i would like to know how to quilt blankets,any advise?

Question

this will be my first quilt. first time using a sewing machine.any advise would be great from frabric to sewing machines,thread and needles.thanks

Answer 1

I've been quilting for about 3 years now, although I had some sewing experience before that. I'll try to boil the basics down as much as possible:
1. Sewing machine - they can be expensive, but you really can piece the quilt on just about any machine with a straight stitch. If you are going to spend a few hundred dollars, get one with needle down, ability to cover or lower the feed dogs, quarter inch foot, free motion/darning foot, and as much space under the arm as possible. When you sew, start out slowly, keep your fingers out from under the needle (trust me, it hurts), and maintain a 1/4" seam when you're piecing. Practice on muslin fabric until you're comfortable.
2. GET A BOOK! I recommend Start Quilting with Alex Anderson. It's the one we used in my beginning class. She'll teach you the basics of cutting and piecing.
3. Get a cutting mat/ruler/rotary cutter set. JoAnn Fabrics carries several. Olfa is a good brand.
4. Get a cheap seam ripper - you're gonna need it! Also get a small pair of scissors/nippers for trimming thread. You'll also need long, thin pins (glass head is best), and a decent iron.
5. Choose 100% cotton fabrics, and buy the best quality you can afford. Either pre-wash everything or don't pre-wash anything. Don't mix & match. Color is not as important as value (light vs. dark).
6. Use 100% cotton thread for piecing. It has to do with how the fabric wears at the seams. It's better if they're the same composition. Don't worry about exact colors - get white, black, cream, tan, gray, etc. They'll blend with everything. Match to the lightest fabric you're using.
7. Start with a small project. Don't overwhelm yourself.

HAVE FUN! If you can find a quilting class (check for quilt shops in your area), you'll learn much more quickly, and it's a great community.

Answer 2

This is really cool! I'm working on my first quilt too! My husband got me my first sewing machine a month ago. I advise you to decide what style you want to make first. Do you want blocks, scenery(really hard!), a simple border? Lay out your design on paper first and plot the colors you want the pieces to be.
Also, don't make the mistake I made, which was to work from the outside border to the inside. Do it row by row. WORK SLOW. NO RUSHING.
Make sure you get some straight pins and USE them for every single piece to prevent shifting of the pieces.
You cant mess up to bad. I suggest you start with a block quilt. If you cut all your pieces first, you will be able complete the quilt in a few days!

Answer 3

If you're a sewer...piecing a quilt isn't that difficult. Really.
If you're not...well, start simple. Do you need to take classes? No, probably not, unless you're getting into something way over your head. First time using a machine...ah, sorry, just re-read the sub-text. Think SIMPLE. Squares or strips. One or the other. Now is not the time to take on a double wedding band (look it up, it's complicated). A log cabin quilt, although it looks complicated - it actually quite simple...it's just tedious.

Accuracy is key...forget cutting out pieces with scissors. Buy yourself a rotary cutter, mat, straight edge, and quilters square.

"Quilting" needles refer to the 'quilting' process. Making a quilt is a three part process....first is piecing it....second is basting the three layers together (quilt top, batting, and quilt backing). Do buy a basic 'how to' book, I'd head into a local quilt shop and talk to them there, tell em you're a rookie...and see what they advise.
Perhaps they've got great books in mind for beginners. They'll have mind boggling fabrics, but their prices on other supplies will not be competitively priced, so do shop elsewhere - look for sales.

If you're in the US, I would sign up for Joann fabrics coupons (if you have th store in your area), etc. Buy your equipment with the 40-50% off coupons. Saving money means you get to buy more fabric....lol.

I use 100% cotton flat sheets for my backing...sales, clearance, whatever. Cheaper than piecing a back, or purchasing the wider fabrics made for backings.

Everyone's gotta start somewhere. You're it girl...
Write to me if you need anything else. I've been doing this for awhile.

Oh, ... regular 'universal' needles...and do buy decent thread. You won't need 'quilting' thread (it's thicker than standard thread) that's for hand quilting.

Answer 4

I did the same thing as you and now i make quilts all the time. Your first can i recommend going to eBay and getting a quilting kit there pre cute pieces which save you time and money buying the right cutting tools also some come with a pattern to follow. I wouldn't buy a really expensive machine until you know you will like it walmart as ones for 100 buck singers work great. There are lot of free quilting sites to teach you stitches and stuff you will do great. BEST OF LUCK!!!

Answer 5

your best bet is to go to your local craft or fabric store and check every thing out.also ask one of the girls at the cutting table for some guidence...you can also find books at the store on quilting...i would also keep your project small,like a baby quilt or a baby doll blanket...if it is to big or complicated you will become over whelmed...using cotton fabric thru out your project is recommened,because of the stretch of some fabrics...on sewing machines you can get them at walmart at a good price. a singer is good because of the top load bobbin, i have one that will thread its self...at around 250.00 and it has a lot a nice features. i hope that helps you a little bit good luc and happy sewing

Answer 6

Everyone else is giving GREAT advice for making it (I'm actually saving this question because I plan to do my first quilt in a few weeks, but first, I have to learn how to sew with the machine). However, you mentioned about using a sewing machine. My husband (who is teaching me) found some great material for me that is my "homework" to help get me familiar with the machine.

http://sewing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://msucares.com/pubs/images/p1302%2D16.htm
That link shows you the basics about the machine itself...

http://sewing.about.com/
This will hook you up with even more information! Looks like they may even have some patterns on there!!!!!

Good luck!!! IM me if you have any good advice!!!

Answer 7

There is actually a lot of skill involved in making a quilt. My advice is to take a class or pick up a really good book on the subject. The reason I write that is because the response box here is much to short to possibly fit all the requisite information in order to make a quilt.

Just my two cents...

Answer 8

I would go to a quilting class or join a group before taclking one on my own...they seem really hard to make

Answer 9

choose the colors u want and how u want it to appear....then u can choose what fabrics u like...u have to have the design laid out in a paper then u can go shopping for everything u need.....i would go for the silk type fabrics....always looks good