How to Start Quilting For Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide (Part 1)
Getting Started with Quilting: Your First Three Steps
Quilting is an adventure filled with colorful fabrics, cozy creativity, and endless possibilities! If you're ready to dive in but feeling a bit daunted, fear not! Let’s simplify the journey by breaking it down into the first three essential steps: buying and caring for fabric, cutting fabric, and sewing. With these basics under your belt, you'll be on your way to crafting your very own masterpiece!
Begin sewing your fabric pieces together according to your pattern. Take it slow, and don’t hesitate to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seams for added durability. If you make any mistakes, remember that every quilter has been there—just unpick those stitches and try again!
Buying & Caring for Fabric
What Fabric to Buy for Quilting
As you start your quilting journey, embracing 100% cotton, woven fabric is a must! Specifically, look for Quilting Cotton, readily available at your local quilt shop or fabric store. This delightful fabric is typically woven at around 40-45 inches wide, neatly folded, wrapped around a bolt, and sold by the yard—36 inches long in the US (or by the meter if you're elsewhere).
The smallest increment most shops will sell is a quarter yard, but occasionally, eighth-yard pieces can be found. When you purchase a yard of fabric, you're looking at a generous piece measuring approximately 40 by 36 inches—plenty of room for your creativity!
When following a quilt pattern, it will specify how much fabric you need in each color for your project. For those crafting a whole cloth quilt, you'll need to estimate how much fabric is necessary based on your desired finished dimensions—no pressure, just a little math magic!
Washing Fabric for Quilting
Preparing your fabric before cutting into it is a topic of much debate among quilters. The first school of thought is to pre-wash the fabric to remove excess dye and pre-shrink it. This can be done by hand or in a standard washing and drying machine, using the same detergent you would use for washing clothes. You can also use a color catcher during the washing process to catch any rogue dye. If you choose this route, it's crucial to then iron the fabric so you can accurately measure and cut the pieces needed for your quilt.
Taking it one step further, you can also starch your fabrics to make them a bit stiffer, helping each piece you cut retain its shape. This will make it easier to sew and match seams. The second school of thought is to skip the pre-washing and go straight to cutting and sewing. This can save time, but there's a risk of the fabric shrinking or the dye bleeding during the first wash after your quilt is completed.
The second school of thought is to throw caution to the wind and dive right into the quilt-making process without prepping the fabric in any way. Both approaches are valid and widely used, though you may find a quilter friend or two who have very strong opinions one way or the other.
If you’d like some more in-depth information about the pre-washing fabrics debate check out Cottoneer’s blog post. It’s a fantastic post about this subject including detailed pro and con lists for both pre-washing and not washing.
Cutting Fabric for Quilting
Rotary Cutters
While you can indeed start your quilting journey without a rotary cutter, we definitely recommend investing in one! A rotary cutter is like a magic wand that transforms your cutting experience. Imagine slicing through tens, or even hundreds, of fabric squares and rectangles in a fraction of the time it would take with scissors. Plus, when you combine it with a quilting ruler, you’ll find your cuts are not just quicker, but also beautifully precise!
For beginners, a 45 mm rotary cutter is your best friend. It's perfectly sized to handle a wide range of fabric thicknesses and projects. As your confidence grows, you might want to expand your cutting toolkit. Consider adding larger blades for those quicker cuts when you're on a roll, and smaller blades for those detailed, intricate designs that you want to nail perfectly.
Quilting Rulers
Ever hear the saying "measure twice, cut once"? It’s a wise, though seemingly tedious-sounding statement. Fortunately, quilting rulers make practicing this a lot quicker and easier. The idea of a quilting ruler is that you can measure and cut at the same time (but be sure to always double-check your measurements before slicing).
We recommend starting out with a 24 ½ inch by 6 ½ inch quilting ruler as it will cover all your basic needs. This handy tool helps ensure that your cuts are precise, saving you time and fabric on your quilting journey. With clear markings and a sturdy design, it’s a quilter's best friend!
