I Love My Accuquilt

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Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/beginner-quilting-learn-the-of-applique-quilt-making-466382.html

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Beginner/Easy quilt patterns?
   I am a beginning quilter (I have been sewing for quite some time but I would like to try something other than garments now) and I was wondering if anyone knew of any good easy/beginner quilt patterns that are free online. I have been to some websites but have found them kind of confusing. If anyone could help me out that would be great! thanks!

   • ANSWER:
     Like you I started out by making clothes and home dec items, but quilting is my true love.

     My all time favorite link for quilt blocks is:
     http://www.quilterscache.com/
     You can search the individual blocks by difficulty or just browse the web-site to get an idea of which blocks you like,
     but there are so many other links out there, that there wouldn't be enough space to type them all here.

     If you want to learn new things at the comfort of your home, I highly recommend taking classes at http://quiltuniversity.com/
     I'm currently taking my second fabric dyeing class there. The class prices are very reasonable and you work at your own pace. The students can ask questions in the forum for the teacher to answer and send pictures of their work in to the student gallery for the other students and the teacher so see.

     If you want to take a peek at some things I do, you can click below:
     http://community.webshots.com/user/quiltinbug

     I teach a variety of quilt classes from a progressive sampler (in which students will build on their skills with each class) to strip pieced tumbling blocks and lone star quilts that are all done by machine, and Hawaiian and Celtic style quilting by hand. Currently I'm working on a Jinny Beyer quilt (Moonglow) http://www.jinnybeyer.com/ax_commerce/sh...

     and Dear Jane blocks. http://www.dearjane.com/

     But here are some more links for you to get started:

     http://www.freepatterns.com/

     http://www.equiltpatterns.com/

     http://quilting.about.com/

     http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/

     http://www.quilttownusa.com/

     http://www.thequiltercommunity.com/

     Have fun quilting!
     If you have any questions about tools, block construction etc. feel free to e-mail me @ sewcountry2001@yahoo.com

2. QUESTION:
   Anyone have an easy quilt pattern for Crown Royal bags?
   I am a beginner at sewing and I'd like to make a Crown Royal quilt. I need a really easy pattern to work with. Thanks for the answers!!

   • ANSWER:
     This one is very easy. Cut the blocks/squares 4.5" and use a 1/4" seam allowance for a 4" finished block - http://www.quiltsrus.org/product.asp?ItemId=377

3. QUESTION:
   I need a light house quilt block pattern?
   I am looking for several options of lighthouse quilt blocks, especially an easy pieced pattern, that can be found online. I have some paper pieced and applique from quilterscache, but need some easier ones for beginner quilters. Thanks!
   Specifically, I'm looking for one that is NOT paper pieced or foundation pieced or appliqued. Those are too scary for my newbie quilting friends. Thanks!

   • ANSWER:
     I couldn't find any pieced lighthouse blocks that didn't use foundation, but you could try creating your own. Make a simple rail fence block for the base and the background, then make a one seam flying geese for a pointy top. Add a square to either side to match the background, and you're done.

     Here's a link to the one seam flying geese (there's a PDF tutorial - it's amazingly easy!):
     http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/one-seam-dimensional-flying-geese/

     Make the geese first so you know how wide to make the base. You could even make the base in alternating strips to give the lighthouse dimension, or make it slightly angled instead of straight up and down.

     Here - check this link to see how I made a basic pieced lighthouse block using the one seam flying geese:
     http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/pieced-lighthouse-block/

4. QUESTION:
   Baby quilt pattern ideas?
   My aunt and uncle are having a baby due in January 2012, and it will be my last cousin (only biological one though). I wanted to make something special for the baby so I'm making a quilt. I'm not a beginner, I've made several scrap quilts and a few log cabin quilts. I'm making the quilt big enough to fit the crib. I need a some-what easy pattern because school takes up most of my time. I'll mostly work on it on weekends only. I would like the quilt to be completed by Christmas 2011. It's a baby girl, so my fabrics are a pink theme. I have several fat quarters, but once I know my pattern I will buy more fabric as needed.

   So my main question is what pattern should I use? I was thinking of just triangles with a border around it. Or should I do a mini log cabin?

   I would like to do a different pattern (an easy-ish one). Please give ideas! I would LOVE if you could give me links to patterns and include directions. And keep in mind I need to be done by Christmas (So roughly 3 months) and I can only work on it on weekends.

   Thank you so much!
   I forgot to mention- Free patterns preferred!

   And I also sew with a machine if that matters.

