Well, I feel like I’ve finally turned a corner with my Quilting the Easy Way project. If you need to catch up, I began this project by taking some stash fabrics and cutting them into two modified Jelly Rolls. Next, I pieced two small quilt tops from the Jelly Rolls.
All in all, these steps have been fairly simple, not too time consuming, and a whole lot of sewin’ fun. A couple hours here and there and before I knew it, I had two pieced quilt tops ready for the next step: Quilting.
Since there are two quilt tops, I will go through the steps for one quilt top with a little from the second thrown in. In an attempt to use what I have on hand, I found a white-ish stash piece of fabric that has a white-on-white leaf pattern for the backing. It doesn’t hurt that my less-than-ideal machine quilting skills won’t show.
I accessed a Craftsy class on Machine Quilting (affiliate link) by Wendy Butler Burns. Pretty much everything I know about the quilting process I learned from the video. Anyway, in the video, Wendy suggests that you mark your table with BBQ skewers. Since I didn’t have any, I used these dowels. If I had it to do over again, I would run to the store and get some BBQ skewers. The dowels were…#lessthanideal
I folded my quilt top and then pressed in a center fold. With the right side of the quilt backing facing down, I layed it on the table with the folds lining up with the dowels. The arrows show the pressed fold lines that are on top of the dowels. This will keep all of the layers square. #crossyourfingers
Then, I placed a layer of Warm & White batting on top of the quilt batting. I used a spray adhesive {affiliate link} to hold it in place then I marked the fold lines with a Frixion pen (affiliate link). The ink will disappear with heat ~ from an iron.
Next, I topped off the layers with my pieced quilt top. Again, I used spray adhesive to hold it in place before pinning the three layers.
I had purchased a stippling stencil (affiliate link) and a can of spray chalk. Love the stencil ~ don’t feel the same about the spray chalk. It is just too messy. However, I used the entire can of the spray chalk to make the stippling lines. It was very difficult to follow the markings and also pretty messy. OK, I’m going to be real honest here ~ I HATED the spray chalk. This is a total newbie mistake. I couldn’t find a start or stop place. And, I didn’t factor in the fact the the chalk would still be on the quilt when I went add binding to the quilt. #whatastinkingmess
In spite of this, the quilt top turned out decently and I am happy enough with the result.
So, I went through all of the above steps for the second quilt top. Instead of using the stencil and spray chalk, I used the stencil and a few Frixion pens. This way, when I’m finished with my quilting I can just hit the marks with the iron and the marking will disappear. #iheartfrixionpens
Next, I added the quilt binding. I used the standard method for attaching binding. The Sewing Loft has a great tutorial on this. The only difference, I cut my binding strips into 2.75″ pieces because I’m making smaller quilts. I used the wavy stitch to attach the binding ~ because a straight stitch would’ve been wavy anyway.
Before I knew it, I had two small quilts ready to give as gifts. Or, not. I really like them both. Which one is your favorite?
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Kim says
April 21, 2014 at 2:35 amGood job on finishing your quilts! I had no idea that spray chalk even existed! I always cut my binding @ 2.5″ in width and I attach the lengths of binding together by laying them perpendicular to each other and sewing a diagonal line. I use a 1/4″ seam allowance to attach my binding and either hand stitch it down on the back or machine stitch it down. I like your choice of machine stitch. I will need to try that one! Oh, and just as another idea, I either tape (or fasten with large binder clips) my quilt back to my table surface to get it as straight and wrinkle free as possible. You should be able to place your outstretched hand on your quilt top and feel at least two or three pins underneath it. You’re doing great! 🙂
Maryann says
April 21, 2014 at 8:17 amLove them both, but the orange one best ! Good job! What brand stencil did you use. Can you say?
