Are you a beginner quilter and you are often overwhelmed by the quilting projects? Seeing those elaborate stitches makes you dread and feel like it’s impossible to make them. Well, there are easy quilting techniques to help you become a pro. In this article, you will learn 10 quilting techniques for beginners along with easy quilting tips to help you master the art of quilting.
But First, What Is a Quilt?
A quilt is a kind of textile made by stitching 3 or more layers of fabric together. It involves sandwiching padding between the top layer of fabric and the bottom. The padding is mostly made from wool and is called wadding or batting.
Some of the items you can make by quilting include; duvet, coasters, throw pillows, bed runners, etc.
Quilting Tips For Beginners
As a beginner, learning how to go about the quilting process is very important. You will come across new terminologies and patterns. Make your learning process easier using these helpful and quick quilting tips.
- Use quality fabrics to quilt. Quilting involves a lot of stitching and pressing fabric as you go. Using fabrics that are not strong can be frustrating because they will wear out in a short time. Also, fabrics like polyester cannot withstand frequent ironing.
- Press fabrics before you stitch, and press after stitching to straighten the stitching line. This will improve your accuracy when joining the blocks together.
- As a beginner quilter, familiarize yourself with a rotary cutter. Making accurate and precise cuts will make your work easy. Always keep the rotary wheel sharp for clean cuts.
- Practice making a seam allowance as low as a ⅛ or a ¼. This will help you in making very elaborate quilt stitches.
- Learn the basics of joining fabrics together. You will find that in some quilts like half square or pinwheel patterns, you will be required to join very small pieces of fabric together. Learning how to join them fast and easily will save you a great deal.
10 Quilting Techniques For Beginners
There are unending ways you can make your quilts. Here are some quilting techniques for beginners to help you grow in your quilting journey.
1. Crosshatch Quilting
They are very easy quilting techniques for beginners. You will be quilting to make X-shape stitches. Pick your quilting block and start stitching diagonally from corner to corner. First, make the two diagonal lines from corner to corner.
Use a metal bar, or a straw bent in L-shape. Insert it in the protruding metal on your walking foot. The bar should sit over the already made stitch. It will act as a guide when making the next stitch so that you will stitch parallel to each other. Then, continue the process to all the quilts.
2. Echo Quilt
Echoing a quilt involves filling an open space between motifs so that it is impossible to know the start and end line. Ideally, you will be making the same shape over and over until you fill the space. It’s the best quilting technique for beginners since you don’t have to make markings. Instead, you will only follow the design pattern and keep repeating or imitating these lines to the end.
3. Scrap-Buster Quilting
Make use of your scraps to make beautiful quilts. First, sort the scraps that are a bit longer than you’re batting. Pick two scraps and align them right side together over the batting. Sew the two fabrics and the batting together.
Press the fabric open. Add another scrap fabric and stitch together with the edge of the already sewn in scrap. Keep adding the fabrics to the end. Trim the ends to create an even shape. Add a backing.
4. In the Ditch Technique
This technique involves stitching right between the quilt blocks. When making your blocks, always press the seams open. This reduces the bulkiness when making the quilt stitches. Use a stitch in the ditch foot or an edge foot to help you stitch right on the seam.
5. Applique Technique
Applique in quilting involves some designs cutouts that are stitched in a quilt block to add more color or texture to your work. There are various ways you can add an applique to your quilt. Some of which include using fusible applique, using freezer paper, or adding a patch applique.
6. Between the Block/Sashing
It’s a quilt as you go technique where you add strips of fabric to join quilting blocks. These strips can be contrasting to the blocks or using the same fabric. You can add a sashing to your quilt in different ways
7. Free Motion Technique
This is a technique whereby you stitch your designs on the quilt block. As a beginner, you might want to practice on a piece of scrap fabric before sewing the actual quilt. Once you get the hang of it, you will have the freedom to incorporate any design of your choice.
8. Paper Piecing Technique
In this technique, you will have some paper patterns on which you will align the corresponding fabric. Pin each fabric piece on the paper until you get the matching design. Stitch fabric and the paper together, then tear the paper. You will get the exact design template like the one on the paper.
9. Contour Quilting
These quilting techniques for beginners involve making quilt stitches that replicate specific shapes of objects. For instance, a quilt can be made with lines that form a landscape, flowers, sand ripples, etc.
10. Stuffed Quilting Technique
Also known as the trapunto quilting. In this kind of quilt, cotton wadding is stuffed in each of the patterns made on the quilt. The backing of the quilt is made of light materials such as muslin. This stuffing are pushed through the backing and form some raised unique designs.
Final Thought
Quilting has no limitation. It is a good venture for creativity and adventure. You can express anything by using these quilting tips for beginners. If you are looking for some quilting techniques for beginners, then these 10 techniques will help you outshine and have pleasurable moments creating exquisite quilts.
Recommended Readings:
How to Quilt on a Regular Sewing Machine – Tips and Tools You Need
Best Sewing Machine For Quilting – Our 10 top picks in 2022
9 Best Handheld Sewing Machine for Beginners in 2022
Sewing Canvas Guide For Beginners 2022
