How to Get Started Quilting

Once a job almost every homemaker performed, making quilts is more of a hobby today. From simple crazy quilts to highly elaborate patterns, quilting can be a creative expression of art and beauty. Getting started can be as simple as sewing two equal sized squares together.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Quilting squares
• Straight pins
• Sewing Machine
• Iron
• Backing cloth
• Edging material (optional)
• Batting or other stuffing

1. Lay out your squares on a large table or the floor. Rearrange the squares until you get a pattern that is pleasant to the eye. Take the squares and stack them, row by row, until you have the needed number of stacks for the size of quilt you want to make.

2. Pin the side edges of the squares together in each stack. Make sure you have the material with the proper side facing outwards. You can do this with each stack, or wait until the next stack is ready to be sewn together.

3. Use a coordinating color of thread to sew the squares together. This can be done easily on a sewing machine, but can also be done by hand using a needle and thread. Iron the rows flat after sewing.

4. Take the sewn together rows and attach them to the next row, again using straight pins to hold them in place. Make sure edges and seams are lined up.

5. Lay the completed quilt top face side up on the floor or a large table. Use straight pins to attach the backing cloth on three sides. Sew this together and then flip the case inside out. The good side of the quilt should now be facing outward.

6. Stuff the quilt case with batting, making sure to reach all corners and keeping the batting evenly distributed.

7. Make a small hem on the unfinished end by tucking in a half inch of material on both the quilt face and the backing cloth. Pin together and sew the case closed.

8. Sew, either by hand or with a sewing machine, a simple crisscross pattern over the entire quilt. This keeps the batting in place and allows the quilt to be washed when need.

9. Add decorative edging material around all sides of the quilt, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Learning to quilt takes time. Start small with a dolls or child’s quilt, so the job doesn’t seem overwhelming. Once you have the basics of quilting down, check out books from the library and teach yourself how to make the more elaborate patterns.
• Memory quilts, made out of outgrown clothes, are a perfect present for children and grandchildren.