   Thanks!

   • ANSWER:
     Check out some of the ideas for "easy" or beginner quilts listed in my answers to these previous question for patterns that would be on the quicker side (some overlap):
     http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap.dZGcsx7OnCVMltm8eVmvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070610225929AA9GdXv
     http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj..zgsZAT_xERX8lb1pXNjty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070807081321AADEzdj
     only-squares patterns... plus links to simple patterns + "also":
     http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ao4fxwiaGcLuRM7jTejgR2cW53NG;_ylv=3?qid=20100131094207AAamCs8
     Of course, variations on colors used in different areas could add a lot of complexity too to any pattern.

     And here are just a lot of "baby quilts" from online to get more ideas:
     http://www.google.com/images?q=baby=quilt

     As for the patterns, some of those links will come with lessons, templates, etc, but you can also just find out the name of the block or pattern if you don't know it, then do a search online for any quilt with that pattern. I usually just draft my own templates on graph paper, or just use a quilter's ruler to make all the pieces for most of my quilts, so don't have to contend with that most of the time.

     P.S. You might want to reconsider the pink...sonograms can definitely be wrong! (I've known that to be true even far down the line).
     Any kinds of pastels are great for that baby quilt look, and actually bright contrasty colors are better for babies since they have an easier time recognizing shapes, etc, and will actually be more interested in them. When I made baby quilts I often just tried to do something complementary to the color scheme of the baby's room or the color preferences of the mother too. Almost any pattern can be done in those ways, and/or a few child-oriented fabrics can be used or used here and there in any pattern.

5. QUESTION:
   Quilting For Beginners? ( Advice Needed )?
   Hello! I'm starting to get interested in quilting. My mom, my grandmothers and their grandmothers did it and I want to pass down the tradition! I'm about to take a night class after school is finished. And I'm currently looking for an easy pattern for my first quilt/blanket. I need a little help with finding one. Any Ideas and Sites? Thanks!
   Curly
   P.S I'm already looking on www.keepsakequilts.com. I love that site! Is there any more good ones that you know? Thanks!

   • ANSWER:
     Glad you're taking a class - it's amazingly helpful! I also strongly suggest you find a quilt guild in your area and join it - you'll get great advice, a supportive and fun community, and inspiring and educational programs.
     'About.com' has a LOT of info for beginners - there's a tutorial, there's a section of quilt patterns for beginners, there's a 'how to quilt' section', and more.
     http://quilting.about.com/
     One of the most extensive collections of free block patterns on the net, plus quilt patterns and quilting lessons, is at Marcia's Quilting Cache. Click on the 'where do you want to go today?' drop-down.
     http://www.quilterscache.com/
     Victoriana Quilts has so much stuff, I go into overload!
     http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/
     Hope you find some things you like, and welcome to the addiction!

6. QUESTION:
   What Are some Good Books on Quilting for Beginners?
   I really want to try quilting but I don't really know much.
   I'm 14 going on 15 and I need some quilting books that have all the quilting "language" meanings.
   Also book that have patterns and instructions, and that are easy to understand for teens with learning disabilities.

   • ANSWER:
     So, if you laugh at me, at least we are too far apart for me to hear all the giggling- but when you stop, try it.
     When I start to learn new stuff, I - with lots of birthdays- go to the children's section of the library to start the process.
     Kids books do not assume that I know what all the new words mean or how to start the processes.
     They start at the beginning and take things one small step at a time.
     If you can ditch worrying about LDs, no one else will bother you .

     ps, I have gotten lots of my friends, grandmas etc, to use kid's books too. IT WORKS.
     After you start with a kid's book, you can do something more.

     There is a series called DUMMIES, and I have found them helpful too - but start with the kid's books just the same.

7. QUESTION:
   Beginner's Quilt Free Pattern?
   I am a teenager, just starting on quilting, and looking for some easy but good-looking patterns, preferably without triangles! The pieces cannot be too large because I have a large selection of fabric but about 1/8 yd. of each. Is there a free pattern online that I can use?

   • ANSWER:
     How about good old 9-patch?
     http://scrapquilts.com/julybom.html
     .

8. QUESTION:
   I'm Looking for a Quilting pattern for a Beginner.?
   I bought a quick cuts 5-piece bundle of fabric. Each piece 18in.x 21in. I'm looking for an easy pattern. I am just learning how to quilt. Any help is greatly appreciated.

