Questions I Get Asked
Part four
Hello, I am a beginner quilter, I have made the cathedral quilt and a crazy quilt. I have tons of scrap fabric that I would like to use up. The fabric is what i've collected over the years of sewing for my daughter. I would like to incorporate these fabrics into a quilt for her. What type of quilt would you recommend?? I have little pieces and larger pieces of fabric that I can use. The log cabin quilt really interests me, is it possible for me to use different prints to make this quilt? If you have any ideas or suggestion, please email. I really enjoyed all the information on your web site.
Log cabin is great when made with scraps! It's also a good way to use different sized pieces. Just be sure they are all the same weight, because if you put denim next to a thin cotton or sheer blouse fabric the seam will rip out pretty quick.
I'd sort the scraps into light and dark piles and make the two-tone block where all the strips on two sides are dark, and all the others are light, and you can do all kinds of zig-zag patterns when you lay them out.
I am new to quilting and have almost finished my first wall hanging when I find a torn place outside the last row of stiching. How can I repair this? I ask several quilters in my family and no one has ever had this to happen.
Couple things you can do.
If you haven't bound it and can get inside the layers you can use a small piece of fusible web to patch it from the inside. You can iron it even if the batting is polyester, just be gentle with it.
You can also applique something over the tear. This is a common method of repairing quilts.
RE: Piecing borders...
There is enough to go across the top and bottom in one piece but it is not long enough to go down the sides without piecing it (two or three pieces on each side). Will this look wierd?
It probably won't look weird. And, since you are required to use the fabric, you don't have much choice but to piece it (unless you want to go buy more...if you can find it...)
Should I do it in two pieces or three pieces. Should I attempt to match up the pattern.
Do it in as few pieces as you can. Do try to match the pattern and direction of the print if you can reasonably do so. (IE, if trimming it an inch will make it match, do that, but don't spend all day fiddling with the seam.)
Sometimes if I find I don't have quite enough for a border I can use corner blocks in a matching color to give me the few extra inches I need for the sides. I did that in the maroon lap quilt at:
http://www.reddawn.net/quilt/qpics.htm
The border on that one is pieced, too, but you can't tell in the photo. I had scraps left from the sheets I made curtains out of, and they were just barely enough for the border.
I am so excited, I have been wanting to learn how to sew for a long time and just bought a used Singer sewing machine (like my mom has) at a church rummage sale. It is in good condition but did not come with an instruction manual. Where might I find one? Is a used machine sufficient enough for a begginer? We just moved into a new house and I would eventually like to make some new curtains once I figure out this machine! Thanks in advance for your help!
A used sewing machine should be just as sufficient for teaching sewing as a used car is for teaching driving. :) If it's a good one and is well cared for you may never want a new one.
You can try contacting Singer about the manual. Perhaps a local sewing machine repair shop can help you out, too. To really get the most out of your machine I suggest you first have it serviced. They'll take it apart, clean it out, and get it in good running order. There's no telling how long it's been sitting or how it was treated before. Did you get a metal Singer or one of the new plastic ones? Second, take a class. You could try any seewing that interests you, but chances are you'll be expected to know how to use the machine already. Most teachers aren't familiar with every make and model of sewing machine. Look for a "how to use your machine" class, or ask if you can get a one or two hour private lesson on how to use your particular machine. That will teach you more than the manual can.
Any suggestions on using a hoop (mine's small, like a 10- or 12- inch round)? Why is it better to use one? I also am having problems making small stitches. Someone told me you should get 10-12 stitches per inch. I'm lucky to get 3-5 straight ones and it's stressing me out instead of being enjoyable!
Quilting hoops are usually several feet across. Sounds like you have an embroidery hoop. A hoop or frame helps hold the layers flat and smooth and you get better quilting out of it. Holding the layers lose in your hands tends to give you a fluffier quilt.
10-12 stitches per inch is someone's idea of a sick joke. It's a fantasy ideal and I don't know of anyone who actually reaches it. Don't worry about it and concentrate on getting straight even stitches instead. Small will come with time. It's perfectly okay to get 5-6 stitches per inch if they are neat.
I have several quilts that are yellowed from nicotine, having hung in the home of a heavy smoker. Is there any way to remove this haze?
Without being able to tell how badly they are discolored, what I suggest is that you try spot cleaning a small area to see if it will respond to ordinary mild soap and water. Try to wipe the surface and not actually soak the quilt.
I'm assuming these are newer quilts and not antiques.
If the water cleans them then you have the option of putting them in the tub or the washer for a bath. If these are quilts of any artistic or historical worth, however, washing them could lower any monetary value they might have. If they are antiques, washing them could destroy them completely.
RE: Selecting fabrics...
I need my main fabric, then coordinating fabric, contrasting fabric and then background, I believe it was background anyway. What do you think, or is this a stupid question?
I think you have your answer. :) Pick a print you like, maybe a large scale one. Look at the color dots on the selvedge. Pick a solid that coordinates. Pick a small scale print, maybe tiny dots or a geometric that contrasts. Pick a neutral tone-on-tone for the background.
Generally you go for one of each "type", a solid, a large print, a small print, etc. Personally I dislike large prints so I stick with small and medium scale ones.
Go with what feels good and makes you happy. You're going to be working with it a long time.
I really appreciate the instructions on how to make a puff quilt. One question I have is how many different prints should I use in my quilt. A friend of mine has a quilt that she bought and it has four prints. One is solid, one is a small print, and two are large prints. Is this what's recommended? What looks the best?
What looks best is up to the individual who is making the quilt. Four prints is a safe choice, as your friend has done. You select a busy print that you like and coordinate with solids or smaller prints. You can also use a few more or less fabrics. Two color quilts look very striking when done with a bright print and a solid.
There is also no reason you can't use a single fabric for all the top squares. Or use all scraps and have it every differnt fabric you have. One currently popular option is the "millenium quilt" made from 2000 different prints. You may be able to do that, depending on how big your puffs are and how many you have in the quilt.
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