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Can someone help me with basic quilting?

I’ve never made a quilt before, but I’m pretty good with sewing and all that stuff. I am just confused because I’ve been researching it online and websites are so unorganized and unclear. Do I make each block individual with a top, batting, and a back and then attach all the blocks together? or do I make the whole top of the quilt with blocks of fabric, then put the batting under the entire top piece and then a back? And what is the best way to attach individual blocks together if that is the method and i want to use a sewing machine?

The great thing about quilting is you can do it however you want. Traditional quiltmakers piece the entire top first, then sandwich it with the batting and backing, quilt it, trim the excess backing and batting, and then put on the binding. They may do any or all of it by hand or with a machine.

In order to quilt a very large quilt, you need to either
a. push and pull it on a regular sewing machine, which is very difficult for a beginner (and most experienced quilters as well)
b. have a mid-arm or long arm machine and frame setup, which can be fairly expensive, or
c. send it out to be quilted by someone else, which can also add up.

To deal with the problems involved in quilting a large quilt, people have devised ways to break it down into smaller “quiltable” sections, whether they’re blocks, strips, or medallions and borders. There’s an excellent book that deals with all of the different ways to quilt smaller sections, called “Divide and Conquer” from Possibilities (by Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan).

You can also make “rag quilts” out of squares that are assembled after quilting. These are usually made of three layers of flannel (no batting). The squares are simply quilted (usually just an X in a box) and then sewn together with a large seam allowance, leaving the seam allowances visible on one side. You cut the fabric that’s sticking up and wash it so it frays. It’s a great way to do a quick, casual throw.

There are so many ways to accomplish every step in quilting – some emphasizing making it easier, some that focus on making it more accurate. I recommend checking out a few beginning quilting books. The best is one by Fons & Porter, “Quilter’s Complete Guide.” This is often used in classes, and covers just about everything you need to know about quilting. You can also pick up their magazine, “Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting” – it’s in many grocery stores and has a great range of projects. You could also try Alex Anderson’s “Start Quilting”, which is the book my beginning class used.

If you have a chance to take a class, it’s definitely worth the expense. There’s nothing like having someone who knows what they’re doing available to explain things. Failing that, check out QNNTV online – it’s 24 hours a day of quilting videos.

Also, check out some of the Yahoo Groups on quilting. There are thousands, and I’m sure there are some that would appeal to you.

If you want, feel free to e-mail me through my Profile page – just click on my avatar or name, and then click “email swbiblio.” This way both of our e-mail addresses are kept private. I love to give my opinion (really!), and I’ve been quilting for several years. If I don’t know the answer, I can probably find it.

Good luck – quilting is addictive!

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