My 2 hour quilt
08-26-2011, 10:17 PM
#1
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A few years back I was asked to prepare an exhibit for begining quilters. I made examples of fairly simple quilts, kits of basic paper piecing, then got the idea to do this quilt as you go project. My first one took 2 1/2 hours, while I was also teaching paper piecing and explaining the quilint process to a large number of quilt show attendees, many of them small children. It has always been a hit, so I have made several of the quilt-as-you-go project, although I usually don't repeat designs.
The idea is simple. Lay out your backing and batting. Prepare your center piece. I usually use a piece 18"x27-36. I fold it both ways and cut off all 4 corners. The triciest part is getting it exactly centered on the batting. I pin it. Sometimes, but not always, I quilt the center before I go on.
I take strips of fabric, and work around the edges of the center, sewing them on. My strips are anywhere from 1 1/2" to 3". They are sometimes random scraps. I finger press each one open, then cross it and continue around the center. The tricky looking intersections are merely cut parallel to the other fabrics.
At some point, I have covered the batting , except for the corners. Now I use the pieces I cut off esarlier. In this quilt, I added edges to the triangles before I sewed them on, then top stitched the corners. Now it is ready to bind.
My backing is flannel. The batting I prefer is Thermore, because it is very warm and does not tend to slide against my fabric. It will go to a destitute mother or a small child in out of home placement.
The idea is simple. Lay out your backing and batting. Prepare your center piece. I usually use a piece 18"x27-36. I fold it both ways and cut off all 4 corners. The triciest part is getting it exactly centered on the batting. I pin it. Sometimes, but not always, I quilt the center before I go on.
I take strips of fabric, and work around the edges of the center, sewing them on. My strips are anywhere from 1 1/2" to 3". They are sometimes random scraps. I finger press each one open, then cross it and continue around the center. The tricky looking intersections are merely cut parallel to the other fabrics.
At some point, I have covered the batting , except for the corners. Now I use the pieces I cut off esarlier. In this quilt, I added edges to the triangles before I sewed them on, then top stitched the corners. Now it is ready to bind.
My backing is flannel. The batting I prefer is Thermore, because it is very warm and does not tend to slide against my fabric. It will go to a destitute mother or a small child in out of home placement.
Fish Fun, waiting for the binding
[ATTACH=CONFIG]247257[/ATTACH]
center section pin basted on batting/backing
[ATTACH=CONFIG]247258[/ATTACH]
Trimming an already sewn strip
[ATTACH=CONFIG]247259[/ATTACH]
08-26-2011, 10:23 PM
#2
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Sometimes I stop sewing a strip 1/4" from the end, then fold back the batting and slide in a cutting board (my 6"er hasn't shown up from out move) so I can use my rotary cutter. More often, I use scissors.In either case, be careful to follow the fabric edge. More often, I attach the NEXT strip, then go back and cut the last one to length. You can do the same thing with a rectangle, but it is not as interesting, IMHO.
I see that pix 3 and 4 are reversed. When I don't want to finger press, I use a paper hanger's edge roller. It makes a great "iron".
I see that pix 3 and 4 are reversed. When I don't want to finger press, I use a paper hanger's edge roller. It makes a great "iron".
Pressing the seam before adding the next strip
[ATTACH=CONFIG]247260[/ATTACH]
08-26-2011, 10:29 PM
#4
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Thank you Coloradosky.
Try this pattern. You will find it is remarkably easy for a small quilt. It gets awkward if you go to twin size, but it's perfect for that fabric you don't really want to cut up and/or when you just found out you're going to a baby shower in a day or 2.
Try this pattern. You will find it is remarkably easy for a small quilt. It gets awkward if you go to twin size, but it's perfect for that fabric you don't really want to cut up and/or when you just found out you're going to a baby shower in a day or 2.
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