Cutting Mat
A cutting mat is an essential tool for any quilter, especially if you want to keep your surfaces scratch-free and protected. Opting for a mat that measures at least 18 inches by 24 inches is a great choice for beginners, as it provides ample space for handling larger yardage. However, if you’re working with smaller fabric pieces or limited space, there are smaller options available that can still get the job done effectively. Just remember, having a dedicated cutting surface makes the process much more enjoyable and keeps your DIY area organized and neat!
How to Cut Fabric for Quilting
Regardless of whether you join team prewash or team starch, definitely make sure your fabric is wrinkle-free before cutting. This will ensure the pieces you cut are as accurate as possible. Let’s say you bought half a yard of quilting cotton. Start with your fabric on your cutting mat so the fold is at the top of the mat, and the selvages or “open” part is facing toward you. From your perspective, the flat, folded piece of fabric should measure about 18 inches wide and 20-22 inches high.
Square Up Your Fabric Edge
The first thing you’ll want to do is square up one of the sides, which helps create that nice, straight edge we all crave. A handy tip is to use the line of the selvage as your 90-degree guide instead of the fold. This is crucial because sometimes the fabric isn’t folded perfectly in half before being put on the bolt, meaning the fold line isn’t always your trusty indicator of the direction of the fabric grain. Trusting that selvage can help you obtain more accurate cuts and set the stage for your fabulous quilt creations!
Do this with your 24½-inch by 6 ½-inch quilting ruler by lining up the horizontal 1-inch line with one of the selvage lines and getting the edge of your ruler as close to the edge of your fabric as possible. Then, using your rotary cutter, slice off the edge. Once you have a neat, straight edge to work with, you can start cutting out your pieces.
Then Cut Strips of Fabrics
Most quilt patterns will have the pieces listed by similar lengths or widths, allowing you to cut from the same strip of fabric. Alternatively, the pattern may direct you to cut a specific width strip and then sub-cut pieces from that strip. Even better, for larger quilts, many patterns include a cutting diagram to show you the most efficient way to cut the pieces. This way, you can maximize your fabric and minimize waste—now that’s a win-win! Happy cutting!
Let’s say you need six 4-inch by 4-inch squares. Start by cutting a strip of fabric that is 4 inches wide. Line up the edge of the fabric with the vertical 4-inch line on your ruler to make a precise cut.
Then Cut Strips Into Pieces
Next, remove the selvage by cutting along the edge of the fabric. Now, to create your squares, position the fabric again, lining the edge up with the vertical 4-inch line on your ruler. You'll be cutting 4-inch square pieces, and since the fabric is folded in half, each cut will yield two squares!
If you find yourself needing an odd number of pieces, simply unfold the strip and cut off one piece at a time.
Sewing Quilting Fabric Together
Always Sew Right Sides Together
One of the most important rules of sewing is to always sew the right sides together or RST. This means, when you’re sewing two pieces of fabric together you want the face or “right” side of the fabrics to be facing each other. If you’re working with solid fabrics this is not much of an issue as most solids are reversible. But if you’re working with printed fabric, the side you want to be on display is the “right” side. The reason for this is so all the seams will be hidden on the back or inside of your project.
Always Sew with a Quarter Inch Seam Allowance
Equally as important as RST is the seam allowance. Seam allowance is the space between the edge of your fabric and the stitch you use to sew two pieces of fabric together. This measurement varies depending on what you are sewing (garments, bags, homewares, etc.) but in the quilting world 99% of the time you’ll be sewing with a ¼ inch seam allowance.
Sewing with a Machine
Most sewing machines today come equipped with a handy ¼ inch mark or guide on the needle plate, making it easier than ever to keep your seams consistent. If your machine happens to be missing this little gem, don’t fret! You can create your own guide effortlessly. Simply measure ¼ inch from your needle to the right side and stick a piece of tape in place—washi, painter’s, or masking tape will do the trick beautifully. This clever guide will help you line up the edge of your fabric, ensuring your seams are perfect every time. Happy sewing!
Sewing by Hand
If you’ve decided to skip the machine and go for hand sewing, we recommend marking a ¼ seam allowance directly on your fabric with a fabric pencil or hera marker. This simple step helps ensure your stitches are consistent and precise, making your quilting journey smoother. Just remember to choose a marking tool that will easily wash out or fade away after you finish your project.
