Quilting Basics

Do you want to take a new hobby and learn how to quilt? Quilting is a craft that needs creativity, careful planning, patience and skill in either sewing or using the sewing machine. It is the process of stitching 3 layers of fabrics with a specific stitch design. It is used to made rag quilts, bed quilts or quilts that are used mainly for wall decoration. If you want to learn how to make these beautiful textiles, here are the steps:

Prepare the materials. The most important materials in quilting are the fabrics and the sewing materials. A quilt usually has 3 layers of fabrics: the quilt top which is made of blocks of fabrics sewn together in a beautiful pattern, the insulation which is the middle layer, and the backing. The sewing materials that you will need will be fabric frame, pins, thread and needle. For your design, you also need a template which can be accessed on the internet or any crafts store.

Create the quilt top. When you already have a template for the design, it's time sew together the blocks or square of fabrics that will make your quilt top. Here is where lots of quilters show their creativity. Many designs have become priceless that the finished quilt becomes a family heirloom.

Sew all the layers together. Once you are finished with the quilt top, you can now sew the quilt top, insulation layer and the backing layer. If you are sewing by hand, you need a fabric frame so that the 3 layers will be taut. If you are using a sewing machine, you can take advantage of the quilting feature that makes maneuvering the large fabric easy.

Bind the edges with a cloth. The last step is to make a small border or edge using a cloth. You add a trim to the 3 layers to finish the look of the quilt.

Follow these steps and be patient while you are learning this craft of quilting. It will reward you with satisfaction in the end. If you want to learn how to quilt, the best way is to start by hand and then move to sewing machine once you get the hang of it.

Erika Ayala has always been passionate about writing. Check out her two cents about handheld sewing machines and her contributions to choosing the most affordable Baby Lock Sewing Machine on the market.

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