how to hand sew a quilt block

If you have some fusible seam tape, you can also use that to join together two pieces of batting to quilt as you go. Place a 10in square of fabric right side down on to the ironing board. Simple Nine-Patch Construction. Cut out the shape you want, place it on the quilt, then sew close to the edges of it. Thank you! This is generally enough for hand piecing. The first step to making your quilt is piecing the top layer. In appliqué blocks, fabrics are cut, layered then stitched on another fabric and this requires sewing at the same time two fabrics together and making sure the sewing is as invisible as possible. This thread is thicker (and stronger) than all-purpose thread. Once you know if you enjoy sewing, you can decide if you want to invest in special equipment like a sewing machine.I just read through this 'ible. This article has been viewed 232,540 times. If your quilt center is made of 4" blocks, try a 4"-wide border. You should use as small of a needle as you are comfortable with. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Finish the Edges and Sew the Quilt Blocks . For so many years, sewing patchwork by hand was the most popular method to make a quilt or some bad covers. Choose the materials you will work with. The binding of a quilt is the long strip of fabric that wraps around the cut edges around the outside edge of the quilt. What I found was that this could look a little intimidating to a beginner. That's fine, but not necessary because we are not using quilt batting that has to be quilted in order to hold it's shape. This allows you to work out any unfortunate bubbles in the quilt--in case you did not notice them at the pinning stage. Fold the binding at a 45 degree angle to the right. Place a 9in square of cartridge paper on top so there’s ½in of fabric all the way around. I usually skip cutting the thread. By trimming the raw edges of batting to fit together just right, you can blanket stitch the batting together to join quilted blocks without a bulky seam. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Yes, you are allowed to break the rule but be aware that cotton/poly can be slippery and sometimes stretchy. To finish, press under the backing fabric and hand stitch to close the seam. That pattern has been altered and expanded and is sold as the Modern Fans quilt pattern. White is probably more traditional.Most of the quilting books suggest using threads that are no longer than 18 inches. Learn how to make an eight-point star quilt block with this beginner friendly tutorial from Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts! Just make sure you keep a constant 1/4 seam allowance, if you go off of that you go off of that it just won't work as well, and you'll get puckers and weirdness. )The basic rule is--cut your fabric into pieces that are one half inch bigger than the finished piece of the quilt. Press the seam allowance to one side and enjoy your finished four patch quilt block. Occasionally check your progress by looking at the front of the quilt. If you do it right, at each center where the 4 corners come together, the pressed seams will spiral. If you left the pieces attached together, now is a good time to clip them apart.Take 2 pieces, hold them, right sides together aligning the previous seam, and insert a pin to meet the seams aligned. When you sew clothing, seams are usually pressed 'open'. Keep going around the center piece, adding on and overlapping the strips, in sort of a log-cabin block sort of style. At the end of each piece, make 3 or 4 back stitches to secure the end of the thread. )Once everything is cut, I store all the pieces in a zip-loc bag along with the spool of thread, my needle, small scissors, and a couple of pins. Most 9-patch quilt blocks look best when lighter value and darker value fabrics are paired together to form a small checkerboard. Gently pat out any ripples. Reply Lay one end of the strip over the end of the next strip. (Too many dark colors together or too many light ones and you might as well not even bother with all the sewing--just use a bigger piece of fabric. Several times I have been asked by someone to show them how to sew a quilt. Big needles are harder to pull through the fabric. Fold the strip of binding in half, line the cut edges with the edge of the quilt top. