Sunday, November 10, 2013

beginner quilter


Quilting a mat

Quilting a sewing machine cover

After longing to make beautiful quilts for five years but finding it all too overwhelming, I am incredibly determined after the birth of my second child this year. We are definitely not having any more children and I knew this was my last chance to learn the art of quilting and make beautiful blankets for the family before I have to go back to work. Armed with a very good beginners book I was still clueless on how to make a quilt! Even after asking (silly) questions kindly answered by the talented ladies in the craft section of our local hardware store. That is, until I found this simple tutorial on how to sew a quilted mat and and how to sew a quilted sewing machine cover tutorial. If you have never quilted before, I highly recommend both of these tutorials as a very good starting point. You don't need a sewing stash or even know how to cut squares, just purchase one charm pack and you have enough fabric to make both projects. Before you know it, you'll be taking those photos where you proudly hold up your beautiful quilted blanket spread across your body with only your head, arms and legs poking out. I can't wait to do that.


8 comments:

  1. Hi Zena, what a lovely quilt and sewing machine cover you are making. I am a beginner at quilting myself so will check out those links.

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    1. I would love to see your quilts. I need to make my own bias binding after struggling with the store bought polyster binding. Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Well done Zena, well done. And welcome to quilting, it is very addicting. I have been quilting for over 20 years...always something new to learn. I too look forward to seeing those arms and legs sticking out from your quilt;-)
    blessings,jill
    visiting from Rhonda's

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    1. Welcome Jill! I will be truly blessed if I could spend the next 20 years quilting; it will be testament to a good life with plenty of handmade gifts to share with loved ones.

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  3. Hi Zena
    I have popped over from Rhonda's blog. I too would love to be able to quilt. I am at the opposite end of child rearing to you, with 2 grown up daughters aged 23 and 20. I'd love to be able to make them a quilt each and also some for grandies when they come along eventually. I have been toying with buying a 'jelly roll' of fabrics and just piecing strips together. One day! I am a good beginner of things but sometimes never seem to finish them. I have cross stitches waiting for me to finish (although my eyesight isn't what it used to be) and I have been experimenting with crochet granny squares (for a small throw rug for one daughter). I work in out car dealership so I don't have spare day time to do much, just weekends.
    What a magical place you live, fancy having snow just recently! I'll be keen to see how that sewing machine cover turns out - I have bookmarked the pattern as it looks great!

    Cheers - Joolz xx

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    1. Sounds like you have many skills Joolz and quilting will be pretty easy for someone like you. Buy that Jelly Roll! I'm pretty sure I saw on Craftsy a course with quilting projects for Jelly Rolls. I would love to make a granny blanket but crochet has alluded me. I can however make a chain stitch rope for my older son who runs through the house in delight with it. Nice to meet you!

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  4. I'm happy to have found a new blog to follow via Down to Earth. I loved reading about the lovely interactions you have with your littlies!

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    1. Thank you for introducing yourself Veronica.

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