We are at the last critical step in the creation of a quilt: making the label. This is as crucial as the artist’s signature on his painting. It leaves your mark on the quilt wherever it goes next. And I believe it to be the last step in the 12 steps to successful quilt making.
You do not see the point of adding a label to your quilt? You trust that your friends know that you made it? Continue reading “STEP 12: ADDING A LABEL”
The binding is one of the last things we do on our project, so it is quite natural that it is one of the first things we forget. That’s why I believe it to be our 11th step in the 12 steps to successful quilt making.
I often suggest my students to prepare 6 to 12 place mats in order to practice the binding. Usually, at the end of the twelfth, the steps are memorized. Continue reading “STEP 11: THE BINDING”
I must admit that quilting was not my favorite part of the quilting process for a long time … but on January 1st 2014 I decided that it would be part of my new year’s resolutions. As I mastered the academic side of quilting …. but not the pratical side. I cannot write this blog without thanking Colleen for her loyal services since 2004 and if after reading this blog you wish to use her services, I would not be offended.
Why?
Congratulations!
The piecing part of your quilt is complete, now we must begin the quilting process. As you have regularly used your design wall, you know that there are no excess fabric and the top will hang well on the batting. All that’s left to do before quilting is adding the batting and backing. And this is the 9th step in the 12 steps to successful quilt making. Continue reading “STEP 9: MAKING A SANDWICH”
The border is the last strip of fabric that you sew around the entire perimeter of the quilt (not to be confused with the binding). You usually choose the width relative to the thickness of your mattress as it is often added to cover that specific area.
The common mistake at this stage is to cut the border to the length that is written on the pattern rather than checking the actual length of your quilt on hand. And this is why this process is step 8 in the 12 steps to successful quilt making! Continue reading “STEP 8: ADDING BORDERS”
You’ve finally finished your blocks and you are thinking that the worst part is done!
Really?
Assembling your blocks is a crucial moment: you have to maintain your accuracy while ensuring that all the blocks are sewn in the right direction. And you will have guessed it! It’s the Step 7 in the 12 steps to successful quilt making. Continue reading “STEP 7: ASSEMBLING YOUR BLOCKS”
We are half way through the 12 steps to successful quilt making. And I must admit: This is my favorite! In fact it is my favorite because nobody seems to take notice and yet it is the most important point.
When piecing a quilt following a pattern: when do you check the measurements of your work?
If you need a finished 12 inch block: do you check each one as soon as it is made to ensure that it measures 12½“?
Much to my surprise, not many people can answer yes.
Do you have a quarter inch foot on your sewing machine?
Do you know where to find the quarter inch of your foot?
These are the two questions I automatically ask any student inquiring about how to achieve a precise seam allowance.
I wrote an article on this subject in the Autumn 2014 Quilter’s World issue.
When deciding on the 12 steps to successful quilt making, I knew precision cutting had to be one of them. The only question was which ranking it would have.
Here are a few key elements to ensure that you have precision cutting: Continue reading “STEP 4: PRECISE CUTTING”
To p
ress or not to press? That is a common question. And I believe it to be the third step in the 12 steps to successful quilt making as ironing fabrics is essential in quilting.
But beware!
Please do not iron fabrics like you would a men’s shirt. I prefer saying that we press our fabrics! Continue reading “STEP 3: PRESSING YOUR FABRICS”
