The Quilt Sandwich

  When I learned to hand quilt many years ago, the first step in doing so was to learn how to prepare the quilt elements for the quilting process. My early practice quilts were simply pieces of fabric and some batting. The design wasn't important (I didn't know how to piece yet). Later I was introduced to cheater (preprinted) quilt cloth and used them for my practice quilts. Whichever type of quilt top you use, there has to be a quilt sandwich before there can be quilting. Let's get started.

   Prep the fabric. The very first thing I do with my top and backing is press it. Press is the key here..we are not ironing or stretching the fabric, only pressing it. Fabric that has been pressed is much easier to cut. Once pressed, I cut it to size and press it again. I don't starch quilts that I hand quilt because the fabric needs to be supple and soft. Another note, if the fabric seems prone to fray I will serge or zig zag around the edges before basting.  When cutting backing and batting for a quilt I prefer to give two extra inches all around. This allows for shifting and puckering .. no one likes to end up short in the middle of a project..believe me..I've done it. One tip shared by a reader: If the batting is creased spritz with water and toss in the dryer a few minutes.

   Once my fabric is pressed it is time to decide whether to mark the quilt for quilting or if I will free hand the design. This project is to be 'cross hatched' which requires straight lines of equal distances, so marking seems the best choice. My personal quilt scale preference is two inches, so here I have my two inch wide ruler and a chalk marking pencil. Starting corner to corner I line my ruler, mark the sides and work toward the edge with straight diagonals.

   Then it's time to cross the diagonals by going the opposite direction. My lines meet every two inches guiding me to quilt a nice motif across my quilt piece edge to edge.  It is important to note..once a quilt is marked it does not get ironed again. This could permanently set the marking medium damaging the quilt.

   Secure and baste. The elements are ready. Place the backing right side down onto a surface and secure it tightly (but not stretching it) to the surface. Lay the batting on top of this and smooth it out, starting in the center and working toward the edges. Finally the top is placed right side up and, again, smooth it from the center outward. For a large quilt, I also secure the top..but with this small one I have only secured the bottom.

   Two primary basting method I have used are thread basting and pin basting. To thread baste we simply make large stitches starting in the quilt center and moving toward the edges. I generally pin baste with small safety pins..again starting in the middle and working toward the edges. One wonderful help in basting is this Kwick Klip tool. It provides a surface to catch you pin (or needle) with saving your finger from a lot of pain.
Before this nifty little thing came along I used a kitchen spoon- which, by the way, can leave nicks in the spoon.

   Working from the center, I pin hand's width apart smoothing the layers as I go to prevent wrinkles along the way. Here is my pin basted quilt piece completely basted and ready for the frame. Large quilts would be loaded onto my frame, but since this is a small one it will be quilted with a hoop. Quilting hoops are not the same as embroidery hoops. An embroidery hoop is narrow and would not hold up to the quilt layers. A quilting hoop is thicker and a little heavier.

   Embroidery projects need to be taut in the hoop; not a quilt. A hand quilt in a hoop needs enough slack to work through the quilt motion. Here is my small quilt practice sandwich marked, basted and set in the hoop ready for quilting.

   If you are interested in joining me in stitching the cross hatch sample, we will be setting down and starting the stitches next week. Have your sandwiches ready, some quilting thread with a good needle and a comfy thimble.

   Questions, tips or experiences to share? I love hearing from you!

    Let's make something beautiful!







  

Quilting or Piecing?

   I want to learn to quilt... this comment is heard and used by many once they realize you are a quilter, but it is often misused. I myself wanted to learn to quilt..and learn I did, but I didn't realize until years later there is a difference between quilting and piecing.

   Quilting is the act of stitching together the layers..top, batting, backing. Hand or machine stitches secure the 'sandwich' giving it strength and stability by use of basic design or elaborate motifs. Quilting can be effective in random designs completely unrelated to the fabric or piecing, however, some quilters prefer artistic motifs to enhance the design and decor of the quilt. Being a rather traditional quilter, my designs are generally echo or simple so as not to detract from the piecing of the top..although one of my daughters is testing the waters in art quilt designs and pushing me beyond the boundaries of my comfort zone.

