Free Quilting Lessons

Finding all those wonderful quilt tops on eBay? How about giving them so Colonial Early American Charm by hand quilting them YOURSELF? Never quilted before? Even if you have never sewn a stitch you can learn to hand quilt using this FREE Guide.

Often tops on eBay are reasonably priced. All you need is a few more materials, a little dedication and you will have increased the value of your top by turning it into a COZY ready to use QUILT.

Colonial Art Form Quickly Fading

Very few people hand quilt anymore. So, if you decide you like hand quilting you can turn it into a profitable business.--With minimal monetary investment. No machine quilting can duplicate the charm of a hand quilted vintage quilt top.

 Click here to find economical Quilt Tops

Use them in your own home or give them for gifts. Everyone loves a great quilt......

********

Now let's get started:

What you will need:

• Your quilt top
• Lining (this will be the back of the quilt)  you can use cotton or muslin
• Batting (this is the inside of the quilt) you can choose from poly batting-high or low loft, poly/cotton batting, or heirloom batting which is cotton in different thicknesses
• Good Needles--I like No 12's
• Quilting thread
• Safety pins (some people have a quilt baster tool and that works great as well)

You will need to take these measurements:

• TOP's width from corner to corner.
• TOP's length from corner to corner

Use these measurements to purchase your lining and batting. The batting will come precut and packaged. The label will have the size on it. Choose a package that contains enough batting to cover the top PLUS 4" all the way around. This will make it easier to lay out.

**Note about prepackaged batting. Choose the batting from a reputable retailer--a small Mom and Pop supplier may be best. I have purchased batting from W*l*m*t only to have it come up short.

LINING- Some people choose to use a sheet because it was once hard to find cotton or muslin in a wide enough width. Many people do not like to piece their lining from a 45" wide. And for good reason--you have to quilt over that seam more than you like. BUT the sheets are too thick and some have too high of a thread count and make quality quilting very difficult.

Now available almost anywhere is Muslin lining up to 120" wide. This would accommodate any quilt you would want to to. Choose a width of Muslin that will give you 4" on each side of the top. Ask the fabric clerk to cut the length to allow 4" at the top AND the bottom of the quilt top.

********

Lay out your Top

The easiest way to get everything straight is to clear out the floor of your biggest room.

Follow these steps:

1. Lay your quilt top down and smooth.
2. Fold the top in half lengthwise.
3. Fold the top in half the other way -You should now have the top folded with four layers.
4. Set aside.
5. Lay the lining on the floor right side down.
6. Smooth--this is important.
7. Put the batting on top of the lining. Make sure it is square with the lining.
8. Smooth--very important
9. Get the top and place the folded top in the lower left section of batting.
10. Carefully, unfold the top.
11. Smooth--Any lumps left at this point will be in your quilt forever. Please take extra time here.
12. Take your pins and BASTE the layers together.
13. Begin at the center and place a pin every 2-3".
14. Place in your frame or hoop.

Quilting in a Hoop?

After completing step number 13 above, simply open your hoop and slide the lower ring UNDER the quilt. Go all the way to the center. ALWAYS begin quilting in the center. Place the top ring over the quilt and tighten the wing nut. Turn the entire work so you are looking at the back of the quilt. Snugly but carefully pull at the lining to remove any wrinkles that were caused when the hoop closed around it. Your lining should look taunt. Turn back to the top and do the same for the top of the quilt.

When you move your hoop you will stay in the center column and move one space below. You will have the center column completed before moving to the side. Work from the center and go outward. The edges will ALWAYS be the last hoops quilted.

You are ready to begin your needlework.   EXCITING!

Quilting on Frames?

If you choose to quilt on a frame there are many diffent kinds of frames available. This method will discuss puttin on a traditional pole frame that stands on legs, similar to the one shown in the right picture. The left picture is of a PVC snap frame that I have no experience with but many people like them.

Once you have completed step #13 above you may roll the quilt in a scroll fashion onto the stretchers. First remove the pins from teh side rails. Roll half of the quilt to each stretcher, apply even pressure while you are turning the quilt. This will prevent a distortion of the layers. If it is not square on the frame it will not be square on the bed.

Repin the quilt to the side rails and add pins anywhere you feel they are needed.  You are ready to begin quilting! Hooray!

Hand Quilting

Are you nervous? Don't be this is the fun part!

Load your needle with about 18" of quilting thread. Tie a knot in one end.

Begin quilting at the right side if you are right handed. Place your left hand under the quilt (if you are left handed just reverse these directions). The point of the needle should glance off  index or middle finger (you can have a piece of leather on this finger but it will be slightly harder to feel the needle and that is important.) Some people turn their finger in a way to allow the needle to glance off of the nail itself.

Stop the needle just as it touches the nail (or you will jab yourself). Using your thumb of your right hand press gently on the top while rocking the needle to bring the tip back to the top. Repeat this until you have your needle full of stitches. Pull the needle through all the stitches. Let the thread come all the way through.

Repeat these steps until you have completed your work area. Move to your next area. It will be slow to start but you will soon pick up speed and your stitches will get smaller and neater.

Soon you will have your quilt completed. Just remove it from your frame and get ready to bind the edges.

Binding

Either use the old fashioned binding of bringing the back to the front and hemming or you can use a bias tape that you make yourself or purchase from the store. Make sure the color goes with the quilt.

ENJOY!

********

These lessons are provided for FREE so please support them by clicking the Helpful button below if you find them to be helpful.

Best wishes, Jenny