How to Make a Basic Quilt

Be Inspired:
 Finished 2m square quilt 

Materials required:

81 Squares of fabric of similar weight each measuring 25cm x 25cm

(You can get 4 squares out of a fat quarter so need 21 fat quarters)

4m polyester wadding or 2m X 2.3m width cotton wadding

2m x 2m Backing fabric for the wadding such as calico or muslin

2m sheeting

Thread

 

Directions:

 

Pre wash all the main fabrics (except the polyester wadding if using) before use to shrink to size.

Arrange the cut squares into a 9 X 9 square on a flat surface in a way that you are

happy with the pattern that emerges.

Pin the squares in strips of 9 before stitching 1cm from the edge.

Press the seam allowance flat. Repeat for the other 8 strips.

Then pin the strips together and stitch in place.

(Optional extra why not place a border around your quilt in a single fabric to frame it)

Prepare the wadding. Cut the wadding by first creating a 2m x 1.5m (width of polyester wadding) and then a 0.5m x 2m strip and lay together. Stitch together with a herringbone stitch but do not overlap then. This stops the quilt having extra bulk in some areas.

If you are using cotton wadding trim down to match the size of the quilt.

Place the wadding under the patchwork quilt and pin together. Then pin the backing fabric under the wadding. This stops the wadding catching when stitching. Depending on how confident you are feeling you could design a stitching pattern that is very different to the square design onto the quilt, or if this is the first time patch working why not stitch the wadding to the quilt by using the squares as a guide. Note- you can either stitch the quilting pattern to secure the wadding by hand or machine if your machine is able to use a “Running” foot.

To join the sheeting to finish off (Hiding the stitching) Pin the sheeting to the right side of the quilt leaving a 1m opening at either the top or bottom of the work.

Stitch in place.

 

Turn the quilt right way out and pin the open end closed  turning in the seam allowance. Stitch closed either by hand or machine as preferred.

 

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How to Make and Use Bias for Piping

Be Inspired

 

The old way of making your own piping cord is to cut strips of fabric on the bias (diagonal to grain of fabric). This however is not always possible due to the amount of fabric you may have left after cutting the main pieces out for your current project, so here is an economical way to do it. 

Directions

After measuring the length of the project you want to pipe cut strips of material to that measurement adding 5cm first X 5cm wide. (Figure 1)

With right sides together make a backward L shape and stitch across from right to left. (figure 2)

Open the long strip out and press the seams flat (figure 3). Place the brought piping cord down the centre and then fold around the piping cord (figure 4), Stitch as close to the covered cord as possible thereby leaving a seam allowance when you insert into your project. (Having trouble with the foot of your sewing machine? Use a zipper foot attachment to help)  (figure 5)

The piping is now ready for you to pipe your project

With the right sides together place your piping cord along your chosen starting edge (Figure 6). As you go around each corner splice the seam allowance at an angle, this will ease the cord around. Start your cord on the lower part, but not along the same edge as a zip (if using). Once you have stitched all the way along open up a bit of your piping and remove about 3/4cm (three quarters) of inner piping. This allows you to fold it over the starting end tom finish off nicely.

Zip. If you are putting in a zip place right side together and pin in place before stitching (Figure7).

Machine the other sides together. Tip. Try to stitch on the same line as where you have already attached the piping to one side. Trim the corners of the seam allowance as it will help turn when turning right sides out (figure8).

 

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