   Piecing is the act of cutting the fabric and stitching it together to create a top or back for a quilt. Fabrics and layouts of every style imaginable..appliques and trapundo. I learned piecing after learning to quilt, which seems backward to many people. Piecing, to me is a beautiful way to 'paint with fabric' and push the creative limits of textile and thread. I love piecing, but do tend toward more rustic styles..old quilt patterns from days gone by brought back to life with calico and cotton. Yet again, the artist in the family is pressing me forward as we branch into painted designs and artistic applique.
   When someone approaches me with a desire to quilt, I always try to clarify whether it is piecing or quilting they are looking for. Often the answer is both and that's fine... I encourage people to learn both, though many feel they can piece but have no patience for the quilting part (my Jenn is like that).

    As we ponder this realization this week, let me prepare you. Next Monday we will be looking at putting the quilt sandwich together while exploring a few different ways to baste a quilt. All this is in preparation for starting a foundational hand quilting design- the cross hatch. If you would be interested in quilting along with us you will need a top and back fabric- any fabric you choose, with any design- and a piece of batting the same size, and a large hoop. My fabric is cotton blend and my batting is warm and natural cut in 15" square.  Needle, thread and thimbles with a good pair of scissors.
   Snuggle into a comfy chair, sip some warm tea and let's go make something beautiful.

Shared on: Dolly's Designs

Working with Frames and Hoops

   Hand quilting often brings to mind images of grandmotherly women perched around an old wood frame, needle in hand, stitching and chatting. Well, let me say, that is a rare sight. Most of us quilt alone in our homes one project at a time. As quilting habits have changed over the years, so have quilting frames.

   Traditional quilt frames generally were wooden and large enough for a king size bed quilt. This in mind, these frames took up an entire room when set up which wasn't a problem when the frame was only up for a day of quilting with the ladies. In our day and time, this is not at all practical.

 

    One of my early frames was a simple set up purchased from Hobby Lobby. Well fitted for a large quilt, my husband cut shorter pieces for smaller projects such as this small baby quilt (above). Though it was much smaller than the traditional frame my grandmother had, it still took up a hefty portion of the room, and was cumbersome to reach across for quilting the top or middle of the quilt section.

   This frame, a Flynn, (also pictured at very top) was a wonderful find. The original kit fits a crib size quilt and is easily adapted for larger projects. Having the option of rolling the quilt unbasted on three poles is handy for smaller quilts, but I find it not practical for larger bed quilts. The narrow frame is adjustable in height and tilt..making it easy to reach all areas of the quilt section. As far as frames go, this is my favorite.

   Admittedly, there are sometimes designs that are just plain difficult to maneuver in a frame. Here is where the hoop comes in handy. My hoop is a 12" large wood hoop..this one is thick..narrow wooden frames just won't support the many layers of a quilt. Here you see my daughter's vintage star quilt with a scattered star motif. There was no way on earth I wanted to contort myself to quilt this image on a frame..the hoop saved the day.

   When a quilting project is ready to set in frame several things are taken into consideration before I decide which frame will be used or whether a hoop is the better choice.

    1. Availability? Before I had a frame of any kind I used the wooden hoops for all my hand quilting projects. Frames came as finances and space allowed. The reality is..any quilt can be done in a hoop.

    2.  Space? I don't always have room for the frame set up, especially around holidays. A hoop can easily be tucked away when the project is 'resting'...as can some frames. The Flynn frame can stand upright and roll out of the way. Space is a big factor in planning hoop or frame. 

    3.  Size? Little projects are hoop projects, but larger quilts often work better on a frame. The frame keeps the fabric from touching the floor, so larger projects stay neatly rolled while I work. 

    4.  Design? As with the vintage star quilt, some designs are just hard to manage on a frame meaning a hoop would be much easier. 

   Join the discussion and share your experiences with hand quilting. Have questions? Feel free to leave them in the comment section or email me at simplyscaife@yahoo.com.