Sunday, March 22, 2015

Quilting Ain't for Suckers!

So I took on a quilt challenge and to tell you the truth, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into! I thought I had a plan and I was pretty sure this would be so easy to make..........and you know how the rest goes. I chose my picture and I knew that I wanted to make an applique block of a Afro woman in all different shades of brown. I had my picture in hand, chose to make it about 10X10 and I was like I will fit that on a 12X12 square. I told you I had a plan.

So I went and bought four different shades of brown for skin color, black for the hair and white for the squares. I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money on fancy fabrics for this project, so that is why I chose solid broad cloth in my first attempt at a quilt. I bought batting that was 45X60 inches. I also bought 3 packs of quilt binding double bias tape, clear thread and muslin for the back of the quilt. Now the fun started!
This is my picture that I started with and 
my templates made of card stock below.
 12X12 Squares

 My Afro Ladies! 
So now it was time to sew my ladies to the squares. Naturally being a seamstress, I pinned it all and as I was starting to make my way to my sewing machine I was like "This is not going to work" So I logged onto YouTube to get some help on how to get it done. Now if your a quilter I know you're shaking your head right now! I know, I know, I know...or at least now I know better. I had to take  break and run to Walmart to get some wonder under to assist in this task.
 I put together all my heads that 
I will be appliqueing to the squares. 
Sewing these was now going to be a breeze! I'm now going to zig-zag down the edges of the fabric to the squares. I decided that I wanted to use a loose zig-zag stitch for this project and that meant that you would see the fabric through my stitching. I tried my best to make sure I stayed on the lines but remember I had a lot of zig-zagging to do! A tip I learned from YouTube was to put a piece of paper under my square for stability and a better looking stitch. After I sewed all my appliques, ripped off the paper I used on the backs, I sewed rows of four across and then attached them all together. I was so focused I forgot to take pictures, after all quilting is serious business.
 All squares sewn together, clipping threads and getting ready to add batting and the back of the quilt.

  All layers sewn together. I had to hit up YouTube again for this step. I laid all my pieces on top of each other on the floor and I used spray adhesive to bind them together for stitching in the ditch.  And what it that you ask? Stitch in the ditch is sewing through all the layers in the seams that are on your quilt. I am a beginner so I just did big squares,I had to sew over each seam that I used to connect the squares. This is where I used my clear thread.
 Now all that was left to do was to add my bias tape around the edges and WA-La I was done!  I will say this, do your research before you start your quilt. Make sure you have the necessary tools needed. I think a professional quilter would cringe if they knew the short cuts that I took, some would maybe even cry if they knew what I did! I learned a lot as I was making this quilt. I suggest that you get a cold beverage of your choice, sit in a comfy chair and log onto YouTube and watch some beginner videos and then watch some of the masters at their crafts. There are valuable things being shared that would make you a better quilter. I went out and bought a few things new quilting tools for my next quilt.
        photo 35845374-bce1-426b-9e7a-633f43c85d42_zps12c60185.jpg
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17 comments

  1. Wow a lot of work but it's beautiful!!

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    1. It was a learning experience cause I was doing it ass backwards but boy does this quilt have a wonderful story behind it! Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned!

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  2. Wow, what an impact that has. The techniques for quilting you can pick up on you tube but your flair for designing is innate. Its great.

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    1. Thanks so much for the compliment I will take that any day! You know sometimes i surprise myself with the things I make and this was one of those things.

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  3. What a wonderful design and well done for the execution of a magnificent quilt.

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  4. Very cool! I love it! I'll be following you now to see what other cool stuff you come up with. :)

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    1. Thanks LaRue! Stay tuned I have some cool stuff coming up!

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  5. This is a beautiful quilt! A lady told me that quilting gives you a chance to be truly original in designs. You have definitely done that. Luv it!

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    1. Thanks and I like that! This project came together quite nicely and I love it.

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  6. Seriously this is amazing for your first second or third quilt. I love it!

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    1. Thanks. I love it and I know that my next quilt will be even better, not to take away form this one but better technically.

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  7. Nice job. I love the repeated pattern in all different shades. Lovely.

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    1. Thanks I was concerned about my repeat at first but once I put them together I loved them!

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