If you have trouble staying on course, draw the required lines onto the fabric with a fabric pen. Fabric pens have ink that dissolves within a few hours. However, it is best to try the ink on a scrap of fabric to ensure that it does not absorb into your chosen fabric.
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Repeat the sewing process, this time beginning with the corner next to the corner you started with last time. This will produce an X out of your two diagonal lines.
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Fill in the rest of the quilt with diagonal stitches that run parallel to the original two lines, ensuring that the lines are all evenly spaced for a clean look. This will give your diamond quilt effect a clean-cut finish.
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8
Pin bias tape all the way around the perimeter of the quilt. Sew it in place to finish your edges.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
