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Newbie quilter here, and my first finished black and white quilt top: It's actually upside down in this pic I just noticed, but never mind. Still to go is a red border, followed by black border and binding. Woot! I have to say, I'm addicted. I have three in cutting phase as we speak. Actually I think I just love having justification for buying all these gorgeous fabrics I keep seeing!
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Mar 2, 2008 11:17
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boscokitty posted:Anyway, I typed too much, but what I'm getting at is a) your quilt looks great and b) help me I'm becoming addicted. Thanks! I went with the black and white so I didn't have to worry about colour for my first one, but ended up really glad I did. How did you find the classes? I'm debating signing up for some myself, I just kind of did what I thought was right to make this one, but I think I need some help with the binding etc.
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Mar 2, 2008 22:56
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Not as impressive as the bear! But I've been practicing my sewing skills on poor defenseless animals before diving into anything more exciting. Daisy the elephant - I hope you can't see, but I totally rooted her foot   Blossom the bunny. I loved the fabric on her belly. In fact, sewing toys is really just a ruse so I have an excuse to buy gorgeous fabric 
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Sep 17, 2008 10:59
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I finally have pics of my first completed quilt. Sewn by me, quilted professionally. I love the japanese fabrics.   I haven't got the binding on here, but you get the idea. I've since bought myself a sexy new sewing machine, with which I would consider entering a monogamous life-time partnership. Hopefully it'll also let me quilt my own creations once I've practiced (..and practiced, and practiced). Any other quilters out there? I've just had a hand quilting lesson, so am eager to try this out on a project. I love the simple/naive look of the hand quilting.
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May 3, 2009 10:03
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Sorry yes, I pieced the quilt, and had it professionally quilted. handbags at dawn posted:
I ended up backing and binding it in the plain blue fabric that makes up one of the smallest patches in the quilt. The backing is plain, but it's shot cotton - so you get the nice effect of the greens and blues showing up with the tight quilting. Hand sewing the binding was so satisfying, the difference is amazing - it goes from pretty scruffy looking to neat and finished really quickly! I'm jealous of you small stitches! Mine are giant and ugly at the moment, so I need to get some serious practice time in. I love that sample you posted, is that yours? Lovely fabrics. That's why I started quilting actually, to used up the fabric I love and buy for no real reason, other than it's gorgeous!
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May 4, 2009 02:44
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I like! The combination of solids/patterns and colours looks great. Those small pieces must be a huge challenge! Is that a quilt rack that quilt is hanging on? Or something you made yourself? it looks useful!
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May 4, 2009 12:09
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Ah, that doesn't sound too bad - great effect. I got a Janome 6600 - not a professional one, but good enough for me! I got a good deal on it because I bought it at a craft show. I did have a tiny little Brother which did me well, but I couldn't do any quilting on it. The new one is massive and metal! I was surprised how heavy (and big!) it was. I agree, it's a disease. My mum suggested I should make quilts to use my piles of fabric, and I've just kept going! She's created a monster.
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May 5, 2009 02:42
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It did. and I didn't use it straight away, but now I can't live without it! That's awesome you get to play with machines! I'd love to give a longarm a go - they look scary, but a lot of fun. Can I ask, am I the only one who has to have multiple quilts on the go, or else I get bored????
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May 6, 2009 11:54
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Congrats on the new machines, they sound awesome. I couldn't get used to the electronic scissors for a while - instead of pulling the work from under the needle and using scissors to cut the thread, you just press a button. Truly mindblowing. That's sweet you get lessons too - happy sewing!
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May 9, 2009 02:31
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madlilnerd posted:I like making quilt blocks, but I hate all that cutting out- I measure and use scissors and end up spending 45mins cutting and then 10mins actually sewing. Are there any shops that sell it all cut out ready for you to piece? Or is there any other way I can reduce the cutting time? Seconding the rotary cutter. A sharp rotary cutter, largish cutting mat and a nice sturdy quilting ruler will save you lots of time. Depending on what kinds of quilts you want to make, you can buy charm squares, jelly rolls and layer cakes - which are basically bundles of pre-cut fabric (i.e charms squares are generally 5" squares but can be between 1" and 10", jelly rolls are 2.5" x 44" strips etc.). You can sew them together as they are, or cut them further depending on what you want to do. Having said that, quilting is just a time consuming sport. You need patience, patience and more patience. Cutting does take time, and boy is it worth spending the time to get things to fit/line up. I learned that the hard way!
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May 11, 2009 09:51
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seriouslywtf posted:The tulip dress is still in progress so I haven't been able to wear it yet, but I wore the skirt last week That skirt looks great on you! Love that green. Would love to see the dress on too, once it's done. ...if that's not too creepy.
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May 21, 2009 08:59
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I've made some softies and stuffed animals. I'm no expert but I'm happy to help if I can - so if you have any questions post away. I have bought a few simple books for inspiration, but there are plenty of free patterns online, Crafster is a good place to look.
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Sep 15, 2009 10:41
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Just got back from Japan and did some serious fabric shopping while I was there - it was heaven! Made a bag so far:   Please excuse the lack of ironing! And I have so many things planned, I just don't know where to start.
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Apr 19, 2010 10:34
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So I bought this book, and enjoyed it so much, I decided to take an improv quilt class. And enjoyed that so much, I made this: It was a joy from start to finish - no matching seams, no rulers, no measurements, I enjoyed the hand quilting, which I hadn't done before, and even the binding!  Love those curves.
