How to Sew Quilts and Quilting Crafts with Sewing Skills

Quilts are fun sewing

Learn to sew young and it will last a lifetime, but some sewing skills and lessons have to be unlearned for quilts and quilting crafts. Some quilters learn to quilt without ever learning to sew by the book, and that may be to their advantage.

Consider some of the differences in sewing and in quilting crafts or making quilts. Quilting techniques are not the same as sewing.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Note the difference in seam allowance.

   Notice that sewing usually has a 5/8 inch seam allowance. This is far too large for quilting and quilting crafts, where the standard seam allowance is 1/4 inch. Use sewing skills to make straight seams to sew quilts and quilting crafts, but change the seam allowance to 1/4 inch.

2. Watch the pressing instructions.

   Learn to sew first, and learn that seams are pressed open. Learn to quilt first, and both seams are pressed to the darker fabric. The reason for this is that pressing seams open allows batting to creep out at the stitching. Sew quilts and quilting crafts with sewing skills you have learned, but do not press seams open for quilting.

3. Notice the ironing instructions.

   See that some quilts and quilting crafts are not ironed after sewing the batting into the quilt. This is true of padded appliques and puffy patchwork like biscuit quilts. Even yoyos usually look better without ironing after they are made. Once the fabric is washed and ironed, you may need the iron for appliques, but not often for patchwork quilting. Change your sewing habits to sew quilts and quilting crafts.

4. Fussy cuts are fun but accurate work.

   Be aware of the accuracy required.

   Note that making quilts and quilting crafts requires more accuracy than sewing to do a good job. Matching seams and making crisp corners is important, but these cannot be made without accuracy in every quilt block. Variations in the size of blocks will prevent seams from matching. Use sewing skills to make intersections meet accurately and blocks to be the same size.

5. Place fussy cuts for extra art.

   Learn new techniques with quilts and quilting crafts.

   Make use of the rotary cutter and mat to cut exact quilt pieces for patchwork quilts. Quilting uses more hand sewing, too, and there are stitches to learn for crazy quilts and applique quilts that are embroidery stitches. Use hand sewing skills to sew interesting quilts and quilting crafts.

6. Remove the selvage edge.

   Cut the selvage edge away before starting to cut quilt squares for blocks. This edge may be left in place for sewing, but it causes puckers, shows, is too heavy, and affects the overall appearance of a quilt.

7. Make an original design for a quilt.

   See the difference.

   Sew a quilt block or make a patchwork pillow to use sewing skills for quilting crafts. Notice that in addition to sewing skills, quilts and quilting crafts draw on artistic ability, with art in the design, the colors, and even the binding used. Note the differences, as well as the similarities. Sew quilts and quilting crafts with sewing skills you already know, with some modifications. You can become a quilter!

Tips & Warnings

• We often write about needlework crafts and quilting. See more articles in Resources below.

• Feel free to link to this article or send it to a friend. Do not copy.

• copyright 2010 Linda Richard

Resources

• Foundation Piecing Quilting Crafts
• Make a Doll Quilt or Quilting Miniatures
• Applique a Pillow the Easy Way
• Sew a Trip Around the World Quilt
• Make a Quilt in a Hurry
• Sew Yoyo Flower Quilting Crafts