Quilting Bee Article

The Preparation That Goes Into Quilting

You’ve decided that you want to make a quilt. The first item on your agenda is the choice of material you wish to use. The color scheme of your quilt is equally important. With all the colors to choose from and then some, you are flummoxed. Don’t be. The temptation is to pick out your favorite color. It’s your choice but don’t be hasty. Get a color wheel and look at all the possible combinations. You could achieve a monochromatic effect by juxtaposing light and dark shades of the same color or you could create a myriad hued crazy quilt. Look at fabrics on the store shelves to inspire you to choose the right color.

The next consideration would be what fabric to choose. Here again the plethora of fabrics on offer may faze you. Some prefer natural fabrics, while others go for synthetic materials. Most people use pure cotton fabric. It has many advantages. It lasts long, is soft and comfortable and the color is generally fast. Cotton quilts don’t lose shape and most importantly from the quilter’s point of view, the fabric is easy to handle. These are the reasons they are preferred over polyester and other fabric blends. If you wish to make a quilt for the new addition to the family, flannel would be your first choice, since the fabric is soft and a quilt made from this keeps the baby warm and snug.

However, if you’re looking for something original, there are plenty of designer fabrics on offer. You’ll certainly find something that suits your fancy and your lifestyle. If you want a one-of-a-kind quilt and at the same time have fun working at it, you could incorporate a theme. It will certainly be a challenge choosing material to cover events in your life! Whatever theme you choose, this quilt is sure to attract attention for its novelty. If you’re an animal lover, you could ‘people’ your quilt with animals. If you are a gourmet, food is the theme for you. A sun ‘n’ sand person would love a beach scene, while a sports addict would prefer a sporty theme. Whatever your preference, with a little imagination, you could create an amazing quilt. If you’re going to make a gift of it, make sure the theme suits the recipient.

This illustrates the point that when choosing the fabric or designing a quilt you should let your heart be your guide. Only if you experiment, will you have fun with your project. Once you have decided on the theme and have chosen your material and cut out the desired shapes, it’s time to prepare the material. Many of the bits may have been in your scrap bag or from old garments, so they need to be cleaned. The fabric should be soaked for a while. Use cold water. Then give the pieces a gentle rub with a soft soap. After a rinse, hang them out to dry or use the spin dryer. When they are dry, use an iron to straighten them out, especially the corners. Now the pieces are ready for quilting. The result will be well worth the time and care taken in the preparation.