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Sep 21, 2010 11:08
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ta! I'm by no means an expert, but I found a denim needle helped - sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs here, but I'm the kind of person who goes "what? a special needle, I think not!" and is always surprised when the proper tools actually do make things much easier. Sorry, that's the limit of my knowledge regarding denim. But am planning a denim quilt, so would be interested in any other wisdom?
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Sep 22, 2010 11:14
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quote:Valdara posted: A skirt would be lovely - but as I'm obsessed with them I have to suggest a quilt. A wholecloth quilt would be stunning - just layer that up with some batting and a backing and either hand or machine quilt it! Then again I do have problems cutting up some of the more precious pieces of fabric I own. clarion ravenwood fucked around with this message at 21:44 on Feb 23, 2012 |
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Feb 23, 2012 21:39
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Bertrand Hustle posted:That last one is great for me because my aunt just sent me a huge bag full of sizable denim scraps (mostly chopped off pant legs). I think I might make a blanket. I have bags of jeans also! I'm itching to turn them into a quilt. I have the denim needle ready and all. Have been working on the below instead though:   So many quilts, so little time.
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Jun 13, 2013 12:16
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Thanks guys! Quilts are my favorite.
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Jun 14, 2013 10:21
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Goldaline posted:Ahh! I love the bottom one--I think gray is under utilized in quilts! I guess I should update ya'll on the Dear Jane Quilt From Hell. Thanks! I LOVE your dear jane! I often don't like them because so many of them are so....well, brown! Yours pops, it's great. Bertrand Hustle posted:If you do this, I recommend sewing a straight line down just inside the zipper, so it doesn't come open and dump all your stuff. Thanks for the tip - I think I'm aiming for a quilt, but it'd be nice to do something smaller. I'm obsessed with quilts, but they are an investment in time!
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Jun 15, 2013 10:15
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HodjasBitch posted:Meanwhile, there are 360 triangles cut out and stacked on my table. My mother's birthday is July 9th, and I'm making it very difficult for myself to finish an 80 x 90 pyramid quilt on time with my shenanigans. I made this silly poo poo, though. I love pyramid quilts, well any one patches really. Would love to see it. Love the one with the elephant back, the fabric line is great - the backing looks a bit Dr Seuss-ish. I do sometimes wish I picked a craft which is a bit quicker...but then I just keep making them.
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Jun 16, 2013 08:34
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HodjasBitch posted:Okay, here's my huge progress shot. I love that Simple Marks line! And that quilt is going to love fabulous when it's done - love those colours against the grey! HodjasBitch posted:Are these blocks about 25"? This one reminds me of the big star quilt tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co. I love that your stars are scrappy, though. The blocks are about 23" - good guess! I cut blocks the width of my ruler and made HSTs out of the cross cut squares! I loved this fabric line, so I was happy to use it like this, scrap quilts are my favourite. Goldfinch posted:I've got a question after seeing all these cool quilts. I made one super-beginner quilt top - like, it's literally just squares of fabric sewn together. But I'd still like to finish it/get it finished so I can feel that warm glow of having accomplished something. I do both - I've had some professionally quilted (the gray star one is longarmed), but I've also quilted one myself on my own domestic machine - straight lines only at the moment, I haven't graduated to free motion yet!For me I don't really enjoy the quilting itself that much - I super enjoy playing with colours and shapes and making the top. I also hand quilt (The orange/pink one in my post is hand quilted). It takes ages, but I find it relaxing, and just do bits when I'm in front of the TV. So how you get it quilted really depends on how soon you need it done, and preference really. Machine quilting (depending on how dense you do the quilting) can give the quilt more body (make it firmer?) whereas I find hand quilting is a little softer.
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Jun 19, 2013 23:06
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HodjasBitch posted:I don't, yet. I have a picture of the first star I pieced, but my apartment is too small and full of furniture and crap to actually lay the whole thing out. (I lack the energy too, I had infusion therapy that left me a little bleh today.) One of these days, I'll take it to my parents' place and snap it on their lawn. I love it! I love stars especially, but that is especially nice Where do you sell your quilts? On Etsy?
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Jun 24, 2013 09:31
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100 HOGS AGREE posted:I'm finally done with this stupid thing. Why did I choose this for my first sewing project. He is super impressive for your first sewing project! I started with softies/toys and never stopped sewing 
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Dec 28, 2013 22:44
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Rilae posted:I'm also horrible at fabric cutting. I have a 24" x 36" cutting mat, and a 24" ruler. I've been making pillowcases, and because the fabric needs to be cut large, I have to fold it and cut it, etc. I don't know why I'm so bad it, I iron my fabric and double-check things but it always ends up at least a bit off and I've been finding that cutting the fabric takes me longer than the rest of the project. Has anyone come across a really good guide, or have some advice regarding this? God, this. I'm terrible at cutting, it's my bane. I cheat and have one of these. I use it for my quick and dirty quilts - my slower ones I still hand cut. I have particular trouble with folded fabrics, like you mention. The fold for me is always the part which will have a 'bend' at the end - so if I'm cutting a strip, it'll have a definite sway at the centre. I've tried lightly ironing the fold into the fabric, which seems to help. Also, I frequently have to take a big dose of chill the gently caress out when I quilt, so I don't let it worry me if things are a bit off. (Also why I don't make clothes)
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Jan 3, 2014 11:57
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Rilae posted:I thought I was squaring things up, but I'm studying those videos to make my technique better. It seems many tutorials gloss over this step, but it's quite vital! This. Shouldn't be too expensive. Made my first quilt with 1/2" seams til I got one.
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Jan 6, 2014 11:59
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