Quilting projects?

Leonie2 · Quilting projects?

Is anyone starting a quilting project now that the summer looks like it has gone? I'd love to hear about any projects on the go and see photos if possible Very Happy

I made a start on S's quilt today. I promised him a quilt last year but never got around to making one. I haven't told him, I think I'm going to keep it quiet and aim to finish it as a christmas present. I've been collecting his old outgrown clothing and today I started cutting it up into squares. I'm planning on making a simple quilt using only squares of fabric. Tomorrow I'm going to have another rumage through his wardrobe and see what summer clothes he has outgrown which can be cut up for more fabric. I thought it would be nice to have a quilt made from his own history of childhood clothing, so apart from the backing fabric I want all the fabric on the front to be patchworked from only his clothing, he should be able to look at each piece and see it's from his old jeans, shorts etc. hopefully that will hold a lot of memories for him.

Bovey Belle

I've just finished a hand-pieced hexagon quilt (very bright and colourful) for my middle daughter to take off to Uni with her. Instead of tufting it, I used some pretty (matching) buttons which I got recently at auction in a box of needlework "odds" that cost me £2! I have taken photos, but can't load them onto Photobucket yet, as AOL still hasn't restored Broadband to me so I'm on dial-up.

I am just playing with a Triangles quilt, pieced on the machine, and that's quite fun to do and looking good. I am also sewing 4 blocks for a friendship quilt on another forum. The block is pretty, but only 6" square, so a bit fiddly, as the smallest components are only an inch square, and although it's sewn together in strips, cut and then pieced together, I'd be happier if the block was twice the size!

I've also just finished a hand-sewn hexagon cushion cover for my other daughter for her room at the house she's renting at Uni this year. I had a lot of hexagons left over from G's quilt!

I've also recently bought a pre-printed cushion front with a spaniel on it which I have hand-quilted and am about to assemble into the cushion cover. This is for a penpal of mine for Christmas. She loves all animals, but especially dogs and cats.

Leonie2

you like to do more than one project at a time BB Very Happy

The spaniel cushion sounds really interesting, and difficult. I'd love to see a photo of that too when you're finished, once you get your broadband sorted out. Very Happy

Libby

I must admit that sometimes I can be a bit dense! I know quilting is usually lots of hexanganal pieces sewn to gether but did I hear someone say 'sewing machine' now this sound more like it, more info please Laughing

Bovey Belle

Libby - Quilting can be any number (100s!) of patterns, usually constructed as "blocks" which are pieced usually by machine these days. You can have very simple ones which are just squares of different colours or patterns. You can have extremely complicated designs. You can even have art quilts, which are the most FABULOUS things - literally paintings in textiles. The skill is unimaginable and they are truly stunning. I'll find you some links, but if you pick up any of the quilting mags in shops (especially the American ones) they'll blow your mind!

Leonie - I'll take photos of my finished projects, and post them, don't worry. Your son will love his quilt as it is so personal to him, with so many memories.

The spaniel is a pre-printed panel - I just quilted into the obvious deliniations. I think it took me two evenings, and I did go to town with the quilting. It stands me in 50p so far - what I paid for it in a bargain bin in a favourite shop of mine in Brecon. I had the cotton backing and wadding already here in the house.

Bovey Belle

Try this for starters!

http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/

Leonie2

Libby, n gave me a lot of help with my first quilt and she recommended a book to help me get started. Actually she loaned me the book and I found it so useful for a beginner that I bought my own copy. This is the book Singer Quilting Bible. If you can get a copy from the library or buy your own copy it really will help you a great deal, it did me. I would lend you my copy but I'll be referring to it over the next few months now that I'm starting another project.

Libby

Righty ho! I shall get my little hands on one of those then, another craft to give a whirl!! Think I might need a new house with more space Laughing

Aqui

It's something I'd love to try, although I need to master my sewing machine first. I was thinking of making J a quilt out of his baby clothes when he's older. The plan was to do a random one as I'm not very good at being exact!

Kathy

I've done a little quilting, just plain squares which I made into bags, in fact I think Leonie received one in a present swap we did. I've never managed to start anything bigger but have LOTS of fabric sitting around waiting. Laughing

Svea

yes, i am resurrecting an old thread!

i am also thinking about a quilt - not necessarily out of old clothes but for the girl nonetheless (as a keepsake) - also not necessarily made by me (i have a few quilter friends who might do me a commission).
i kinda know what fabric colours i want - now for some research into patterns? so at least i know what i am talking about when discussion the project with others. and if push comes to shove, it might have to wait a few years and then do it myself....

any recommendations on typical patterns? think more traditional (american) rather than applique..

Bovey Belle

Here's a link to an excellent site. Looking through these blocks should give you an idea of what you might like to do. On the other hand, you may then have every spare moment spoken for until Infinity and Beyond!

http://www.quilt.com/Blocks/AlphaBlockList.html

Jojo

My goodness that looks complicated Confused

Bovey Belle

Some of them are quite fiddly, but this one is very straightforward:

http://www.quilt.com/BlockOfTheMonth/1998/Thrifty.html

and so is the Log Cabin:

http://www.quilt.com/Blocks/LogCabin/LogCabin.html

This is just half squares again, set on their sides:

http://www.quilt.com/BlockOfTheMonth/19981999/SplitNinepatch.html

And this isn't too difficult either:

http://www.quilt.com/Blocks/ChurnDash/ChurnDashDirections.html

You can always start with large 6" squares of material and just sew those together. That's the very easiest sort of quilt. Or I did one once for a friend which was just strips of material about 4" wide, the width of the quilt, in different prints but the same colourway.

Here's a top I made for my son for Christmas (now backed, tufted and on his bed):

And here's the Bear Paw pattern, which is just large squares and half squares, quite straightforward:

Kathy

I made bags just using squares in my brief foray into quilting. The bear's paw look simple enough now I've seen your photo Bovey. Smile

Libby

They do look nice! Very Happy

Jojo

They look lovely Smile

Svea

leonie, i remember you made a quilt once for your girl. do you mind puting the photo up again? i remember it was a lovely result but i have searched on here and not found the photo....