I'm thinking of finally starting a quilt, now that my sewing machine is all spiffed up. The plan is to cut out diamonds from my cotton velvet scraps (all dark jewel tones, yummy) and have at it.

If I get bored of it, I'll cut some bitchin' pants out of whatever I get done...

"Got no flowers for your gun, no hippie chick...
Won't make love to change your mind no hippie chick...
No hippie chick...
No hippie chick...
No hip, hip, hip, hip
Hip-hop"

I've been wanting to make one. I just have to get a sewing machine first. HGTV rocks! Have you watched "Simply Quilts" on there?

No, no cable. I know that I'd get more done if we had cable. There's a computer right next to the TV.

Try pulling it up on the web:

http://www.HGTV.com


They have a pretty nifty website.

I have some of the squares for my quilt cut out. I have a hard time cutting the squares all the right size. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to keep the edges straight?

I'm making a black and red check quilt for my bed.

Use a fabric pencil and ruler and mark out your lines on the wrong side of the fabric. Cut.

Anonymous wrote:I have some of the squares for my quilt cut out. I have a hard time cutting the squares all the right size. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to keep the edges straight?

I'm making a black and red check quilt for my bed.

Buy a template at WallMart, or JoAnn's , or somesuch. You can also make one, but make sure it's out of heavy paper or cardboard. If you have trouble measuring or cutting, go with the store bought version. They come in a lot of shapes and sizes.

The thing about quilt squares is that the seam allowance covers a lot of sins - sewing the squares evenly is far more important than cutting the seams evenly.

Now, I don't know what kind of fabric you're using. Natural fibers tend to cut better, and heavier fabric cuts better. In general. You'll want to use similar weight and washing fabrics. That's why my quilt will be dark jewels (same wash, no real fear of colors running) and cotton velvet (similar weight, so the quilt will lie smoothly, and I'm a snob, so natural only); if I add a fabric, it'll be heavy raw silk - similar in weight, delicate wash.

Also, our lovely local HGTV has a quilting section.

Thanks! I've got a poly cotton for the black, and am currently looking for a sutible red fabrick. I want a dark red, so I'm taking my time. I was also planning on washing the materials a few times to get most of the bleeding out of the way. I've never quilted before so I'm not sure how this whole thing works.

Quilting has never in the least bit interested me...maybe 'cause I associate it with my ex mother in law *cringe*...

But, come to think of it...a dark and spooky quilt for my wrought iron canopy bed would be pretty cool...

>>LadyIvanna bounces in her chair, with hand raised , in her best Horseshack imitation:

Ooo!Ooo! Mr. Kata, can we staaat a quilting bee?

The little patchwork bag I made for my cd player was HARD. I made a template for a 2 1/2 inch square out of PAPER. I didn't know any better. Also, using satin, velvet, silk, and stiff upholstery fabric made the squares look like they were different sizes. I didn't think about looking for templates at Joanne's. But, I started it on a Whim because I had a bag full of beautiful fabrics.

Next time I start something like this I will have to consult the KG Craft Circle.

P.S. I'm working on a neck corset right now. We'll see how she turns out.

P.P.S. me gots no sewing machine either.*pout*

I have started making a halloweenie quilt! It's my first ever, so I am kind of learning as I go. I went to booksamillion and glanced over a couple books on quilting, but damn, it's not the easiest thing in the world to do. If anyone has any tips, please, send em my way!

I bought a bunch of halloween fabric from joanns with pumpkins, cats, and bats....and some with stripes. I hope it turns out OK.

I, seriously, think it would be a great idea to figure out a day, time and place for most everyone to get together, bring sewing machines, munchies, and quilt. Those of you that know about quilting already could pass along your infinate wisdom to the gothlings that want to learn.(I fall in between. Made a really ugly, horrible quilt for my grandmother when I was 10. She loved it though. Used it as a lap warmer till the day she died.) I sorta know how to quilt, but I'm a horrible seamstress. I really need help there!!!

I can't offer much help other than advice from afar, but i've been quilting for ages and i do have a few tips.

I got started using a tool called a Speed Grid that i got at Hancock Fabrics. It's a template that you can use to help you quickly make batches of diagonally-seamed two-tone squares. These can be arranged into a number of different patterns (Pinwheels, zigzags, etc). I used this template to make my first 3 quilts.

If you are serious about it (meaning, if you think it's a hobby you are willing to invest some money in, that is) i say get yourself a rotary cutter (like a pizza cutter for fabric) and a self-healing cutting mat. You can cut a whole stack of fabric in one pass, and get completely straight lines.

Another thing that got me going really quickly is a fabric printed with patterns for squares called Foundation by the Yard, which you can get at JoAnns and stuff around here. You buy panels of the fabric and follow the directions on it to do a method of quilting called Foundation Piecing.

Also, some terms to google-search on for more fun methods are strip piecing, string quilts, and paper piecing, all of which i find to be fast ways to make quilt tops.

Good luck, and post pix, y'all! I love seeing other people's quilty work!

Ladybee

i do some quilting. i make people quilts for x-mas in my family. i hate cutting the squares...i need a square-cuttin-biatch.

My child attends Head Start...

(no, now stick with me here, I am on topic, I promise)

and I got the monthly letter today in his little file
and it announced, among other things,
that there is a sewing circle, and they are learning to do quilts this month.

now, I live in the sticks waaay far away from everyone else, but Head Start is in other cities, too, so maybe that is one avenue for whomever wishes to learn some sewing machine skills.

I very seldom show up at my children's school in goth, but could you just imagine the looks on those peoples faces to show up at a head start sewing circle in full goth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My department at work is sewing quilts! We are making a baby quilt for one of our vendors! And they promised to help with squares for the quilt on my bed! Sweet!

I could supply the cabin on the lake for a quilting bee... lemme know what you think. I really want to start quilting. But I don't want to do the traditional stuff. (why do I have to be so complicated!?!) And the project I tried a month ago turned out just aweful. I need guidance.

Just let me know a good weekend and I'll book it. There are tons of folding tables and electrical outlets. We can make it a overnight thing as well. lots of coffee... Mmmmmm....

I have a rotary cutter and a self healing thingamagig that grandma loaned me but I dont have room in my little apartment to set up my sewing machine (which is REALLY OLD).

Wheee!!

Arlene

P.S. If you happen to wonder into kville again LadyB your more than welcome to join us!

I'm all in. I've wanted to learn to quilt. I figure I'll start w/ something really simple. Let me know if anyone is going to get together on this. If you're looking for patterns, do a search for "free quilt patterns" . I found many tipical ones. I'd love to see pics, too.