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. How to Create an Easy Version of Dolly Madison's Star Quilt Block Dec 14, 2020. Repeat the process on the other edges. Many sewists prefer to do complex piecework on a machine simply for speed, but for a fully vintage aesthetic, you can certainly create traditional quilt blocks using nothing but a … Unless the change is minimal, widening just … Finish your block by sewing around the entire block, 1/8th of an inch from the edge. Then it is time to press again. Aurifil 50 wt charm about you hand piecing hand sewing Liberty patchwork quilt quilting Sew-Along The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt thread tutorial Wonder Clips wonderclips I am going to show you how to hand piece patchwork, this is my favourite method for making my 1930's Farmers Wife blocks. ", "The step by step instructions helped most.". Share it with us! They get in the way of the iron (not to mention how hot they get if you iron them anyway).Sew 32 of these pairs of pieces into 16 sets of 4 (2 by 2 of the original cut squares) and 8 pairs of pieces into 4 strips of 4 (1 by 4 pieces). The How to Sew Curves video tutorial below uses templates from an old SQ pattern, Propeller. I have one question from your tutorial: when you make more than one back stitch, do you make them all on top of each other or do you trace backwards several stitches? The straight stitch, at 12 stitches to the inch, is best for sewing the quilt together. Thank you for such clear simple instructions. Start with a lap quilt or wall hanging rather than with a whole bedspread. You can cut the thread, tie a new knot, and sew the next piece. Align 2 pieces of fabric with the right sides (the prettier side of the piece) facing each other. I’m a newbie and cNt wait to get started. Tiny bits of red thread might show on the final quilt but I don't worry that much about the thread color. Search for "quilt backing fabric" and you'll find a number of companies which sell this material in many colors. I have bins of cut scraps ready to use. I store the pins (opened) in an empty prescription bottle. I use it for most of my sewing, especially sewing on buttons. I'm very new to sewing and I am attempting to make some quilted coasters out of scraps. Step 2: Gather Tools and Materials. I use a rotary cutter because it is so fast and the cuts are so perfect.If you do not have one or know someone who does, I recommend that you use your ruler an a pencil to mark cutting lines on the back of your fabric. If you are using thinner thread, I recommend doubling up the thread--2 strands will be less likely to break.Since mine is a scrap quilt, there are a lot of different colors of fabric. Sew this seam starting a quarter inch from the corner and ending a quarter inch from the end. ", "I like that this article shows how easy hand quilting actually is. When you get to the corner, stop 1/4 inch from the corner. It can be the same color as your backing (blends in) or a contrasting color (if you want to show off the fact that the quilt was made by hand).I stitched straight across the quilt so I cut the thread 4 or 5 inches longer than the width of the quilt. Keep your pins 4 or 5 inches apart. I have searched all over the internet for a tutorial like this, so thank you!! You can load up 4 or 5 stitches onto you needle before you pull the needle through. The process of sewing through all the layers of the quilt is called 'quilting'.Quilting is again just a running stitch. You point to one fabric and see if the child can find the matching ones. Question With practice it doesn't even take that long. Make a running stitch through all the layers. "I am about to attempt making my first quilt and needed some help. The Log Cabin is another favorite quilt block! Step 6 – Quilt the sandwich together. Sew around the edges to combine the layers. In this case, 93% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. I also keep a bag of pieces near the TV. This is the last chance you will have to press any seams flat. Do you have to press the seams because we do not have an iron. Be sure to pull the pins out. This will keep tension off of your other fingers and, with enough practice, will give you the most even stitches. You want it to shrink BEFORE you use it. Sew this again using a 1/4 inch pencil line (if necessary). Two of the Best Quilting Books for Beginners Dec 09, 2020. Dry it and iron out any wrinkles.Lay the backing fabric down first. You can easily adapt this to any size and you don't have to use scraps.I usually make my quilts by hand. Quilting is a useful art/craft that spans generations, fads, ages and cultures to bring people together. ", "It let me know how to finish up the corners. What stitch do you use to construct the quilt? If I am making a blue quilt, I try to use blue thread. 3 years ago, Love all the colors and I'm simply amazed you could hand sew this :D, Reply Very easy for a beginner.Tie a knot at the end of the thread. