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Does anyone out there quilt?
Posted: Nov 5, 2011
I can't sew a lick, but I think I'd like to learn to quilt. I need to get back into scrapbooking as I LOVE'd it but just ran out of time to do anything fun after I was bought by the not-so-jolly-green giant. Lovin' the new job and have a few spare hrs a day. Would love to do something creative again, but I wonder how hard quilting is. I have a couple of ideas but no experience. TIA.
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I do - it's not hard at all - Violet - sm
[ In Reply To ..]Quilting is not hard at all. I got into quilting a few years back when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. She was a wonderful quilter, so I picked it up to feel closer to her and carry on her legacy I guess you can call it. So I called my local quilt store and said I'd like to learn how to quilt. They asked if I had done it and what level - so they would know who to place me in a group with. I told them I don't even know what a seam was :-) Mom taught me how to sew clothes growing up and other things, but I just had not sat in front of a sewing machine in many many years. So, I went to one class and I was hooked. Our first project was a table runner. Very very very easy. From there we went on to larger and larger projects. The hardest thing for me is picking out the colors that go together, but luckily there is always someone to help out.
I would definitely contact your local quilt shop and I'm sure they offer classes there. I have not quilted in probably 7 or 8 years just because I have not had time, but I'd love to pick it back up. I've made many table runners, and a few quilts, and I made a family hairloom quilt by copying black and white photo collages of my DHs mother, grandparets and great grandparents weddings and other pics onto quilting material and it is absolutely gorgious. I was very very lucky to inherit all of my moms material, her sewing machine and everything else quilting that she had, so I've got plenty of materials for projects. Now just have to find time.
Good luck with it. Once you start you'll be hooked and won't be able to stop.
I do, too! Love it, wish I had more time for it. (sm) - ancientMT
[ In Reply To ..]Got into quilting about 12 years ago. First thing I made was a crib-size quilt for a newborn nephew, just big squares sewn together in a "trip around the world" pattern ... figured out with the help of some books/magazines how to quilt it by machine, and bind it. It turned out great, and that's all it took to get hooked. Since then I've designed special quilts for grandkids, made them as graduation gifts, you name it. I have one in the works right now, in fact. Rotary cutter techniques and things like paper-piecing have opened up a whole new world as far as design and considerably reducing the time it takes to put blocks together. I agree that taking a class or two if you can would really help! Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like.
Quilting - Alice
[ In Reply To ..]I love to quilt and have recently picked it up again after a long hiatus while mistakenly spending all my time waiting for MT work to show up in my queue.
Another good beginner project is pot holders.
This weekend, I'm working on a rail fence quilt, which is pretty easy. I also love log cabin quilts and I enjoy making quilts using old T-shirts or other clothes. There are many free quilt patterns available on the Internet.
One of my favorite projects from the past (though there is probably a better way to do this now) was to cut out cotton muslin the same size as printer paper. Then, cut out freezer paper the same size. Iron the muslin to the shiny side of the freezer paper. Scan anything that you want to print/make a quilt from, and print out on the muslin. Actually, you may not need to scan if you have photos stored or uploaded on your computer already, such as what might be taken via cell phone. Heat set the printed photos with an iron. Trim the items, leaving a border for seams and sew together in whatever configuration you like. Add borders, etc. There is also a product that can be purchased to make the print permanent; I think it is called Retayne or something like that.
I find that quilting is a great therapy. Have fun!
Alice
I do...and knit, crochet, needlepoint, embroider and sew - AnaPhylaxis
[ In Reply To ..]Quilting is easy as easy can be...and a lot of fun.
I've never done any fancy patterns, just basically gone to the close-out bin at the fabric store and find 4 to 5 different patterns that all work together. I then make myself a template from heavy-duty cardboard and trace on the back of fabrics the shapes I want to cut out (I'm not the most sponaneously creative person in the world, to say the least, so I usually just do squares).
I'm such a geek that my very favorite part of quilting is cutting out all of the squares while watching TV. I'm almost disappointed when all the "hard" stuff (the cutting) is done and it's time to finally start stitching it all together.
Then again, I love ironing, too. I'm just an all-around weirdo, LOL!
HUGE Thank You! - I'm so excited...
[ In Reply To ..]I just can't hide it. hehe. Seriously, I really appreciate the encouragement and the appreciation you each have for it. I, too, kinda got the desire from my g'ma. She passed away recently and one of the things she left me was the thimble she used to use to quilt when she baby sat me 30-some yrs ago. Also, my mom wants me to make some form of family tree for my dad's fam's farm house. Y'all showed me this would be the perfect way to do that.
Thanks, again!
There is a Mennonite quilting center nearby - AnaPhylaxis
[ In Reply To ..]And let me tell you, those quilts are literally underappreciated works of art. IMO, quilting is an art form in and of itself. I don't know as I would have the patience or creativity to produce one of those beautiful designs, but I know one thing...When I see a $500 price tag on one of their quilts, I know the work that went into it and, even at $500, it's a bargain. They offer classes there too but with the crazy work schedule of an MT, I've never had a chance to take them. They also still do loom weaving there and offer classes.
I think you'll LOVE quilting, not only because of the beautiful end product but it's so relaxing. Once you get started, you'll be addicted to it, too, LOL!
Have fun and post up a pic of the first oen you finish so we can all enjoy it :-)
Quilting - Backwoods Typist
[ In Reply To ..]I, too, quilt. I am fairly young (30) but enjoy quilting immensely. It's a huge stress reliever. My aunt and grandma on my mom's side got me into it and let me raid thier fabric stashes. LOL. It does require a lot of patience, though. I have completed one quilt, have another almost done for our new bed, and have one in the works for my father-in-law. I like the log cabin pattern quilt because its easy to put together..you cant really mess up. I am in agreement that you could call a quilt shop for classes since you have no experience. Plus, there is always someone there to help you pick out matching fabrics for your projects. I was lucky and had family to teach me. My appreciation is made even thicker by the fact that I have a quilt made by my great-great grandmother who died at 102 when I was about 7 or 8.
Quilting is kind of like canning your own food. You get the satisfaction of seeing what you did and knowing you can do it again. If the economy gets any worse, you may end up having to make your own blankets and this just preps you for that. I feel closer to my family, even those that have departed like my great-great grandma and recently deceased great grandma. It kinda feels like thier hands are guiding mine. My favorite thing to do is throw mine on my lap and quilt while watching TV with my hubby, which gives us the chance to talk as well.
Good luck to you! I am sure that you will find quilting very enjoyable.
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