News, Articles, and Events
Quilting Bug will present you with news articles and tips that we think will help you enjoy or get more from your quilting experience. Articles and tips are gathered from experienced quilters around the world for your enjoyment.
Have you Been Bitten by the Quilting Bug?
Through
out the years many people have been genuinely impressed with the quiet
charm of quilting. It does not matter the age or generation it is truly
a gifted craft. This ancient form of sewing has been used not only for
functionality but also for creating atmosphere within your home. For
those who have been endeared to quilting they get many joys by their
finished projects. Whether they keep them to decorate their homes or
whether they give them as beautiful hand made gifts for special occasion
quilters are unique crafters.
If you have been bitten by the quilting bug you are probably trying to
get as much information as you can possible get about it. For beginners
you can certainly gain all the information you need by searching online.
Many sites will offer free information from expert quilters. They offer
step-by-step directions. They also offer many illustrations so you can
actually tell if you are completing each step correctly. They specialize
in helping novice quilters to be able to successful create and finish
your first quilting project.
If you have little or no previous experience with sewing the idea of
quilting may seem a little overwhelming. But with clear and concise
instructions, learning the techniques for quilting can be broken down
into simple steps. This will also give you a chance to improve on your
sewing techniques. The best advice you can get when you are first
beginning is to keep it simple. Your first project should be relatively
easy. You don't want to get discouraged when you are first beginning. If
you have experience with sewing you are ahead of the game when it comes
to learning how to quilt. Once you dive into the project make sure that
you read the instructions carefully. Having to correct stitching is no
fun and takes a lot of time.
There are those out there that think that quilting is an outdated and no
longer necessary craft. That is very unfortunate but that is not the
prevailing opinion. You can see a new trend of a renewed interest in the
craft. There are many new ideas that you can use to make your home
cozier and more reflective of who you are. Most quilters use their
creations for bed covering but it is becoming more popular to use them
as wall decorations. No matter how you got bit by the quilting bug you
will find that it is a hobby that you can enjoy for a lifetime.
This month's tips:
* If you have trouble threading your sewing machine needle or any needle for that matter try this: for the sewing machine, place a small piece of white paper behind the needle with the left hand and thread with the right. For sewing needles, use any white or very light colored background. This was my Grandmother's trick and it works. - Pauline in Arizona.
* Getting small block pieces from the cutting table to the machine can cause arrangements to be out of order sometimes. I had my husband cut a piece of paneling about 16" square. I used a thin piece of batting and put this on top of the piece of paneling. Then I covered the batting with 100% cotton about 2" bigger than the paneling. I then wrapped about 1" of fabric all the way around to the back side and hot glued it down on the back. Makes a mini design board portable. Used it when I was teaching some quilt classes so the ladies could pass it around and see how the blocks were laid out
* Cut a small piece of fabric about one inch wide and two inches long and pass it under your needle when you are finished sewing. When you are doing lots of sewing or strip piecing it keeps you from having to cut the thread each time and saves thread. - Muriel in Connecticut
* After I sew on my binding, I fold it to the back and fasten it with quilt clips. They look like hair clips and hold it in place while I'm hand sewing the binding. - Cindy in Montana
Folding Your Quilts
Don't fold quilts in half and then in quarters--the dent in the middle shows quickly. Fold it in thirds horizontally and then vertically. There is less less wrinkling if the pieced side is out.