   • ANSWER:
     That size piece of fabric is called a fat quarter. Look for books or patterns that say they are fat quarter friendly, or made especially for fat quarters. For beginners, nothing beats a Chinese Coins pattern. It's very simple, there are no seam intersections to match, and it teaches the basics of strip piecing. Check out instructions here:
     http://www.quilterscache.com/C/ChineseCoinsBlock.html

     This Flickr group has photos of the many, many ways you can use this pattern:
     http://www.flickr.com/groups/2009coinquiltpiecealong/pool/

     The Rail Fence block is similar to the Chinese Coins because it is also strip pieced. You can cut long strips of fabric, sew them together, then cut them into blocks. It's a very fast pattern.
     http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RailFenceBlock.html

     I'd also recommend you check out a book called "Start Quilting with Alex Anderson." It's an excellent first quilting book. The beginner quilting class I took used this as our textbook.

9. QUESTION:
   Where can I get a REALLY EASY TO FOLLOW step-by-step pattern for knitting a quilt/blanket?
   I'd like to knit a blanket that will be useful to an adult that's at least 5'5''. I know the very basic steps on knitting so I don't want any stitch that is too complicated to learn. I'm also looking for a color pattern that is easy to follow and perhaps a little more in-depth for beginners. I haven't had much luck coming across anything I've found helpful.

   • ANSWER:
     Within this site you will find blankets. You should also be able to find them at Lion Brand

     http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/afghans.php

     http://cache.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/patternFinder.fcgi?search=Search&store=%2Fstores%2Feyarn&resultPageTemplate=ResultPage.html&resultItemTemplate=ResultItem.txt&noResultPageTemplate=NoResultPage.html&case=no&primaryServer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lionbrand.com&minPrice=0&noBoolean=1&searchText=+knit++blankets&sT=1&Go.x=4&Go.y=10
     Which shows 182 different patterns but some show up as afghans. These afghans are made longer and woven together to make blankets. They have some great patterns and you can make the blanket from one pattern of an afghan or as many as you want to mix up for the blanket. Email me if you want more to choose from.

     EDIT...IF you try to make your blanket with a circular needle it will get toooooo heavy to work with as you make more of the blanket and that is why I choose to give you the sites for scarfs at the Lion Brand site. If you choose one of their patterns please contact me for some information.

10. QUESTION:
    Making a quilt from receiving blankets?
    I'd like to make a quilt from my daughter's old flannel receiving blankets - something she can take to sleepovers one day or curl up on the couch with. Does anyone know where I can find some good patterns for this? All of the colors are pretty light, most have a pale background with little designs. I'm definitely a beginner, so something easy would be best. Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      Even easier than squares would be long strips (the whole width or length of the finished quilt) since there would then be no seams to "match" when sewing together.

      You could make the strips any width you want, or vary their widths, and you could even intentionally make them unparallel which would be more like a "crazy" strips pattern. Then just sew the strips together along their long sides (can do it in sections if you want, then join the sections).

      A "brick" pattern of smaller rectangles would also work to avoid having to match seams because the bricks are offset from each other:
      http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=brick+quilt

      Or of course, you could just do a "whole cloth" quilt by using a whole baby blanket on each side of the quilt with a batting in-between.

      If you're new to this, I'd suggest just making the quilt with the "inside-out" or "quick turn" technique, then just "tie" the quilt:
      Here's some info on that technique
      http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070531101935AAemBUZ
      http://www.fabriclandwest.com/quilters%20corner/Birthing_quilt.htm
      http://thecraftstudio.com/qwc/finish.htm
      http://blankie.made4usa.com/StarIndex/QuickPin/Quickpin.html
      (although she uses no batting, and also pins the top and back together for sewing around *a lot* which probably isn’t necessary)

      Here are some links on "tying" a quilt:
      http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=tie+quilt

      She'll love it though whatever you do!

      HTH,

      Diane B.

11. QUESTION:
    Crazy Quilt or Traditional Block Quilt?
    I'm 20 and I'm going to make my very first quilt. I have dreamt about doing one for years now. I cannot decide which type of quilt to make. Which do you think will be easier for a beginner? The type of block quilt I want to make is without a pattern and with unique materials, not one block the same. Is quilting easier than it looks too?

