Quilting by Hand?

Question

I would really like to learn how to quilt, but I was wondering if it is possible to do most of the work by hand and not on a sewing machine. I prefer geometric patterns to applique patterns and was thinking I could make squares and then sew them together. At what point in the quilt-making does a sewing machine become essential, if at all? Thanks!

Answer 1

Absolutely! Quilts were made long before we had sewing machines.

If you really like geometric patterns, you should probably invest in a rotary cutter, self-healing cutting mat and a plastic ruler, so that your squares are, well, square. These can be easily found at Joann's, Walmart, Hancock Fabric, Hobby Lobby, etc. Sign up for their mailer and use a coupon! all of those stores offer 40% off coupons.

The key to an even geometric quilt is uniform seam allowances. On a machine a 1/4" seam allowance is normally achieved using special feet that measure for you. If you have a good eye, you can freehand it. If not, you can use a dressmaker's pencil to draw your 1/4" mark, and simply backstitch along that line! You can finger-press or iron your pieces, and for longer seams you'll probably want to use pins.

When you're ready to batt and finish your quilt, you still don't need a machine. Just cut the batting and backing to fit, and sew it most of the way around the edge then turn it inside-out like a pillowcase, then finish the edge where you turned it. Then, to keep the batting in place, I recommend using embroidery floss tied at 4-6" intervals. That will keep it from shifting as it gets used.

Most importantly, have fun with it!

Answer 2

It's strictly a matter of personal preference. A friend who has been quilting for a few decades does it all by hand. She likes the portability of being able to have some fabric pieces, needle and thread with her at her son's soccer practice or sitting with the family in front of the tv in the evening. Her quilts are hand-quilted as well as hand-pieced.

I prefer to use the sewing machine, but we both make warm, pretty quilts.

For learning to quilt, I suggest a couple of web sites: www.quilterscache.com and www.qnm.com.

Remember, a quilt is not a test with only one right answer. Do it in the way that is most pleasing to you.

Answer 3

Sewing an entire quilt by hand is a big job! Most quilters nowadays machine piece and then some machine quilt and some handquilt. It can all be done by hand but you have to really enjoy handsewing to get enough stitches per inch and keep it consistant so that the piecing holds together well and maintains a proper fit.

Answer 4

I made a med size quilt in a crazy quilt non pattern. All by hand. It was so much fun and i highly recommend it. When time to connect the squares to the separating strips my daughter sewed those for me. On her machine. She said that part must be even and true. Have a good time.

Answer 5

A sewing machine is not "essential" - it's convenient. It is possible to make an entire quilt by hand...that's how they did it before sewing machines were invented!

If you want to do it ALL by hand...be patient! A sewing machine really speeds the process, but it can be done by hand.

I have a quilt that my great grandma hand-pieced. My grandma put it together many years later & hand quilted it...it's very special.

Answer 6

I have made a quilt by hand and it isnt hard except when you put the whole quilt together. I mean the back to the front. But the squares can be done totally by hand.
However in the 1800's women did the whole thing by hand so it is not impossible for sure.
look it up on the puter.
It should tell you.
Hilde

Answer 7

I admire your desire to do the whole thing by hand. It CAN be done. I personally use a machine to piece the front, but I do my quilting by hand because I prefer cotton batting and it has to be somewhat intricately quilted to keep it from shifting and bunching. It's hard to do that very intricate quilting on a full size quilt with a machine.

Answer 8

Being that i'm a quilter who hand quilts all of them i ought to tell you that there is a distinction. while we make a duvet -you first piece the remarkable jointly this is oftentimes carried out by way of device. The "authentic" quilting section is as Susan reported once you're taking the three important products of a duvet and actually duvet it. the remarkable,batting and the backing. In right this moment's international many human beings try this on a device and then there are some people who're "authentic " quilters. We do it by way of hand. putting it in a physique and then hand sewing it. The be conscious quilter potential in basic terms that "to stitch in lines and types to make a duvet". yet nonetheless any duvet which you notice that has a label on it that tells you call of individual,call of duvet,date,etc is what we evaluate a handcrafted duvet. The label tells you each little thing . My labels say hand pieced or device piece then say hand quilted by way of---,call of the duvet, date that i ended it,and if it grow to be a layout by way of somebody else I record it too(no longer initially mine layout). maximum people who're wanting to purchase handcrafted products are looking for this. good success

Answer 9

I hope these will help you...

http://www.sew-whats-new.com/quiltlessons/index.shtml
http://www.sewaquilt.com/
http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/

Answer 10

i dont think its possible. if it was then that would be crochet or knitting.