Marye Audet
DCL
A hundred years ago life was hard but people were more relaxed. They didn't try to fit everything in the day that we try to and they didn't take on more than they could handle. While all of our appliances and technological gadgets have bought us time, it isn't quality time.
Clothes are washed by machine which should free us up to read a book to the kids but in reality it only allows us to tackle another chore. It can turn onto a frenzy of activity real quick. One of the benefits of sewing, knitting, and other hand crafts is that they force you to sit down and just be. You can't make business deals while you are quilting, you can't clean the kitchen floor and you can't whip up a gourmet dinner. You can listen to the radio, or watch TV if you are so inclined but you have to concentrate on the quilt. You are forced to slow down, and if you are hand quilting or using a treadle you are forced to slow down even more.
Best of all it is a low impact hobby when the right fabrics are used.
Quilting Comforts
If you have never made a quilt before you should attempt to make at least one, even if you have to learn to sew to do it. More than likely that one will be turned into two and then ten. Quilting is a quiet, relaxing, creative outlet that joins us to the generations that have gone before.
Free Quilting Patterns Online
The first thing you will need to do is to decide on a pattern for your quilt. There are hundreds of quilting sites online. Many of them have free block patterns that you can download and print. Some of the best sites for free quilt patterns are:
Decide on a Color Scheme
You can do this one of two ways. Either just choose several colors that you like or choose a print fabric and then match the colors in the print. Most quilts need at least three to four colors to look their best. You should try for coordinating dark, medium, and light shades to give your quilt depth and interest.
If you are unsure of how to place your colors get some graph paper and colored pencils. Color in the blocks on the graph paper with the same colors and in the same pattern that you plan on using in your quilt. This can help you see the way that the colors will work together.
Fabric
If you haven't gotten fabric then that is your next step. You can get fabric a number of ways, depending on what you want.
- Use items from the thrift shop to make your pattern pieces
- Use organic cotton if buying new fabric
In the old days women would line their quilts with anything they happened to have around, including newspaper. You probably don't want to use newspaper but consider an old blanket or bedspread for the batting of your quilt. You can also purchase organic batting if you wish. Backing can be made from old sheets and other large pieces of fabric.
Always wash your fabric and press it before using.
Cut Your Blocks
Once you have chosen your fabric and prepared it you can begin to carefully trace around your pattern pieces with dressmaker's chalk or a special dressmaker's marker. The ink to the marker disappears after a day or so. You will want to cut out the pattern pieces as quickly as you can.
Now that you have your pattern pieces cut out lay them together in the pattern you were planning on to see if you like the combination as much as you thought you would. Move the blocks around to change the look of the quilt until you are sure you love it.
Sewing the Blocks
So you have your pattern cut out and you like the way it looks when the blocks are laid next to each other. Now it is time to sew them together. Unless the pattern tells you otherwise you should sew the pattern pieces together with a -inch seam.
Some quilters press the seams open but I like to press them so that they all point to the center of the quilt. I think that it gives the seam more strength. You should do it which ever way you like - just be consistent.
Sewing the Blocks Together
Once all of the blocks are sewn you can lay them out the way that you want them to be. This is the last time you will be able to really adjust the pattern so make sure you like how it looks.
Sew the blocks together in a row and then sew the rows together until your quilt top is finished. Go back and iron the seams so that they all point in the same direction. Lay the quilt bottom down on the floor, right side down. Place the batting over it and then the top right side up. Use safety pins to pin the three layers together in as many places as you can to keep the layers from slipping.
Quilting or Tying?
There are two ways to finish your quilt. You can quilt it in a pattern or you can tie it.
Tying is the easier of the two. Using a needle that has been threaded with yarn push down through the three layers of the quilt and then bring the one end back up through the quilt top. You will have two ends of yard on the top and a stitch on the bottom. Tie the yarn ends together in a firm knot and repeat at all four corners of each square in the quilt.
Quilting can be done by machine or by hand. It takes a bit of practice to do the fancy designs that some quilts have. You can easily stitch around the various pieces of your pattern though. This is called "stitching in the ditch."
Binding and Finishing
You can buy binding ready made or use instructions on one of the quilting sites to make your own. The binding will cover up the raw edges and make your quilt look finished.
Usually it is very striking to choose the darkest fabric color in the quilt and make a binding that matches it. This pulls the colors together and makes the quilt look really complete. Don't forget to write your name and the date on the back of your quilt with permanent marker. You have just created an heirloom that can be enjoyed for generations.
Caring for Your Quilt
Your quilt will last for a long time if you follow a few, simple rules:
- Keep your quilt out of direct sunlight because that can be hard on the fibers.
- Wash gently in cold water
- Use a gentle soap on it not a detergent
- Hang to dry
- When you store the quilt add a few sprigs of lavender to keep the moths and bugs out of it.
Quilts are fantastic gifts. They are a relaxing way to spend time and they use up fabric scraps as well as old clothes. There is just something about making a quilt that makes you feel like you have accomplished something - and you have.
