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Handmade Quilts: Patterns, Technique, Baby Quilts And Quilt Shops
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Published: August 7, 2007
The most memorable gifts new parents can receive are handmade quilts crafted especially for their baby. Not only are they a practical gift serving as baby's first blanket, but they will remain a cherished keepsake throughout the child's lifetime. With the right tools, anyone who has the drive to create this unique token of their love for new and old family members can make handmade quilts.
The first step to making handmade quilts is picking out the fabric. Visiting the local quilt shop can be overwhelming due to its almost infinite selection of colors and patterns. But as long as beginners are aware of quilting lingo, fabric shopping should be an enjoyable experience. When quilters refer to a fabric's value, they are not referring to the fabric's monetary worth but to the brightness or darkness of that particular color. The value of a piece of fabric depends on the fabric that surrounds it. Therefore, in order for quilt patterns to be noticeable, quilters have to create a contrast of deep and light colors depending on personal preference. Fabrics with large and small prints are available to add texture to handmade quilts and cover up any crooked stitching or other flaws. Having so many options ensures all handmade quilts are special.
Once quilters have determined the colors and patterns of their choice, they have to decide how much fabric to buy for their handmade quilts. Quilting enthusiasts generate fabric stash; where they simply buy attractive fabrics whenever they come across them to store for a later project. However, for the sake of simplicity, beginners should refer to the guidelines of the particular pattern they are following for the appropriate quantity of material for their handmade quilts. Also, quilters should wash the fabric before using to preshrink it and to ensure the colors do not bleed.
Websites that feature quilting supplies and patterns for handmade quilts are numerous. Quiltingcotton.com offers handmade Quilt Kits at reasonable prices for those who want to begin developing their quilting technique. They have a blue, green and pink Take 5 Quilt Kit Bright in stock for only $32. This kit includes enough material for blocks, borders and binding to sew together a 48 inch by 60 inch handmade quilt.
Freequiltpatterns.com is another great source for making handmade quilts; it has a variety of styles including patterns of baby quilts for beginners. One such pattern is called the Easy Patchwork Quilt that makes handmade quilts 41 inches by 41 inches. In order to make one of these handmade quilts, the quilter needs ¾ yard each of two flannel patterns, ½ yard fabric for the border, 1/3 yard fabric for the binding and 1 ¼ yard fabric for the binding. Cut 12, 7 ½ inch by 7 ½ inch squares out of the flannel fabric. Alternate the flannel patterns and sew them together in rows of five. Then simply sew the top and bottom border and add the binding and backing.
With so many patterns available in baby quilts alone, beginners should have no trouble finding the right handmade quilts for them. Handmade quilts make practical, one-of-a-kind gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Sources:
Doak, Carol. Your First Quilt Book. Woodinville: That Patchwork Place, 1997.
"Easy Quilt Patterns." Victoriana Quilt Designs. 2001-2007. 30 July 2007. http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/QuiltCategories/ FreeEasyQuiltPatterns.htm.
"Quilt Kits." The Cotton Loft. 1999-2007. 30 July 2007. http://www.quiltingcotton.com/cgi-local/ws400CS.cg i?hs=Y&submit_search=Y&text_val=QK&tex
The first step to making handmade quilts is picking out the fabric. Visiting the local quilt shop can be overwhelming due to its almost infinite selection of colors and patterns. But as long as beginners are aware of quilting lingo, fabric shopping should be an enjoyable experience. When quilters refer to a fabric's value, they are not referring to the fabric's monetary worth but to the brightness or darkness of that particular color. The value of a piece of fabric depends on the fabric that surrounds it. Therefore, in order for quilt patterns to be noticeable, quilters have to create a contrast of deep and light colors depending on personal preference. Fabrics with large and small prints are available to add texture to handmade quilts and cover up any crooked stitching or other flaws. Having so many options ensures all handmade quilts are special.
Once quilters have determined the colors and patterns of their choice, they have to decide how much fabric to buy for their handmade quilts. Quilting enthusiasts generate fabric stash; where they simply buy attractive fabrics whenever they come across them to store for a later project. However, for the sake of simplicity, beginners should refer to the guidelines of the particular pattern they are following for the appropriate quantity of material for their handmade quilts. Also, quilters should wash the fabric before using to preshrink it and to ensure the colors do not bleed.
Websites that feature quilting supplies and patterns for handmade quilts are numerous. Quiltingcotton.com offers handmade Quilt Kits at reasonable prices for those who want to begin developing their quilting technique. They have a blue, green and pink Take 5 Quilt Kit Bright in stock for only $32. This kit includes enough material for blocks, borders and binding to sew together a 48 inch by 60 inch handmade quilt.
Freequiltpatterns.com is another great source for making handmade quilts; it has a variety of styles including patterns of baby quilts for beginners. One such pattern is called the Easy Patchwork Quilt that makes handmade quilts 41 inches by 41 inches. In order to make one of these handmade quilts, the quilter needs ¾ yard each of two flannel patterns, ½ yard fabric for the border, 1/3 yard fabric for the binding and 1 ¼ yard fabric for the binding. Cut 12, 7 ½ inch by 7 ½ inch squares out of the flannel fabric. Alternate the flannel patterns and sew them together in rows of five. Then simply sew the top and bottom border and add the binding and backing.
With so many patterns available in baby quilts alone, beginners should have no trouble finding the right handmade quilts for them. Handmade quilts make practical, one-of-a-kind gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Sources:
Doak, Carol. Your First Quilt Book. Woodinville: That Patchwork Place, 1997.
"Easy Quilt Patterns." Victoriana Quilt Designs. 2001-2007. 30 July 2007. http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/QuiltCategories/ FreeEasyQuiltPatterns.htm.
"Quilt Kits." The Cotton Loft. 1999-2007. 30 July 2007. http://www.quiltingcotton.com/cgi-local/ws400CS.cg i?hs=Y&submit_search=Y&text_val=QK&tex
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