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. Sew your border. How to Create a Pinwheel Quilt Block Dec 06, 2020. Before you trim off the corner, check to see that the strip runs straight. (Yes, I have done it--sometimes successfully. Keep your first project small--so you see success rather than frustration. Press all seams to one side, which will help to protect the more delicate line of hand stitching. The size of your needle is not completely critical. One bin each of the following:--3 1/2 inch squares--4 1/2 inch squares--2 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch rectangles--2 1/2 inch squaresFrom these few sizes, you can combine them in many different ways.I have several quilt tops done and waiting to be quilted and several zip-locs ready to be sewn all the time. ", consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. (I had the kindergartener's flip the fabric over to check and see if they were making a nice dotted line with the thread on both sides. This is probably a good idea if you are a beginner. If you are buying fabric for this project, make sure that you have enough variety in the colors or at least some contrast. Most fabric stores have a supply of cotton fabrics that are already cut into quarter yard pieces--4 or 5 of these will make a baby sized quilt. They make a tiny needle called a quilter's between. I am one of the crazy ones who actually think math is fun. Press the borders open and flat working from the front side of the quilt. Non-carpeted floors work better. I have made quilts for many years and I really needed to use up some of the scraps that I have been accumulating.. People will see these stitches.You can use the same quilting thread from earlier or you can use something thicker such as a thin crochet thread. (For the sample I used in this 'ible, I used 27 different fabrics and 3 of each one. The edge will be the last part quilted and get tugged on the most while you work. Also, since you haven’t sewn into the seam allowances, it will be easy to nest the seams, as we’ve done on this four-patch block. You can take your quilt to a professional long arm quilter and have them sew the “quilt sandwich” for you or you can do it yourself. This is to keep all the layers from shifting while you quilt.When you get to the edge of the top, put a few extra pins in. 7 months ago, I have read and reread your tutorial. On the wrong side of your fabric use a small acrylic ruler (see through) to mark 1/4 inch away from the edge of the fabric (seam allowance). About: I have taught math for 30 plus years. By sewing these at a 45 degree angle, you eliminate unnecessary bulk. This article was co-authored by Lois Wade. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Different fabrics have unique properties which determine how they will get used. Smooth out any ripples. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This means you want to work methodically across (or down in some cases) the quilt. A quilt has 3 layers--the top (which you just finished), the batting (the fluffy middle part), and the backing (traditionally muslin but lots of different fabrics work).If you haven't already done it, pre-wash your backing fabric. There are all sorts of fancy things you can do but for a beginner, I recommend just a simple line of stitches right at the existing seams. Love the idea of ziploc scraps ready bags! She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The color of the thread really doesn't matter much. You never know when you will be stuck in a waiting room. Repeat for all of your blocks or strips. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you are an experienced sewer, use whatever length you are comfortable with.You will be sewing a straight line 1/4 inch from the edge of the piece. Masking tape will hold the backing in place but I usually don't need it for a small quilt.The next layer is batting. I find them too small to work with--bad eyesight and the beginning of arthritis.Thread your needle with quilt thread. No sense frustrating yourself by getting your thread tangled up every few minutes. Learn the basics to Make a Log Cabin Block here. That's about 2 to 3 visible stitches a along measured inch (4 to 5 a long a 5cm series of stitching). How do I hand-sew a pattern to form letters or initials on a quilt? 7 months ago Continuing to stitch into an adjacent Flying Geese block without cutting … There's nothing quite as satisfying as displaying your labor of love either as a bedspread or as a wall hanging. This way I did not need to worry about starting a new thread in the middle of the quilt. Did you do a video of this tutorial, Question I prefer not to sew … This lets you know that you are catching both layers in each stitch. If using heirloom or sentimental items such as handkerchiefs or baby clothing, applique the item to a sturdy backing before using it in the quilt. Quilt blocks are fabric pieces which are assembled and joined together to complete a quilt top. Make sure that there is batting and backing everywhere under the top. He was the love of my life. