How to Make a Quilt

Making your first quilt is probably one of the most exciting, exhilarating things you can do. It can also be extremely challenging to get all of the many rules down and understood before you begin.

To an advanced quilter, things like piecing and basting a quilt is really no big deal. Unfortunately these are the areas that can be most troublesome for a beginning quilter.

But not to worry! If you take your time you will learn the basics very quickly. Click on the links below to learn more about each quilting topic.

The very best way to get started making a quilt is to first collect your supplies. I don't recommend a ton of supplies, but there are certain tools that will definitely make your life much easier.

The next step will be to gain some understanding of what a quilt is. Many people use different definitions of what a quilt is and what counts as quilting as what doesn't. It's good to understand what a quilt really is so that way we're all on the same page.

After gaining a definition of a quilt, we can then start to talk about piecing. Now, a quilt doesn't have to be pieced in order to be a quilt. Wholecloth quilts, for instance, are quilts made from one single piece of fabric on the front and the back. The designs is completely created by the intricate quilting pattern used to stitch the quilt together.

Many quilters start by piecing patchwork quilts however. Fabric is first prewashed and then cut into pieces and arranged into blocks. Blocks are then sewn back together to form a quilt top. If the blocks are sewn badly, the quilt top and ultimately the quilt will come out badly. It's important to always take time to do each step properly because in quilting every step depends on the next step.

After getting your quilt top finished, you'll be ready to pick out a batting and baste your quilt. Basting is the process of sandwiching the three layers (top, batting, and backing) and holding them together securely until you can quilt them together. There are many different ways of basting a quilt, and lots of different opinions on how to get the job done quick and easy.

Once your quilt is basted, then it's time to quilt! This is the process of stitching the three layers together with thread. You can quilt by hand or by machine, depending on how long you're willing to work on your quilt.

The quilting pattern you use on your quilt can actually create a whole different design on the quilt top. My favorite part of quilting is the process of finding a quilting design that accents the piecing pattern and adds to the overall quilt.

Once your whole quilt top is together with beautiful quilting stitches, then it will be time to bind your quilt. Binding is the process of attaching a thin strip of fabric to the edge of your quilt. This can be attached by machine and really helps to finish your quilt off securely.

If you're planning on entering your quilt in a show or have created it for a family keepsake, you'll definitely want to create a tag and hanging sleeve for your quilt. This way your descendants 100 years from now will know that you created that special quilt!

Quilting is an extremely fun, creative hobby. It's so much fun to play with different fabrics and create new, beautiful quilts.

Need a good pattern to start your first quilt? Check out The Food Quilt Pattern, a beginner quilt pattern that will be the perfect start to your quilting adventure!

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