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How to Quilt
Imagine 10 women chatting around a quilting frame, teaching their daughters how to quilt. Each week they gather to work on a project - making a quilt for a newborn, a son going off to serve his country, a daughter getting married, or quilts to keep a family warm.This scene is just as likely to take place today as it was two hundred years ago. Making a quilt is a craft that crosses generations and cultures.
A quilt is composed of three layers: the top, a filling (batting), and a backing. The layers are sewn together or tied with knots to keep the batting from shifting around. The quilt is then finished with binding.
Often beginning quilters use block patterns that have been around for many years. Nine patch quilt blocks, log cabin quilt patterns, and star quilt patterns offer a variety of design opportunities while being easy to make.
The quilt top is made by sewing some number of quilt blocks together. The size of each block and how many blocks are sewn together will determine how large the quilt is.
The fun begins when you take the pieces in the block and decide what color fabric will be placed in each position. It could be a total scrap patchwork quilt, with a random design. Or, you could use fabric that is carefully planned.
Many quilters use a single piece of fabric for the back. Without seams, it makes quilting easier; and if the quilt is on a bed or hanging on a wall, the back may not be seen, and effort put into creating a fabulous back may go unappreciated.
Batting choices seem endless today. Many quilters use flannel, some quilters prefer cotton batting, and some like cotton-polyester. Polyester batting is the choice of some quilters; wool and silk are also popular. The use of the quilt may determine the type of batting.
A quilt is often described as sandwich since there are three layers, and the batting is like the filling between two pieces of bread. The backing is on the bottom, then comes the batting, and then the quilt top.
Once the layers are stretched and even, they are secured with hand quilting, machine quilting, or simple knots.
The variety of quilting stitches used is as wide as the number of quilters around the world. From the simple to the complex, the artist turns the practical into the beautiful.
And the finishing touch is the binding. Wrapped around the edges of the quilt, the binding keeps the layers together and adds a frame to the quilt picture.
Sounds simple! And really, it is. Women using fire for light, crude needles, thread and scissors made creations that will be treasured for generations to come . both in homes and in museums. You, too, can make a family heirloom that will leave your legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com Inspiration and Education for Beginning Quilters
www.Rag-Quilt-Instructions.com Fast, Fun and Funky Quilts
This article courtesy of http://www.How-to-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
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