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. One more suggestion. At this point there are a million possibilities to quilt. Hand-sewing a queen sized quilt will take probably a year or so. I opted to do it myself with my walking foot. The finished size of my quilt is 36 inches by 36 inches.If I use 144 three and a half inch squares, the quilt will end up with 12 rows of 12 squares each.If I use 81 four and a half inch squares, the quilt will end up with 9 rows of 9 squares. Last Updated: October 8, 2020 You can buy it in 90" widths, which means you won't need need seams, as long as you're making queen size or smaller quilts and you'll only need one seam for a king size quilt. What kind of fabric should I use for the backing? If your hand quilting project is child-sized or a smaller decoration, you can sew the layers without the need of additional border fabric. )After I pull the needle through, I unusually take a small back stitch which helps me keep my stitches tight and makes for a more secure seam. Press both layers of fabric to one side. You will be amazed how much you can accomplish using these down times. I am returning to tea…, Colorful Wrapped Rope Macrame Knot Necklace. If you want to change the size of a quilt, avoid adjusting the border only. Get expert advice. This quilt was made from scraps. If you buy new fabric for your quilt, be sure to pre-wash and dry the fabric before cutting. (I hate it when the quilt gets pinned to the carpet.) I just tie another knot and sew the next piece. The amounts of stitches used per inch helped. A back stitch starts just 'before' where the thread is coming through the fabric.Each seam ends 1/4 inch from the corner. This tutorial was extremely helpful and easy to, "Just seeing the seams, the way they are different and pressed. Fold the strip of binding in half, line the cut edges with the edge of the quilt top. Taking seams out is a pain but occasionally it is necessary.When everything is stitched together, give it one last pressing. When your blocks are … Then do you go forward again so the knot is at the edge? Participated in the Homemade Gifts Contest 2016. Did you make this project? If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You can hand quilt… Be sure that you are not messing up the lower layers.Once you are certain that nothing needs to be moved again, it is time to use the safety pins. Most books suggest cutting the binding 2 inches wide but I usually use 2 1/2 inches. I've made it as a 14" block … Note: at this point, some quilters like to sew an 'X' in the middle of the block to hold the layers together. How to Create an Easy Version of Dolly Madison's Star Quilt Block Dec 14, 2020. Start near the middle of one edge of the quilt. Once finished, press the entire block. You'd have to rotate the blocks so that the yellow squares weren't next to each other and then you'd get the dark blue squares forming some sort of a zigzag. This secures the edges, making it easier to sew the blocks together. Step 1. Fabric scrapsCutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter OR sharp scissors and rulerNeedleQuilt threadQuilt batting (one yard of 'by the yard') or a small package of pre-cut battingOne yard muslin OR other suitable backing fabricSafety pinsStraight pins. These quilt blocks are usually made by a technique called Patchwork - which is all about joining together small fabric pieces to form a design. It uses four colours and I can definitely see this in a quilt. Focus on trying to make your stitches the same size. Whether you’re following a pattern or designing your own, you need to keep track of the blocks and the overall quilt layout. I have been quilting for 25 years so I have a lot of scraps. How to Create a Right Hand of Fellowship Quilt Block Dec 28, 2020. Two of the Best Quilting Books for Beginners Dec 09, 2020. You can buy it in 90 wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Count to make sure you have the right number of pieces per row and the correct number of rows. This requires a little patience. (If you notice any ripples while you are quilting, lay the quilt on a flat surface, remove only the necessary pins, smooth out the problem, and repin.) Approved. For a beginner who's getting the hang of the hand dexterity... try using a … ", "Instructions were concise and easy to follow. It was a lot of work for the employee who had to cut it but she didn't complain at all.) The zip-loc goes in my purse for the next time I have to wait at the doctor's office or picking up one of the kids. There are hundreds of quilting stitches, but the most common is the straight stitch. To decide how wide to make a border, begin with your finished block size. 4 years ago. This leaves the pieces chained together and keeps me from dropping them all over the place.I try to mix up the different colors as much as I can on a scrap quilt but you can organize a pattern. 