How to Lay Out a Quilt

Having the proper tools is the first step in laying out a quilt.

Quilting is a fairly easy craft to learn, but it is necessary to have the right tools when laying out your quilt. Modern tools used today include a rotary cutter, self-healing mat and a ruler. Make sure to choose fabrics that are not too tightly or too loosely woven. If the fabric is too loose, it will fray. If it is too tight, it is difficult to navigate the quilting needles. You have many choices of fabric and designs, but the cutting and sewing of the fabric must be done with precision.

Rotary Cutter

The rotary cutter cuts fabric in a smooth, rolling motion. Rotary cutters come in small, medium and large sizes. The large cutter is used for large cutting projects. The medium size, which is the most commonly used, is suitable for general use. It is very manageable and easy to hold against a ruler while cutting. The small rotary cutter is used for curved or small pieces of fabric. Rotary cutters are extremely sharp and need to be handled with care. If the cutter is not rolling smoothly or there are uncut threads, carefully remove the blade and replace with a new one.

Self-Healing Mat

A self-healing mat is a synthetic cutting mat and is used with a rotary cutter. Most self-healing cutting mats have grids to help guide in the cutting process. It is important to use a self-healing mat because cutting on another surface will damage the cutter and the surface. Self-healing mats come in different sizes, but it is preferable to work with a large cutting mat. The most useful cutting mat is one that has different colors on the opposite sides. Keep the mat away from hot surfaces or any source of heat and store it flat in a cool, dry area.

Ruler for Quilting

There are many different kinds of gridded quilting rulers and squares. They come available with different shapes, measurements, and markings. Included in a basic set of rulers should be a long ruler, which is 23 1/2 inches by 6 inches, and has angle markings of 30, 45, and 60 degrees. Also included in a basic set of rulers is a short ruler, which is 12 inches by 1 1/4 inches. A quilter's square showing the bias angle, which is the 45-degree line, is a necessary tool for any quilter. Rulers and squares should be cleaned periodically with a cloth soaked in alcohol.

Preparing Fabrics

In order to prepare the fabric for quilting, first wash it in hot water. Wash each color of fabric separately. This will allow a test to determine the stability of the dye in the fabric. Discard any fabric that may bleed or lose its color. While the fabric is still damp, press it with a hot iron. Lay your fabric out to prepare it for cutting, remembering that at least one side of each piece should be on the straight grain. Cut the fabric in the desired shapes and then lay out the quilt design. Once the design is laid out, begin stitching the fabric pieces together.

References

• Quilts; Denyse Schmidt
• Ultimate Quilting Bible; Marie Clayton