Advice needed: How to cut fabric
#1
Advice needed: How to cut fabric
Our church has been given a large amount of quilting fabric that we plan to use to make 20 large lap quilts (60"x72") for a children's home.
We're starting what I call a weekly "Quilt Block Party" and asking for volunteers to come make blocks and as we get enough for a quilt, we will put it together by tying. Some ladies will sew, some press, some tie depending on their comfort level.
Would you have the fabric pre-cut ( what size) so volunteers could just come in, grab some fabric & start to sew or what? I'm leaning to simple patterns like 4-patch, 9-patch, etc. for a 12" finished block. No sashings & no borders.
Another goal is to get our youth interested in learning how to sew so we will be working with all skill levels.
Oh, and another goal: have quilts done by Christmas.
We're starting what I call a weekly "Quilt Block Party" and asking for volunteers to come make blocks and as we get enough for a quilt, we will put it together by tying. Some ladies will sew, some press, some tie depending on their comfort level.
Would you have the fabric pre-cut ( what size) so volunteers could just come in, grab some fabric & start to sew or what? I'm leaning to simple patterns like 4-patch, 9-patch, etc. for a 12" finished block. No sashings & no borders.
Another goal is to get our youth interested in learning how to sew so we will be working with all skill levels.
Oh, and another goal: have quilts done by Christmas.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,735
I think that I would have some of the fabric cut so that those who want to start sewing can do so. If you are going to have some of the volunteers cut, they could be doing that while others start sewing on fabric that is already cut. The size that the fabric would be cut would depend on what pattern you are using for your blocks.
If you are on a time crunch, it might be better to not involve anyone without some experience. While it would be nice, this might not be the project to introduce people to quilting. The amount of time spent teaching them could seriously cut into the amount of time you have to sew thus causing you to miss your time frame. Maybe they could be involved in another project without time constraints.
If you are on a time crunch, it might be better to not involve anyone without some experience. While it would be nice, this might not be the project to introduce people to quilting. The amount of time spent teaching them could seriously cut into the amount of time you have to sew thus causing you to miss your time frame. Maybe they could be involved in another project without time constraints.
Last edited by cashs_mom; 03-05-2019 at 10:22 AM.
#3
I think that I would have some of the fabric cut so that those who want to start sewing can do so. If you are going to have some of the volunteers cut, they could be doing that while others start sewing on fabric that is already cut. The size that the fabric would be cut would depend on what pattern you are using for your blocks.
If you are on a time crunch, it might be better to not involve anyone without some experience. While it would be nice, this might not be the project to introduce people to quilting. The amount of time spent teaching them could seriously cut into the amount of time you have to sew thus causing you to miss your time frame. Maybe they could be involved in another project without time constraints.
If you are on a time crunch, it might be better to not involve anyone without some experience. While it would be nice, this might not be the project to introduce people to quilting. The amount of time spent teaching them could seriously cut into the amount of time you have to sew thus causing you to miss your time frame. Maybe they could be involved in another project without time constraints.
#6
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 69
misseva, I commend you for your undertaking!
But I do have one concern; since you mentioned that you would be donating them to a "Children's Home" and also mentioned "tying" the quilts.
I would check with the Children's Home and make sure they accept tied quilts.
From what I've seen online, "Quilts for Kids", etc.., many organizations don't accept tied quilts.
I would hate for you all to put in that work only to be heartbroken in the end! Good luck and Bless you all.
But I do have one concern; since you mentioned that you would be donating them to a "Children's Home" and also mentioned "tying" the quilts.
I would check with the Children's Home and make sure they accept tied quilts.
From what I've seen online, "Quilts for Kids", etc.., many organizations don't accept tied quilts.
I would hate for you all to put in that work only to be heartbroken in the end! Good luck and Bless you all.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
What a meaningful investment of time and talent you’re heading up. That’s wonderful.
If I were leading, I’d make kits. Precut all the fabric with a little leftover uncut for goofs, and pack it neatly in a gallon or two-gallon ziploc bag with thread, pattern, cheap seam ripper and maybe a small pincushion with pins. That way each person has everything at the ready and can just get busy sewing when they arrive. Have them put their name on the kit and all supplues back before leaving.
