How to Quilt
Mark out the quilt design. The quilt design is drawn out on the fabric top using a pencil, coloured pencil, chalk or needle. The type of fabric will determine the best method.
Tip: check that the marks will not leave a permanent impression.
Layering.
If you are going to quilt using a hoop you will need to assemble the quilt. Place the backing fabric right side down. Next a layer of 2 oz wadding which can be either polyester or cotton wadding. Then place the marked out piece of fabric on top and baste the three layers together working from the centre.
Slate frames.
Traditionally quilts were quilted on a frame resting on trestles. The backing fabric is stitched onto the webbing with the excess material being wound around the far rail. The wadding and top fabric are then stitched to the near rail and pinned to the sides of the quilt using fabric strips to keep it under a light tension.
You are now ready to quilt.
You can find explanations of how to quilt in many books and I have given a brief explanation below. I would recommend that you ask an experienced quilter to show you how to quilt. Once you have got the knack it is very simple. You will feel a bit keck handed to begin with but quilting by hand is wonderfully relaxing- honest!!!!
You will need a thimble for your sewing hand and a guard or another thimble for you other hand. Different companies produce quilting threads. I often use silk thread when quilting with silk fabric. Look out for needles known as ‘betweens’ - the larger the no. the smaller the needle.
Thread the needle make a knot at the end of thread away from the needle.
Quilting is basically a running stitch.
Resting the needle on the thimble on the right hand Push the needle through the layers pushing up with your left hand underneath. You will feel the needle tip on the guard on your left hand (I use a leather guard made by Clover). Bring your thumb on the sewing hand to in front of the needle lay the needle backwards and force the needle back to the top surface. With practice you can get multiple stitches onto the needle.
Finishing off the thread. When you get to end of the pattern/ thread tie a knot in the thread make your last stitch bringing the needle approximately 1” away and ‘pop’ the knot through into the wadding.
For more information including talks and demonstrations on whole cloth quilting please contact MarGorsson. To see what can be made with hand quilting visit at home.
