| In order to learn how to quilt you must first | | | | as it is sometimes called. This is an |
| understand how a quilt is made. | | | | exacting method of sewing small pieces of |
| | | | fabric ('patches') together to produce a |
| Basically a quilt is a sandwich that consists | | | | decorative pattern or 'block'. This can be |
| of three layers. The top of the quilt is a | | | | done either by hand or with a sewing machine. |
| decorative layer created from small fabric | | | | |
| pieces or 'patches' sewn together in a | | | | Another important definition to know while |
| creative and artistic manner. | | | | learning how to quilt is of the term |
| | | | appliqué. Applique is the method of |
| The second layer is the batting. Batting is a | | | | applying fabric shapes (called 'patches') by |
| cozy thermal layer of matted cotton, wool, | | | | hand, onto a fabric background. Applique are |
| polyester or silk fibers that give the quilt | | | | grouped together to produce a decorative |
| warmth and volume. | | | | pattern or 'block'. If you are using a sewing |
| | | | machine, appliqué, fabric shapes are |
| The third layer is the backing that is made | | | | usually cut into the desired shape without |
| from one continuous piece of fabric. | | | | seam allowances. The shapes are then fused to |
| | | | the background with heat-activated fusible |
| Quilting is the stitching which holds the | | | | web. They are usually sewn on the quilt using |
| three layers of the quilt 'sandwich' together | | | | a close zigzag stitch called a 'satin |
| while forming a decorative design. Quilting | | | | stitch'. This method is particularly suited |
| can be done either by hand or machine. | | | | to intricate 'pictorial' appliqué that |
| | | | attempts to reproduce a stylized or realistic |
| The three layers are held together in one of | | | | story or picture. |
| three ways... | | | | |
| | | | Another method of machine appliqué |
| The oldest method is hand quilting. This is | | | | involves drawing or tracing the shape onto |
| perhaps the most labor intensive choice for | | | | the wrong side of the fabric. The patch is |
| those just learning how to make a quilt. Hand | | | | then placed facedown onto a lightweight |
| quilting is usually done in a quilting 'hoop' | | | | lining and sewn around the marked seam line. |
| or on a quilting 'frame' using special | | | | It is then trimmed, turned right side out and |
| needles, called 'betweens', and quilting | | | | sewn to the background using invisible thread |
| thread. | | | | and a machine blind hemstitch. |
| | | | |
| The easiest method is machine quilting. | | | | If you are just learning how to quilt that |
| Machine quilting involves the use of a sewing | | | | are plenty of sites on the Internet that can |
| machine to stitch the layers of the fabric | | | | explain such products as heat-activated |
| sandwich together. | | | | fusible web and, seam lines and various |
| | | | stitches used in quilting. |
| The third method is called tying which | | | | |
| involves using evenly spaced knots or bows to | | | | A 'Block' is a single design unit comprised |
| hold the layers together at wider intervals | | | | of small fabric pieces sewn together to |
| than quilting. Done by hand or machine, this | | | | produce a decorative pattern. Often, blocks |
| method makes a generous, puffy quilt called a | | | | are separated by alternating plain squares or |
| comforter. | | | | by fabric strips. This is called sashing. |
| | | | Sashing is a term that those just learning |
| Those learning how to make a quilt should be | | | | how to quilt will run into often. |
| familiar with the term piecing or patchwork | | | | |