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

Exploring Shapes

92 Beginner’s Guide to Quilting

COMPLETING THE PATCHWORK

Step 9 O n c e yo u’ve s ew n a l l t h e

hexagons together, undo the tacking

stitches and remove the papers.

Alternatively, by removing the papers

as you go along, your work will

become more flexible and easier to

handle as you work – as well as saving

you time at the end.

QUILTING THE PATCHWORK

Step 10 In this stage, the three layers –

the finished patchwork, wadding and

backing fabric – are joined together

with a running stitch, worked all around

the edges of the hexagon pieces to

create the raised quilted effect.

Place the cotton backing fabric right

side down with the wadding on top,

then put the assembled patchwork

right side up centrally on top. Now

tack all three layers together, with the

lines of tacking a few inches apart, to

keep it secure. Neatly quilt around

each hexagon shape with a matching

quilting thread.

ASSEMBLING THE LAPTOP CASE

Step 11 Take the completed piece of

patchworked and quilted fabric and

trim the backing fabric and wadding

so that the finished patchwork

m e a s u re s 11x 28½i n ( 28 x72c m). To b e

extra sure, wrap around your laptop

and check the size before you trim.

Step 12 Fold it in half right sides

together widthways and sew together

down both sides making sure you

match the hexagon seams and use

a ¼in (6mm) seam allowance.

Step 13 Repeat this step with the lining

fabric but leave a gap in the centre of

one side for turning later.

Step 17 Turn the whole piece right

sides out through the gap in the lining

and press carefully with an iron. Push

the lining inside the patchwork outer.

Step 18 Choose a good-sized button

in a complementary colour to fit the

loop. Or for an extra co-ordinated

look use a self cover button – wrap a

scrap of your favourite leftover fabric

around the front of the button, secure

at the back with a tacking stitch then

Top tip

Draw a rough

diagram before you

start stitching and

number each

shape.

This wonderfully simple project is ideal for

quilting beginners and is easy to pick up

whenever you have a few moments to spare!

Step 14 Fold the button cord for the

loop in half and place both ends at the

centre of one side of the opening,

tacking them into place.

Step 15 Turn the lining wrong sides out

and place the patchwork outer inside,

matching side seams and raw edges.

Step 16 Neatly stitch together all

around the top using a ¼in (6mm)

seam allowance.

push the backing piece into place.

Fix the button to the front of the laptop

case to line up with the cord loop on

the other side. Slip your laptop inside

and secure the loop to check

everything fits snugly.

NEED A HAND?!

(^) Hexagon template, page 101
(^) Working with hexagons, page 94
(^) Quilting techniques, page 66
(^) Glossary, page 18