Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

All about...

QUILTING

W

hen we talk about ‘quilting’

we don’t just mean making

a quilt. We’re actually

talking about the straight or

decorative stitching that you sew

through all three layers of your

‘quilt sandwich’ to secure them but

also to add depth and texture.

Additionally, if the layers of your

project include wadding (a padded layer,

also known as batting), you’ll need to

quilt to make sure it doesn’t fall apart in

the wash later on.

Decorative quilting, however simple, is

where a quilt springs to life, adding

surface texture and embellishment.

There are many options out there for you

to try – you can stitch by hand or

machine, stitch ‘in the ditch’ in straight

lines, geometric patterns or even get

creative with free-motion stitching (see

page 147). But first, here are the basics...

WHAT PATTERN SHOULD I QUILT?

When you’re starting out, straight-line

quilting is easiest. You’ll only need

minimal marking before you get

stitching and you can gradually build up

patterns as you go. The following are just

a few of our favourite techniques.

In-the-ditch quilting 1 2

Follow the seam lines of your patchwork

blocks or the smaller units that make up

the blocks. Most quilters stitch in the

ditch with a machine, but you can easily

stitch by hand if preferred. In-the-ditch

quilting can be the main stitched design,

or you can use it to secure the basic areas

of a quilt before you go on to add more

detailed stitched patterns.

Outline or contour quilting 3

Follow the patchwork or appliqué shapes

in your quilt top. Work a small distance

away from the seams (usually ¼ or^38 in).

Keep a consistent distance for a neat

effect. If you’re quilting by machine, use

the width of the machine foot as a guide.

Grid or crosshatch quilting 4

Quilt in parallel lines in a grid pattern or

diagonal crosshatch pattern. This is very

easy and great for adding interest to

plain fabric sections. If you’re quilting by

hand, mark the lines lightly with a pencil

or make creases first.

Echo quilting 5

Similar to contour quilting but you repeat

the shape lines again and again in an

outwards direction, rippling out and

following the shape. This is useful for

outlining appliqué motifs.

HOW TO MARK A DESIGN

For a neat finish, mark the patterns you

want to quilt before you start stitching.

For in-the-ditch quilting or following

designs in your patchwork you may not

need marks, but for other techniques it

works as a handy guide.

Simple quilting lines can be marked

with a ruler and pencil or erasable pen,

alternatively run tailor’s chalk against

the edge of strips of masking tape.

Another option is to use a ‘hera’ marker

or blunt needle to make a temporary

crease, which you then quilt over.

Test your marking tools first – how

well do they mark? Do the marks come

Quilting isn’t just the process of making beautiful bags and

bedspreads – the word also refers to stitching through layers

of fabric to secure them and create texture. Here’s how...

All about Quilting

66 Beginner’s Guide to Quilting

IN-THE-DITCH QUILTING OUTLINE OR CONTOUR QUILTING

1 23

Seams pressed^2

to one side

Quilting following

seam line