Quilting for Beginners

From LoveToKnow Crafts

Quilting for beginners is not as hard as it seems. If you know how to use a standard sewing machine and understand the basics of sewing, you can make a quilt.

A baby blanket makes an easy quilting project.

Quilts for Beginners

As a beginner, don't have high expectations. Don't think that by reading a few books or watching some quilting how-to videos, that you will be able to sit down and create a beautiful, king-size keepsake quilt. Save the harder stuff for when you have some experience under your belt. Practice on smaller, simpler quilts. In no time, you will be able to conquer the more difficult projects.

Child's Rag Quilt

A rag quilt is very simple to create as it is put together a block at a time and can be quilted on your regular sewing machine. After you decide on the size of the quilt you want to make, figure out what colors and styles of fabric you want to use. Some low-cost ideas for material are:

Baby clothes
Baby blankets
Other clothes your children have outgrown
Clothes you have outgrown
Old blue jeans
Used clothing picked up from a thrift store or garage sale
Fat quarters or fat eighths found on clearance at a fabric store

You will also need to purchase some quilt batting which will be sewn in between the layers of fabric, as well as matching thread. For a child's quilt, you will need to:

Cut out 144 squares from the fabric -- standard size is six inches, but you can go bigger or smaller if you like. If you are nervous about measuring and cutting, use fat quarters or fat eighths and cut those down.
Cut out 72 squares of batting about an inch smaller than your fabric blocks.
For each block, put the wrong sides of fabric together with a piece of batting in between.
With your sewing machine, sew a cross, zigzag or other design across each of the blocks. This will keep the three layers of each block together and also create your "quilting" pattern.
Sew two blocks together along one side, keeping about a three-quarter to one-inch seam allowance.
Keep adding a block until you have 12 in a row. You should have enough blocks to make six, 12-square rows.
Sew the rows together, again leaving the same size seam allowance.
Once it is sewn together, turn it over and place little cuts into your seam allowance, creating a "ragged" look. Clip around the edge of the quilt too.
Wash and dry the quilt and you are done!

More Beginners' Quilts

Since smaller quilts are a bit easier to manage for novice quilters, it isn't that hard to find some patterns online to help you. Here are a few more to take a look at:

The Purl Bee has a design for a quarter quilt using fat quarters. Step-by-step instructions with pictures are included.
Easy Quilt Kits has many do-it-yourself sets that make quilting for beginners seem simple. All sizes are available from wall hangings to queen size.
Jack and Susie's Web site has numerous patterns for first-time quilters, including pieced and log cabin blocks.
Bev's Country Cottage has directions and illustrations for visitors interested in creating a simple quilt.

Quilting Guidelines for Beginners

If you've never quilted before, remember these few simple tips:

Keep it simple and small. Pillowcases, place mats and baby blankets are easier to maneuver when you are first learning to quilt.
Forego using templates. They will only complicate what you are trying to learn. Stick to simple patterns that use all of the same or similar size blocks or strips of fabric.
Don't use the heavy batting. It will much harder to cut and quilt.
Use 100 percent cotton fabric. It doesn't pucker, is easy to work with and comes in a variety of styles, colors and designs.
Be consistent with seams. Don't change your seam allowance half-way through a project. Find one you are comfortable with and use it consistently.