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