I made a new pincushion and wanted to get what I thought would be a few needles out of the old pincushion. Boy, was I surprised to find 38 needles hiding in the yarn stuffing!
When beginning stitching on a quilt, you'll want to pull out about 16-18 inches of thread. Any more thread, and you'll be spending more time untangling than you want. Thread the needle and begin by pushing the needle up through the backing fabric, and then slanting the needle just under the surface of the top fabric so the needle comes through at exactly the spot you want to begin quilting. When you pull the thread up through the top fabric, the knot will stop on the backing fabric. Give a tug while rubbing your finger on the knot, and the knot will snap up through the backing fabric into the batting, well hidden.
The idea is to make your stitches close together and even.
Having said that, keep in mind that the nature of quilting allows for some variation of stitch size. And only practice brings uniformity of quilting stitches. So just keep going!
The quilting stitch should be one that you push the needle down through all layers, turn to the side only about 1/16 of an inch and bring the needle up through the top fabric.
Instead of taking a stitch straight down through layers and then (from the backing fabric) straight up through layers, take stitches only from the top....meaning the needle stays on top of the quilt stitching in an almost running-stitch fashion.
Instead of taking a stitch straight down through layers and then (from the backing fabric) straight up through layers, take stitches only from the top....meaning the needle stays on top of the quilt stitching in an almost running-stitch fashion.
The idea is to make your stitches close together and even.
Having said that, keep in mind that the nature of quilting allows for some variation of stitch size. And only practice brings uniformity of quilting stitches. So just keep going!
Click the link below to watch The Quilting Stitch, from start to finish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kewhr2FcN30&t=2s
Questions? Ask them in the YouTube comment section.
Christmas tree wall hanging - 2012
I found this design in an old quilting magazine. A hand-quilted, batting-in-the-middle, wall hanging with sequins, buttons, and beads sewn on as ornaments. I machine appliqued garland in yellow thread, and a bright yellow star on top. I hand stitched the star rays with yellow thread.
The tree was originally supposed to be pieced together with Christmas fabric. But I wanted my tree to be all one pattern piece, so I had to design my own tree pattern, and the green fabric I used actually matches the valance next to it (not shown).
The white background fabric is a large (about 10" x 16") piece of eyelet. I ironed some fusible webbing to machine appliqué the tree, trunk, and skirt to the eyelet background, and then added the red strips to the top and bottom. The star squares in each corner were hand sewn (because I don't like piecing little squares with the machine), and then the side strips and binding were added. The top tabs were almost the hardest to attach because just when I thought I had them all level and even, one would be too short when I put the dowel through them. Then as a final touch, I added little satin ribbon bows across the top binding. As it is, the tabs are just a hair off, but it's done and over with!
Not too bad for a first try at this pattern!
Not too bad for a first try at this pattern!
The dowel its hanging on is painted light brown and I super glued the wide red ribbon to each end, and tied a large bow at the top.
It was fun to make, so this'll be one wall hanging that we'll keep for years!
A cute frilly blanket for a baby girl that's different from the traditional pinks.
This baby quilt measures roughly 49" x 49" with a 3" gathered ruffle around the edges and a brown dotted strip at the edge. Large flowers of blue dots on a brown background at each corner and in the center, with smaller flowers circling the center. The top and backing fabric is of pale blue gingham, with a blanket-type batting in between.
(already given away)
(already given away)
New videos are now available on YouTube on how to make your own quilt frames, and how to attach a quilt to the frame. On my blog here, click on the tabs at the top under the Sweet Petal Stitchery title next to "Home" to read the instructions and then click on the "Watch the Video" link. You will be directed to YouTube to watch the video. OR, click the links below to be directed to YouTube and watch!
Sometimes its easier to watch someone do something and follow their direction rather than just read instructions. Hopefully these videos will help fill in some gaps that may occur when you're trying to accomplish the task of making your own quilt. It's really not as complicated as it may seem, both the making of frames, and the setting up of a quilt, and this is what I tried to impart through the videos.
If you've viewed the videos, I'd be interested in hearing how effective they were in helping viewers understand the "how-to's" of it all.
Thanks!
Sometimes its easier to watch someone do something and follow their direction rather than just read instructions. Hopefully these videos will help fill in some gaps that may occur when you're trying to accomplish the task of making your own quilt. It's really not as complicated as it may seem, both the making of frames, and the setting up of a quilt, and this is what I tried to impart through the videos.
If you've viewed the videos, I'd be interested in hearing how effective they were in helping viewers understand the "how-to's" of it all.
Thanks!
Links:
How to Make Your Own Quilt Frame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEHUiVevEsc&t=3s
Attaching the Quilt to the Frame, Part 1 of 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFiwdcUvt8s&t=1s
Sun, Moon, and Stars Throw Blanket
This is a freestyle quilted throw, meaning it's an original design drawn on a flat sheet.
This is a freestyle quilted throw, meaning it's an original design drawn on a flat sheet.
This quilt is a bit larger than the baby quilts shown in previous posts. Hand quilted, it measures 60" x 70" and is made from a tan colored twin sheet. The top and bottom are the same color, with a thin blanket batting. The large sun in the center is surrounded by small stars and a moon phase in each corner.
The green binding has a decorative machine stitch all around.
(already given away)
(already given away)
This cute baby blanket is great for dressing up a crib or for a scooting, rolling baby girl.
(click on picture for larger view)
Pink and ivory gingham top and bottom fabric for this quilt is edged with a gathered ruffle. The machine appliquéd large, medium, and small hearts are brown with pink polka dots. The five large hearts near the center are edged with braided trim and all of the hearts are fashioned with pink bows. Each appliqued heart is hand quilted around the edge. There are also several non-appliqued, hand-quilted hearts around the outer edges of the quilt. Attached to the ruffle which is edging the quilt is a straight trim of the brown fabric with pink polka dots. In the center of the quilt is the trademark Sweet Petal Stitchery flower with a large button in the center.
This baby quilt measures 48” square including the ruffle, has a thick blanket style batting for durability and warmth, is completely machine washable, and is in stock ready for use!
(already given away!)
(already given away!)
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