| Over the years, the easiest quilt I have ever made | | | | scissors, each square will vary in its size and the seam |
| was one made entirely out of 4 ½ inch squares. If | | | | allowances won't fit together evenly. More than that, |
| you're looking to discover the joy of quilting, it's the | | | | you'll save a ton of time and get to the fun stuff faster. |
| perfect place to start. Figure out how big you want | | | | 4. Pin at every joined seam. By taking a little extra time |
| your quilt, how many squares you'll need, and go from | | | | to line up your seams and pin them together you'll be |
| there, following these tips along the way: | | | | thrilled to find that your completed quilt top isn't |
| | | | distorted due to stretching and easing. |
| 1. Choose a fabric line. When you go into a fabric store, | | | | 5. Take a class. Or more than one class. Personally, I |
| ask the clerk to show you groups of fabric that have | | | | would have learned so much faster had I put myself in |
| coordinating prints. You'll discover it can make your | | | | front of a competent instructor instead of reading |
| fabric shopping a breeze. If you're making a quilt you | | | | every book and magazine article I could find. You'll also |
| want to last, choose high quality fabric. Quilt shops are | | | | make friends. There is nothing better than having a |
| the best place to purchase good fabric. Although the | | | | quilting buddy to go shopping with. No one else will ever |
| cost is greater, consider the amount of time and effort | | | | understand your obsessive need to find that perfectly |
| that you'll be putting into this your project. The extra | | | | pink and green frog print that you saw in some catalog |
| $20 in materials will greatly improve your end results, | | | | somewhere, that you just have to have. |
| and you'll find that time won't be too hard your it. | | | | You'll discover quilting can be an adventure. Anyone |
| 2. Use an accurate ¼ inch seam allowance*. | | | | with the proper directions can create an heirloom quilt |
| Some machines come with what is called a ¼ | | | | that will stand the test of time. |
| inch foot**. If yours didn't, buy one. For an investment | | | | *A seam allowance is the distance of the sewn line to |
| of just over $10, you'll have pretty accurate seam | | | | the edge of the two pieces of fabric you're sewing |
| allowances. If you know your seam allowances are | | | | together. |
| off, fix them before you go on. You're going to be | | | | **The metal or plastic piece that clips to your machine |
| happier with the ease of sewing the pieces together. | | | | that guides your fabric as you sew and holds it down |
| 3. Use a rotary cutter and an acrylic ruler. Measure | | | | to the machine. |
| twice and cut once. If you use a template and | | | | |