I would choose simple patterns like you have in mind. Even jelly rolls you make with your own selection of fabrics would be quick, and kids or newbies like to complete projects in just a couple sittings.
Good point about checking the requirements of the organization you’re donating to. Isn’t Straight line quilting easier than tying? I’d leave the quilting to those with that skill . Ties can be itchy, in my experience.
If I were leading, I’d make kits. Precut all the fabric with a little leftover uncut for goofs, and pack it neatly in a gallon or two-gallon ziploc bag with thread, pattern, cheap seam ripper and maybe a small pincushion with pins. That way each person has everything at the ready and can just get busy sewing when they arrive. Have them put their name on the kit and all supplues back before leaving.
I would choose simple patterns like you have in mind. Even jelly rolls you make with your own selection of fabrics would be quick, and kids or newbies like to complete projects in just a couple sittings.
Good point about checking the requirements of the organization you’re donating to. Isn’t Straight line quilting easier than tying? I’d leave the quilting to those with that skill . Ties can be itchy, in my experience.
Last edited by zozee; 03-05-2019 at 01:15 PM.
#8
Yes, I worked with a sister church in our community. However the quilt blocks were actually four 30" x 36" pieces of fabric sewed together like a giant four patch making a 60 x 80" quilt, then tied. They were taken to an orphanage here in our state. And yes, I know this will be more complicated.
I have thought about cutting the fabric into charm squares and layer cakes because there are so many different patterns for this size and they could be mixed or matched. (I realize the block size would have to be altered if we used 5" squares). One thing I noticed about having everyone sew the same thing is boredom sets in with the more experienced quilters.
I have thought about cutting the fabric into charm squares and layer cakes because there are so many different patterns for this size and they could be mixed or matched. (I realize the block size would have to be altered if we used 5" squares). One thing I noticed about having everyone sew the same thing is boredom sets in with the more experienced quilters.
#9
What a meaningful investment of time and talent you’re heading up. That’s wonderful.
If I were leading, I’d make kits. Precut all the fabric with a little leftover uncut for goofs, and pack it neatly in a gallon or two-gallon ziploc bag with thread, pattern, cheap seam ripper and maybe a small pincushion with pins. That way each person has everything at the ready and can just get busy sewing when they arrive. Have them put their name on the kit and all supplues back before leaving.
I would choose simple patterns like you have in mind. Even jelly rolls you make with your own selection of fabrics would be quick, and kids or newbies like to complete projects in just a couple sittings.
Good point about checking the requirements of the organization you’re donating to. Isn’t Straight line quilting easier than tying? I’d leave the quilting to those with that skill . Ties can be itchy, in my experience.
If I were leading, I’d make kits. Precut all the fabric with a little leftover uncut for goofs, and pack it neatly in a gallon or two-gallon ziploc bag with thread, pattern, cheap seam ripper and maybe a small pincushion with pins. That way each person has everything at the ready and can just get busy sewing when they arrive. Have them put their name on the kit and all supplues back before leaving.
I would choose simple patterns like you have in mind. Even jelly rolls you make with your own selection of fabrics would be quick, and kids or newbies like to complete projects in just a couple sittings.
Good point about checking the requirements of the organization you’re donating to. Isn’t Straight line quilting easier than tying? I’d leave the quilting to those with that skill . Ties can be itchy, in my experience.
The only thing about straight line quilting is the need for binding and that's a whole 'nuther project that I'm not ready to tackle. I don't like binding my own quilts much less 20.
#10
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Des Moines Iowa
Posts: 88
misseva, I commend you for your undertaking!
But I do have one concern; since you mentioned that you would be donating them to a "Children's Home" and also mentioned "tying" the quilts.
I would check with the Children's Home and make sure they accept tied quilts.
From what I've seen online, "Quilts for Kids", etc.., many organizations don't accept tied quilts.
I would hate for you all to put in that work only to be heartbroken in the end! Good luck and Bless you all.
But I do have one concern; since you mentioned that you would be donating them to a "Children's Home" and also mentioned "tying" the quilts.
I would check with the Children's Home and make sure they accept tied quilts.
From what I've seen online, "Quilts for Kids", etc.., many organizations don't accept tied quilts.
I would hate for you all to put in that work only to be heartbroken in the end! Good luck and Bless you all.
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