Quick & Easy Instructions on How to Make Homemade Quilts

Make a simple patchwork quilt.

Quilting is a fun hobby that can produce fantastic gifts. It can also be an easy way to make an income. Quilts do take a considerable amount of time to make, but the end result makes it worth the time. If you make them for yourself, you can recycle old clothing into fabric squares, and create quilts that bring back memories when you look at the fabric. Quilts make warm, comfortable bed coverings, and add a touch of beauty to your home. The easiest type of quilt to make is a patchwork quilt.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine
• Cloth
• Thread
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Rotary cutter
• Rotary cutter mat
• Scissors
• Batting, fleece or old blanket
• Permanent marker
• Zip-close sandwich bags
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Choose your fabric. Choose at least 2 different colors or patterns of fabric to make your quilt. It will look prettier if you incorporate several different colors or patterns.

2. Cut your fabric into 4-inch squares. The easiest way to cut the squares is to use a rotary cutter. Lay the mat on a firm flat surface, and place the cloth on top of the mat. Find the 4 inch mark on the mat, and firmly roll the rotary cutter down the line. The fabric will cut easily. You can fold the fabric and cut several layers at once. If you are cutting with scissors, measure with a tape measure, and cut neatly. Once you have cut the fabric into strips, turn the fabric on the mat, and cut the strips into 4-inch by 4-inch squares. Stack the fabric according to color or pattern.

3. Lay out the pattern on the floor or on a large table. Place the squares in lines on the floor to make the pattern that you desire. When you decide on a pattern, carefully pick up the pieces one row at a time. Pick the pieces up in order, so that your pattern will stay the same as it is on the floor. Start at the bottom of the first row, and stack the squares one on top of the other until you reach the top. Place the first stack inside of a zip-close sandwich bag, and label the top of the stack on the outside of the bag. Use a permanent marker to label the bag. Place the row number on the top of the bag. Move to the second row, and repeat the process. Continue until you pick up all of the squares.

4. Stitch together the first row. Sew the first two pieces together. Fold open the stitched pieces on the back, and iron them flat. Sew on the next piece, and iron the back pieces flat. Continue until you sew the whole row together. Using a stick pin, attach a small piece of paper with the row number written on it at the top. Repeat this procedure on each row until you empty all of the bags.

5. Sew the rows together. Pin the first two rows together, and sew them together on one side. Iron the back sides flat. This will keep the quilt from looking bulky. Repeat this step until the quilted top is finished.

6. Layer the quilt. Place the backing material on the floor or a large table, and flatten it out. Cut the filler material 1-inch larger on all sides than the quilt top and backing material. Place the filler layer over the backing material, and smooth it out. Make sure there aren't any wrinkles. Place the quilted layer on top. Make sure the backside is facing the filler layer. Using stick pins, pin the quilt together, so it will not slip as you are sewing it together.

7. Stitch the holding threads through the fabric. Thread the embroidery thread through the needle. Do not separate it into individual threads. At the corner of each square, sew through the top, out the bottom and back up to the top of the quilt. Tie a knot on the top of the quilt. Repeat this procedure at every corner.

8. Cut four 3-inch wide strips of material that are the length of the sides of the quilt. Line up the edging material with the front side of the edge of the quilt. Overlap the quilt top by 1 inch, so that it will have excess material to fold under to finish the quilt. Fold the edging material over the excess filler material loosely. Pin the material into place, and then fold the edges of the edging material under to make a neat edge. Pin the edge in place, and repeat the procedure on the back. Put the edging material on all four sides using the same procedure. Fold the corners down to make neat corners with the rough edges inside the material, so that it will not be seen. Pin it into place. Hand sew the corners first, and then sew the edging material into place. Remove all of the pins.

References

• Quilting 101.com, Quilting 101 - Quilt making tips and resources