Birthing a Quilt
04-09-2012, 12:24 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 365
I use the birthing method on some quilts and I quilt them and they don't lay flat but neither do the ones that I bind! I quilt for the fun of it not for perfection. I give my quilts to those who don't look for the flaws and there are plenty!
04-09-2012, 04:02 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: North Pole
Posts: 1,643
Thanks for the info!! I may try that with a baby quilt ...I learn something new every day!!
Pat, a birthed (or envelope, or pillowcase) style quiltis one where you make a sandwich of batting, backing then top, with the last 2 right sides together. You sew most of the way around the outside, turn it right side out, then sew up the part of the edge you left open.
Notes: It is important to have a fairly stable batting (I use thermore, which is VERY stable). The batting and backing should also be well pressed with starch or sizing, which also stabilizes the whole thing. After I turn it right side out , and have sewn the opening, DH and I 'play tug of war'. We pull the whole thing on each diagonal and pull it firmly lengthwise. This seems to help get the 3 layers to grab each other. I then pin baste quilte well before quilting. If I am going to do complex FMQ, I first do a basting stitch along the center in each direction for additional stability. Otherwise, I quilt centerlines and work out from there. I have wrists that give me trouble if I tie, so I never do.
Notes: It is important to have a fairly stable batting (I use thermore, which is VERY stable). The batting and backing should also be well pressed with starch or sizing, which also stabilizes the whole thing. After I turn it right side out , and have sewn the opening, DH and I 'play tug of war'. We pull the whole thing on each diagonal and pull it firmly lengthwise. This seems to help get the 3 layers to grab each other. I then pin baste quilte well before quilting. If I am going to do complex FMQ, I first do a basting stitch along the center in each direction for additional stability. Otherwise, I quilt centerlines and work out from there. I have wrists that give me trouble if I tie, so I never do.
04-09-2012, 04:21 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CT New Haven County
Posts: 1,498
I birth a lot of my quilts - have done as large as 72 x 72. They stay flat (I do starch the back and I use Warm and Natural or Warm and White batting and I do press them) and i have not ever had trouble FMQing even with some fairly complex patterns. I have the Baby Lok Quilter's Pro and I just drop the feeddogs and go.
04-09-2012, 04:39 AM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: chicago, IL
Posts: 9,589
I wouldn't recommend it for larger than a twin size...I use this method on lap quilts and baby quilts all the time.
I have only had one real stinker that wouldn't lay flat at the edges...so I put binding on it to cover the issues.
I have only had one real stinker that wouldn't lay flat at the edges...so I put binding on it to cover the issues.
04-09-2012, 12:53 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 2,957
I have "given birth" to many quilts. After I have the sandwich made I pin it flat as you would when getting ready to machine quilt a top. I then sew around the edges leaving space to birth the quilt. Remove pins and turn right sides out. Stitch opening. Lay it flat again and pin and then I go ahead and machine quilt it and have had no problem with bunching. Hope this helps.
04-09-2012, 06:40 PM
#18
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Stagecoach, NV
Posts: 1,587
Thanks everyone for your helpful hints. I will be doing this on a baby quilt that is not too large. Hopefully will be able to post a picture of the finished quilt by September.
04-09-2012, 08:46 PM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
I tack all my smaller quilts---------because I hate hand quilting. I also hate the term "birthing". I'm old and to me it's just turning a quilt inside out. Most of my baby and personal sized quilts are turned inside out.
04-09-2012, 08:50 PM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
A fancy way of saying you've turned the right sides out--------as in inside out-----------when you sandwich a quilt with right sides together and sew around the edges except for a small opening to turn the quilt.
I've birthed three kids and "birthing" a quilt just rubs me wrong.. Chalk it up to me being old and grumpy.
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