| Quilting
101
By
Kathleen Gordon-Ross, associate
editor
“In towns and cities all across the United States, quilters
are joining together. They come from all walks of life, span the
boundaries of age, race and gender, and are growing in number
every year. ‘The growth in quilting’s popularity over
the past quarter century has been truly phenomenal,’ says
Karey Bresenhan, president of Quilters, Inc., the Houston based
sponsor or the annual International Quilt Festival. And Bresenhan
has the numbers to prove it: According to a survey conducted in
2000 by Quilts, Inc. and Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, the
number of quilters in the United States has grown from nearly
15 million to more than 19 million in the past three years alone.
“In addition to the creative aspects inherent to the craft
and the strong friendships forged among those who advance the
art, Bresenhan points to quilters’ thirst for knowledge as
one of the main reasons this centuries-old tradition has not only
survived, but thrived. ‘Quilters are always eager to learn
new things – new techniques, new patterns, new stitches.’
she says. ‘And there’s always something new to learn.”
Taken from Country Living Magazine, January 2001, ‘Quilting
2001 – This centuries-old tradition has not only survived,
but thrived.’
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| The
increased interested and popularity of quilting has
encouraged a growing number of quilt and fabric shops
to offer classes to help interested women learn the
basics of quilting as well as continue to learn new
tricks and techniques associated with this skill.
Taking a class from a good quilt shop has a number
of advantages.
First, it’s a relativity inexpensive way to learn
whether or not this is a skill set you want to invest
time and money into developing. Class fees usually
vary from $10-50 depending on the depth and breadth
of the course. Often times the class fees do not include
supplies.
Second, quilt shops tend to offer courses for quilters
at all levels (beginners to advanced) and at all levels
of interest (hand piecing, applique, wearable art,
wall hangings, etc.).
Third, as a beginner it’s helpful to have an
expert close by helping you understand the terms,
techniques and tools used to create your piece and
can offer quick assistance.
Fourth, quilt shop classes are a wonderful way to
learn about and how to utilize the latest quilting
technological developments.
Many quilt shops have mailing lists you can join to
receive their monthly or quarterly newsletter outlining
the next semesters classes. The newsletter also alerts
you to special discounts or sales coming in, fabric
shipments, or special events like quilt and trunk
shows, quilt shop hops, and in-store demonstrations.
Another great way to learn about quilting at many
levels is to check out your local PBS television station
and watch one or two of their many quilting programs.
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| One
of quiltings immense appeals is the large variety
of fabrics, patterns, techniques available. The following
pictures show the incredible affect color and fabric
choice has on the over all look of a project or individual
square.
Here are three table runners made by first time quilters
in a recent quilt class.
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Rita
Miller's project |
Kathleen
Gordon-Ross' project |
Each
quilter hand pieced and
hand quilted their project. Notice how different
each table runner looks – the design or pattern
for the table runner is the same, but each quilters
choice of fabrics
and use of lights and dark fabrics change the
overall look of the same design. |
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Alison
Packard's project |
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Now let’s
focus on one quilt block.
Here
are nine quilt blocks. Again the quilter
is using the same design or pattern for
each block, but has varied her fabrics
and her placement of light and dark fabrics
in each square.
Varying
the fabric colors and shades is not the
only way to get more use out of a single
quilt block. Some quilt top patterns call
for the use of sashing or lattice strips
separating each quilt block, others call
for a block-to-block assembly. |
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| The
use of sashing or lattice strips to set off each
quilt block is usually done when creating a sampler
quilt top using a variety of different quilt block
designs. Block-to-block assembly is best used
when creating a quilt top with the same quilt
block design (although fabrics may vary). |
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| Here
is an example of block-to-block assembly: Quilt
made by Alison Packard |
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Here
are some great resources for quilters at all levels.
Learn new techniques and shortcuts to speed your quilting
process along. Join a quilters guild in your area.
Scout out a new quilt shop in your town or a neighboring
one and plan a field trip. Find a great online store
full of fabrics, books, patterns and tools. And much,
much more!
www.quiltguilds.com
- Find a quilting group near you
www.noqers.org
- National Online Quilters’ website
www.quilterscache.com
– Excellent resource for quilt block patterns
www.connectingthreads.com
– Online fabric shop that has many free patterns
for quilts and other quilted fabric crafts |
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“Quilter’s
Complete Guide,”
by Marianne Fons and Liz Porter, published by
Leisure Art |
“Quilting
Basics,”
published by Leisure Arts
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BASIC
QUILTING SUPPLIES
This
list of basic supplies is taken from the book “Quilter’s
Complete Guide,” by Marianne Fons and Liz Porter. Marianne
and Liz have a quilting television show on PBS called Quilting
with Fons and Porter which is an excellent resource as well.
You’ll need some kind of
container to transport and store your supplies. Quilters employ
everything from simple cardboard boxes to elaborate tool and tackle
boxes, baskets and handmade carrying cases for holding their gear.
A roll of 1/4 inch-wide masking
tape is extremely helpful when hand piecing and hand quilting.
It allows to you keep your stitching straight and seems a consistent
1/4 inch.
Hand-sewing needles are sized
by number in two different ranges: numbers 1-12, and numbers 13-26;
the higher the number in each range, the finer and shorter the
needle. For quilt making purchase an assortment.
Choose long, thin, sharp (dressmaker’s)
pins for piecing and appliquéing. They should also be rustproof,
try to stay away from pins with plastic heads. They tend to melt
when the hit the heat of a hot iron.
Either a simple stuffed pincushion or magnetic pin catcher will
do, but a magnetic pin cater is sure handy when you drop all your
pins on the floor.
A 14” circular wooden quilting
hoop is all you’ll ever need to quilt even the largest quilts.
Some quilters prefer square or rectangular plastic tubing hoops.
Choose a heavy-duty cutter, rather
than the standard size. Cutting mats are easier to use when ruled
with a grid of 1-2” squares.
A
clear plastic ruler marked in a grid or with stripes of 1/8”
squares or lines for drawing patterns and adding seam allowances
to patterns or fabric pieces. They suggest having the following
sizes: 2x12” or 2x18”; 6x24”; 12” or larger
ruled square to use with a rotary cutter. Choose a square with
1/8” markings, numerous horizontal and vertical guidelines.
You will find the following scissors
helpful: 8” good-quality dressmaker’s fabric shears.
Use them to only cut fabric. They should be sharp enough to easily
cut through several layers of fabric. Utility scissors for cutting
paper and template plastic. A pair of thread nippers or embroidery
scissors for clipping thread.
A simple straight-stitch
machine will be sufficient for most tasks, but you will need a
zigzag stitch for machine applique.
Very helpful for pushing a needle through the fabric and not your
finger tips when hand-piecing and hand-quilting. Choose one that
fits the middle finger of your sewing hand. It should fit snugly
but not tightly on your finger. If you are purchasing a metal
thimble, look for one with a flat end and tiny, deep dimples or
grooves to hold the end of a needle securely as you quilt. Some
quilters prefer leather thimbles; others treat themselves to a
silver or gold one.
White,
tan or medium gray cotton or cotton-covered polyester sewing thread.
Polyester treads can cut cotton fibers.
Want
more easy quilting projects? Check out our Crafty Chic
article on "Making a stunning
Denim Quilt" with quilter Rebecca Lane. |