    • ANSWER:
      Crazy quilts were immensely popular in the late 1800's as a way of showing off women's needlework skills. They are heavily embellished with embroidery, lace, buttons, etc. Crazy quilts are not as easy as they may appear. It requires real planning to assemble crazy quilt blocks. Instead, I'd recommend starting with something a little easier. It doesn't have to be a traditional block, but you could incorporate the freeform appearance of crazy quilts with the modern fabrics and styles of today's quilts. Check out the following Flickr groups for photos of quilts that might appeal to you:
      http://www.flickr.com/groups/freshmodernquilts/pool/
      http://www.flickr.com/groups/2009coinquiltpiecealong/pool/
      http://www.flickr.com/groups/mqa/pool/
      http://www.flickr.com/groups/modsamplerquiltalong/pool/
      http://www.flickr.com/groups/denyseschmidtquilts/pool/

12. QUESTION:
    Does anyone have a pattern to make a ragged patchwork blanket?
    I am looking to make a blanket or my daughter. I don't really want a quilt, as where we live, it gets very hot. I am a beginner in the sewing world, so I'm looking for an easy pattern. Thanks in advance!!

    • ANSWER:
      Just cut some fabric squares to the size you would like. The less sewing you'd like the larger the squares. Don't combine different fabric types. Rather than sewing the squares with the front of fabric facing one another sew them with backs facing and use a good 1/2" seam allowance. Once you've completed a row the width you want move on to the next. When you've got it as big as you want wash and dry. You can make snips in the seams being very careful to not go too deeply prior to washing and that will give it more of a ragged look. I hope this helps you.

13. QUESTION:
    need help in quilting!?
    im trying to make a new quilt for my queen size bed. i wanted to do lke a leopard print, but i don't know what kind of pattern to use. right now my room is green and brown and i would like to keep that theme and incorporate the leopard, brown and green into the quilt so it will go in my room. any ideas on a pattern that i should use that will look nice? also something easy and not to complicated would be nice because im a beginner at quilting. thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      Do you have a friend who successfully decorates their own place and could assist? Do you know someone who quilts and can help you pick an easy quilt pattern?

      You can take samples of your colors to a quilt shop if there is one near you, and ask the knowledgeable ladies there to assist you. If they have a leopard print that will work, they can match it to your color scheme with the coordinating fabrics. You might ask about easy patterns and see what they say. Don't expect them to necessarily be deco experts, after all, they can't see your room.

      As far as a pattern, do you want tiny patchwork or larger splotches of color for impact? For sewing, the larger the better if you are a beginner.

      Try and map out on graph paper some different pattern schemes to see what pleases your eye. Will large patches work or wide stripes -- or skinny stripes?

      Do you want to make it reversible? Will you have deco pillows for another accent? Do you have a fabric headboard? These things affect your choice of patterns.

      I've see some good effects on the room makeover programs on HGTV, so maybe watch a couple to see if something works for you.

14. QUESTION:
    Bow tucks bag question,anyone out there made one? Or experienced crafters out there that can explain it?
    I'm confused. I've heard from people that this pattern is easy, and for the most part that seems to be true. Although one step--the first step doesn't make sense to me at all.I am a beginner, I know the basics and can usually figure things out. But i'm baffled on this one. It goes like this.

    fabric pieces are 4.5x7(front) 6x7 (inner & trim)

    ''Step 1: Outer Pocket
    Sew the front pocket piece to the front pocket lining piece, right sides together, along the 7'' length (the pocket in 7'' wide) Fold in half, right sides together matching the raw edges, press. This creates the contrasting trim at the top of the pocket. Open and fuse the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the pocket the line you just created by pressing. Stitch along the sides, turn and press. Quilt as desired."

    Sew along the 7'' length on the pocket: am I suppose to sew the bottom edge? Or at the top pf the outer piece when they are overlaid?

    Fold in half.(with the trim at the top???)..matching raw edges, press: What? Wouldn't that make a crease in the middle of the pocket??? I am really confused here.

    I know this probably isn't that hard. Maybe I am just reading it wrong, or misunderstanding something. If someone can reword this for me or explain this that would be great.

    • ANSWER:
      If you have scrap cloth around you can test it out on that.
      Match the raw edges and make the seam along that edge. I suggest opening the piece and pressing it flat first. Take a look at it - the 4.5" wide side will be the outside of your pocket and the 6" wide side will be the inside. The extra width on that side will be the trim.
      When you fold in half and press (match the remaining 7" edges) you create a fold line that you then use to place your fleece properly.
      I have no idea why you would open to fuse the fleece and then stitch along the edges - I would have thought you would fold it along the fold line again to stitch it together... But at any rate, when you turn it right-sides-out you should see the contrasting trim.

      Hope that all makes sense.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at 2:50 am and is filed under quilting tools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.