Patricia Routt says
April 21, 2014 at 10:04 amI love them both, but if I had to pick one it would be the gray, I’m decorating with grays and bright colors in my master BR and change out bright colors when I change the color of sheets, turquoise, peach yellow, etc. and I’m using gray’s in my living room. I really want to learn how to quilt and I will when I finish what I have started in my house. You did a really good job, I hope I do half as good when I do my first quilt. I have a quilt my grand mother gave me about 40 years ago, she didn’t make it, and I’m not sure where it came from. I also have some quilts that one of my dearest friend gave me before she died, and they were made by her great grand mother, and I have my doll quilt that my aunt made for my dolls when I was 6 yrs old. All of these quilts are very special to me and give such comfort when I look at them and touch them. There is something special about passing down these works of art and generation after you are gone family members can look at these quilts and remember the person that made them.
Cheryl @ Artzzle says
April 21, 2014 at 11:24 amWell, I’ve always be a fanatic for orange . . . BUT, lately I’m sounding more and more like Patricia above. Am trying grays instead of beiges and having fun with those, so think I’ll choose . . . oh, I love both of them!
Anne says
April 21, 2014 at 11:41 pmMy favorite is certainly the orange! I’m glad I found your link through the Treasure Box Tuesday link party!
jhaney says
April 22, 2014 at 5:15 pmYour quilts are beautiful! They both turned out so nice, how could I choose a favorite?
Robin~All Things Heart and Home says
April 22, 2014 at 5:29 pmI adore them both…you’re so talented. If I have to pick a favorite, I think I love the gray and yellow one the most! Thanks so much friend for linking up to Twirl and Take a Bow! ox
Tabitha Simmons says
April 23, 2014 at 7:28 amI like the orange, but I appreciate all quilts. The first commenter above (Kim) had a lot of great info! You did a great job quilting on your domestic machine, that takes a lot of patience and talent! Only advice would be that when you machine stitch your binding, first stitch the binding onto the back of the quilt. Then you can flip it and stitch it to the front using bobbin thread that matches the backing. This way you can achieve a straight line of stitching on the front and since your stitch will be off the binding on the back it won’t be noticeable bc the bobbin thread blends in. But I do like the stitch you chose, I used the same technique when I was brand new to quilting. Congrats on your first quilts! It easily becomes an obsession 🙂
Julie says
April 23, 2014 at 8:43 amOh they are just so lovely. I admire quilt making/makers so much, I love to sew and dream of being able to make something this beautiful, maybe one day – sigh!
Crystelle says
April 23, 2014 at 11:03 pmI just fell in love with your quilts…. I pinned so I can refer to them later… You are so creative, girl! Thanks so much for your awesomeness!! 🙂
“hugs” Crystelle
Kathi Riemer says
April 24, 2014 at 2:05 pmI learned two things that I’m going to remember. First, marking the center with the dowels or skewers, second, to machine sew the binding with a wavy stitch. I don’t like to do a straight stitch because I don’t like the look so I always hand sew my binding. I am going to try the wavy stitch. I love both quilts, but I am going to choose the yellow….Spring;)
Thank you for sharing!
Kathi
Ren says
April 24, 2014 at 7:48 pmThey are both fabulous, but I especially love the gray, yellow, & white collorway. You should come join us at the Inspire Us Thursday link party on The Inspired Wren.
made by ChrissieD says
April 24, 2014 at 9:43 pmDropping by from Crafts a la Mode, great first quilts but be very careful it’s incredibly addictive ;D
JaneEllen says
April 24, 2014 at 11:06 pmHaven’t been following along but have pinned this p0st. Have never made a quilt but I am a sewer. Wanted to make a quilt for long time. This would be a wonderful project to tackle in winter for me. Liked what I saw and will be making a quilt thanks to your tutorial which is wonderful. We use quilts on our bed in winter, still have 2 on bed. one made by mil and 2 I bought. Look forward to making a quilt. Just have to be in right frame of mind. Think once I get started I won’t be able to quit. Love it you’re a quilter. Happy days
Carol says
April 25, 2014 at 9:52 amThese are just adorable, Leslie! I’ve never used a stippling pattern, but have done the “fly by the seat of my pants” method which is never uniform. I need to look for one of those stencils. I appreciate the heads-up about the chalk. Now I need to go check out your other posts about these quilts!
Leslie says
April 25, 2014 at 3:12 pmThere is a link in the post for you to purchase, but they also carry something similar at Joann’s