Patchwork & quilting is one of the most beautiful form of crafts that has ever been produced over the centuries, by women who love handwork, needlework, or what we may refer to today as arts and crafts.

Making patchwork and quilting is easier than most imagine. It is a wonderful handcraft that gives immense pleasure to a quilter and is known to release tension and erupt beautiful feelings and thoughts.

Patchwork quilting - as it is sometimes called - is often combined with embroidery works, appliqué and other forms of needlework creative crafting.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STITCHING IN THE PATCHWORK & QUILTING CRAFT

Patchwork & Quilting can be elaborately decorative and intricately detailed with stitching fashioned into complex designs and patterns. As a quilter, you may choose to emphasize and add to the richness of the patchwork and quilting by using sewing threads that are multi-coloured, metallic, or highly contrasting to the fabric colours.

Alternatively a quilter may want to make the quilting using clear and invisible nylon threads, or plain and coloured polyester threads, working the stitching into the seam lines of the patchwork pieces.

However a quilters can design unique creations by drawing on paper first and then transferring the quilting design onto the quilt top before proceeding with stitching. Others just stitch freehand.

Patchwork & quilting originated more for its use rather than for decoration. Origins of this of great craft are thought to be in the era of the Crusaders. At the time, the soldiers needed warmth as well as protection from the skin chafing caused by heavy armour. Also wearing clothing which was quilted was possibly for warmth in the chilly deserts.

By the American Colonial times, most women were busy spinning, weaving and making clothing, meanwhile women of the wealthier classes prided themselves on their fine needlework, embroidery works, patchwork & quilting of whole cloth quilts with fine needle-crafting.

Traditionally patchwork & quilting is a simple 6 step process, and the use of hand or machine stitching will be entirely up to you. And if the quilt will be hung like a tapestry on the wall, there is an added attachment which serves as the hanging sleeve.

HOW TO DO PATCHWORK

• Choose or sketch your desired pattern, decide on the texture of fabric you wish to use and the batting that will be required.
• Make your measurements and cut the fabrics to the correct shapes and size to make blocks from the pattern you created.
• Piece together - sewing the cut pieces of fabric together - using a sewing machine or hand, to make your blocks. Now sew or stitched by hand the formed blocks to make the finished top.

HOW TO QUILT

• You should have 3 layers of fabrics now, the patchwork quilt top, the batting and the backing. Make a quilt sandwich by arranging accordingly -top/batting/backing.
• Proceed with quilting by hand or a very simple sewing machine (a hand sewing machine is also fine to use) through all layers of the quilt sandwich
• Square up and trim excess batting from the edges then machine sew the binding to the front edges of the quilt. Then you must hand-stitch the binding to the quilt backing.

TIPS

• Practice sewing a 1/4" seam.
• Press your fabric - Best Press or Magic Sizing restores the fabric finishing - before cutting
• Do read all instructions carefully and follow to the letter!
• Make out a sample block before cutting all the fabric, in case of unexpected errors whilst cutting.
• Don't move the fabric when cutting, so hands must be steady to ensure accuracy. Only the ruler can move.
• Don't try to start by making a bed-size patchwork & quilting work. If you are a beginner, you will quickly become discouraged.

If and when you decide to enrol for quilting courses, don't choose a quilt class that is above your skill level. Start at the beginners level even if you may have a little knowledge of patchwork & quilting. You will have the opportunity to learn little tips and tricks, new ideas, trends and styles that you ordinarily wouldn't know about if you self teach without some form of professional instructions.

Rotary Cutter/Rotary Mat

Clear plastic rulers

A square ruler - 12" is a great size

1/4" Presser Foot

A few colours and variety of threads

Machine Needles (80/12)

Hand sewing needles if you plan to stitch by hand

Seam Ripper

Scissors

Iron

Straight Pins

Most of these and much more exciting patchwork and quilting paraphernalia can be found in the notions section at Designer Quilting Fabrics

Patchwork & Quilting is great fun! You can express your personality and beautify your home through your selection of colours, fabrics and wonderful designs.

So Go Out There and Create!

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Hub Pages Author - Viryabo

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