Always Press the Seams
After you’ve sewn a few pieces together and before you start matching up seam intersections, you’ll want to press your seams with an iron to make sure they lay flat. The reason it’s called “pressing” and not “ironing” is to avoid the back-and-forth motions that come with ironing, so the seams don’t warp or twist in any way. The goal is to add heat and weight to get the seams as flat as possible, and that’s it.
This is another area of quilting where there are two opposing preferences. You’ll usually find someone who is either team “open” or team “to the side.” Occasionally, you’ll come across a quilter with no pressing preference. Arguments can get heated (pun intended) over this topic, so get ready to debate if you find yourself chatting with a quilter on the other team.
Don't let the pressing arguments press your buttons—after all, what matters most is the joy of creating! Choose your team, but also respect your fellow quilters' choices. At the end of the day, we’re all on the same side of creating beautiful projects!
Pressing Seams Open
To press seams open, flip your fabric over so the seam allowance is facing up. Then spread the two pieces apart with your fingers and press with an iron until flat. This technique helps to reduce bulk in your quilt blocks and creates a crisp, satisfying finish.
Pressing Seams to the Side
To press to the side, flip your fabric over so the seam allowance is facing up. Then use the iron to press your seams toward one side until flat. When using this method the seams are usually pressed toward the darker color fabric. Sometimes quilt patterns will come with specific pressing instructions so that seams will “nest” or lock into place when matching up intersections.
Matching Seam Intersections
Once you have a few blocks put together, you’ll eventually find yourself at a delightful crossroads where two seams are about to meet, creating that all-important intersection. This is where the magic of pinning really shines! While your quilt doesn’t need to achieve perfection (freewheeling is a perfectly valid choice!), if you’re aiming for those intersections to have that neat and tidy look, then let’s talk about pinning liberally.
Picture this: each pin is like a little cheerleader, holding your pieces together and ensuring they stay in line as you sew. And don’t forget about the beauty of pressing your seams! A well-pressed seam lays flatter than a pancake, making it much easier to glide over those intersections.
Matching Intersections with Seams Pressed Open
When you take the extra moment to carefully open those seams, you’ll find that matching them up while pinning becomes a breeze. This technique allows you to align your pieces more accurately, reducing the frustration often associated with pinning. Plus, an open seam creates the least bulky finish possible, which is particularly beneficial when working on intricate designs or multiple layers.
Matching Intersections with Seams Pressed to the Side
Nesting seams is a quilter's secret weapon for achieving those picture-perfect intersections! When you take the time to press your seams to opposing sides, you're setting yourself up for success. Picture the fabric layers coming together just like pieces of a puzzle — snug and satisfying!
To really make the most of nesting, be mindful of how you press each seam. Some quilt patterns come with specific instructions to encourage seam intersections to lock together throughout the whole quilt top. This attention to detail will lead you to a wonderfully satisfying position with crisp points and clean lines.
However, if you accidentally press all your seams in the same direction, don't fret! While it can be a bit of a challenge to stitch through those thick layers, you’ve got the skills to tackle it. Just take your time, and perhaps use a walking foot or a bit of extra gentle pressure on your machine to help navigate through those six layers.
Remember, every quilt tells a story, and your personal touches, like planned and purposeful seam pressing, add to that narrative. So grab your iron and get ready to press those seams — your future self will thank you when you're admiring those perfectly matched intersections!
Start Your Quilting Journey
Now that you're all set with the basics, it’s time to unleash your creativity! Dive into the world of fabrics at North Star Quilt Shop and choose those vibrant prints that spark joy. Whether you opt for a bright beginner-level pattern or decide to play around by cutting squares to sew back together, the journey is part of the fun!
Don’t forget to gather your essential tools— a rotary cutter, a ruler, a cutting mat, and plenty of pins to keep your fabric in place! Remember, the excitement lies in experimenting, so allow yourself to be playful and explore different combinations.
If you have any questions or need help along the way, drop a comment, send us a message on Instagram, or reach out via email. Happy quilting! 🌟