3. And the block that they used most often was the Nine-Patch quilt block. Piecing your quilt. This article was co-authored by Lois Wade. Not so for quilts. (I once watched my aunt buy 20 different fabrics but only 1/8 of a yard of each one. It can be challenging to work with really thick and very thin fabrics together. Stack your materials like so: Use an appropriate color to make sure that you can see the lines.If you are new to sewing in general or quilting in specific, you may need to buy fabrics. To know what I'm talking about, check out the video above. They are usually square shaped. 30 + of the Best Star Quilt Block Patterns Dec 22, 2020. (I keep saying this because sometimes I forget to do it.) Pin opposite side of quilt and sew both borders on to the edges of the pieced portion. If you are using a printed fabric for the back of the quilt, make sure the good side is facing the floor or table. 9)Needles – for hand piecing Sharps size 7-12, for quilting Between needles size 10-12 10)Sewing Pins By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. SQ lead a 9-week Modern Fans sew along with tons of detailed instructions, videos, and tutorials for sewing curves. How to Create a Pinwheel Quilt Block Dec 06, 2020. The binding of a quilt is the long strip of fabric that wraps around the cut edges around the outside edge of the quilt.Most books suggest cutting the binding 2 inches wide but I usually use 2 1/2 inches. Once all the pieces have their first seam, it is a good time to get out the iron. Check out all of those blog posts here! You can just go with a neutral color--black or white. Generally speaking, Cotton fabric is best for hand quilting, although other fabrics are sometimes used. I sew in the car on long trips. )This project could also be done using out-grown baby clothes. Fold strips of fabric or ribbon over the edges of your quilt and sew them down to create a beautiful border for your design! If you tried before hand sewing , you know that it has many benefits as it relaxes you, helping you feel so proud at the end of your projects. Make one large block and you’ve got yourself a fantastic baby quilt. Traditionally, crazy quilts also have lots of embroidered lines stitched over the seams. I usually only use pins at intersections but you may find it comfortable to pin more places--especially if you are working with bigger pieces. Stack all three layers (Right side of block facing UP; Right side of backing facing DOWN) and baste around the edges and diagonally using big stitches... Do your machine or hand quilting, leaving 1/2" to1" near the edges UN-quilted. Sew this again using a 1/4 inch pencil line (if necessary).Join extra strips of binding as necessary. This article has been viewed 232,540 times. I feel much more confident about making my quilt. First time quilters would be wise to choose either a 4 patch or a 9 patch pattern for simplicity sake. When you reach the center of the quilt block, make sure the seam allowances are pointing in different directions and take a back stitch right in the center to lock the pieces together securely. This is called 'stitching in the ditch' and does not require much thought. Different fabrics have unique properties which determine how they will get used. It’s true though that sewing machine does it better and faster. Beginners usually find it easier if you draw a pencil line first. I have done this for so many years that I can 'eye-ball' it. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 232,540 times. Try to keep the fabrics close to the same weight. Keep your stitches even and no longer than an eighth of an inch in length (2-3mm) for best results. This is a good thing because you are cutting down on the number of bulky spots in the finished quilt.Continue pinning pieces together, sewing seams, and pressing. I used scraps of batting, so I had to whip stitch the pieces together.Carefully place the finished top over the batting layer. Feeling unproductive while working from home? If there is an edge or corner that is not aligned, carefully move the top. Quilting 1⁄4" away from the seam lines echoes the lines created by the fabric pieces and seams. Most of the blocks of a particular quilt will follow a similar pattern. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Hand-Sew-a-Quilt-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Hand-Sew-a-Quilt-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Hand-Sew-a-Quilt-Step-1.jpg\/aid274052-v4-728px-Hand-Sew-a-Quilt-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"