PATCHWORK
- bonniethomas06
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PATCHWORK
Hi,
I am embarking on a patchwork quilt very shortly, after taking the scissors to my b/f's bag of old work shirts etc.
Does anyone have any tips? As I am completely novice, I have been thinking that I could do smallish squares approx 2 inches square (plus seam allowance) and try a 9 square block with strips in between as a grid?
Most shirts are blues and pinks, may try to find some creamy/pale yellow and pale green fabric at a car boot.
My concern is that my seams will be uneven, leaving the rows all different sizes and the pattern won't match up.
This is a winter project so will be done by hand in front of the TV (or log fire).
Any advice/patterns suitable for beginners gratefully received!
Bonnie
I am embarking on a patchwork quilt very shortly, after taking the scissors to my b/f's bag of old work shirts etc.
Does anyone have any tips? As I am completely novice, I have been thinking that I could do smallish squares approx 2 inches square (plus seam allowance) and try a 9 square block with strips in between as a grid?
Most shirts are blues and pinks, may try to find some creamy/pale yellow and pale green fabric at a car boot.
My concern is that my seams will be uneven, leaving the rows all different sizes and the pattern won't match up.
This is a winter project so will be done by hand in front of the TV (or log fire).
Any advice/patterns suitable for beginners gratefully received!
Bonnie
"A pretty face is fine, but what a farmer needs is a woman who can carry a pig under each arm"
My blog...
http://www.theparttimesmallholder.blogspot.com
My blog...
http://www.theparttimesmallholder.blogspot.com
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- Barbara Good
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Re: PATCHWORK
I'm not terribly experienced (read: I have made about 2 things, totally self taught, so basically know nothing), but I would suggest:
1) Not doing the squares too teeny tiny - I definitely wouldn't go any smaller than 2", unless you want to be stitching until 2020
2) The grid in between isn't that easy
3) I sewed in long rows (i.e made a strip of squares, then sewed it to another strip), which seemed to work quite well, don't know if it's the 'right' way though. It meant that I was able to make sure that at least the vertical seam was one long one, and was able to match up the horizontal ones as I went.
Hope someone who actually knows something comes along soon with more help!
1) Not doing the squares too teeny tiny - I definitely wouldn't go any smaller than 2", unless you want to be stitching until 2020
2) The grid in between isn't that easy
3) I sewed in long rows (i.e made a strip of squares, then sewed it to another strip), which seemed to work quite well, don't know if it's the 'right' way though. It meant that I was able to make sure that at least the vertical seam was one long one, and was able to match up the horizontal ones as I went.
Hope someone who actually knows something comes along soon with more help!
- Green Aura
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Re: PATCHWORK
I am also a complete novice. But I have seen it done and if memory serves a template is used to make each piece the same.
I would make your squares a little bigger for a first attempt - like Islay said, you'll be sewing for ever. I would have thought 4x4 would look great, for half the work!
I would make your squares a little bigger for a first attempt - like Islay said, you'll be sewing for ever. I would have thought 4x4 would look great, for half the work!

Maggie
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
- snapdragon
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Re: PATCHWORK
+1Green Aura wrote:I am also a complete novice. But I have seen it done and if memory serves a template is used to make each piece the same.
I would make your squares a little bigger for a first attempt - like Islay said, you'll be sewing for ever. I would have thought 4x4 would look great, for half the work!
Template is a good idea - and not too small, unless you're quilting place mats
Say what you mean and be who you are, Those who mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind


- bonniethomas06
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- Location: Wiltshire, UK
Re: PATCHWORK
Thanks for the advice. Maybe 2x2 is a litle ambitious. Will go for 4x4 instead.
Just stockpiling material now. Am going to car boot tomorrow and will look out for old curtain mateial/shirts/anything I can cut up for patches.
Just stockpiling material now. Am going to car boot tomorrow and will look out for old curtain mateial/shirts/anything I can cut up for patches.
"A pretty face is fine, but what a farmer needs is a woman who can carry a pig under each arm"
My blog...
http://www.theparttimesmallholder.blogspot.com
My blog...
http://www.theparttimesmallholder.blogspot.com
- SarahJane
- Living the good life
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Re: PATCHWORK
I started my first patxhwork quilt at the age of 14.........
I eventually finished it about 4 years later!!! But it looked great and is still in circulation today and I am 44!
I found it very therapautic.
I found that I kept a few different pieces on the go at once, so that when I ran out of a particular fabric it didnt show. By having a few different pieces on the go when I finally put them all together, it looked even, (colours/fabrics/paterns)
I think I used a hexagon template (it was a long tme ago!!!) about 3in approx.
Enjoy! xxx
I eventually finished it about 4 years later!!! But it looked great and is still in circulation today and I am 44!
I found it very therapautic.
I found that I kept a few different pieces on the go at once, so that when I ran out of a particular fabric it didnt show. By having a few different pieces on the go when I finally put them all together, it looked even, (colours/fabrics/paterns)
I think I used a hexagon template (it was a long tme ago!!!) about 3in approx.
Enjoy! xxx

- Thomzo
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Re: PATCHWORK
Arrrrgh. I was going to post pics of the patchwork quilt that I've just completed but for some reason I can't work out how to do it. My quilt is all blue and white with blocks of nine four inch squares surrounded by a white grid with small dark blue squares at each corner.
Anyway, here are a few tips.
Think about the fabrics you are using. If they are different thicknesses they will be hard to match up evenly. If they are different types of fabric they might pull or stretch differently when washed. Cotton is best but pure cotton is difficult to get hold of.
Wash everything before you use it in case it shrinks afterwards. Even second hand clothes can still shrink or the colour could run once the quilt is made up which would be a disaster.
A paper template is a must. If you aren't very confident, tack the material to the paper before sewing patches together. Old bank statements and utility bills make excellent templates.
Think about the size you want the finished article, then work out how big your patches need to be. Although you can make up the size with a border, it will look odd if the border is a different width at the top/bottom to the sides.
I chose only blues and whites for my quilt. I made up the nine-patch blocks so that each block was symmetrical. Once they were all done, I laid them out so that I was happy with the overall pattern. Try to roughly plan out the colours before you start sewing. A bit of squared paper and some coloured pencils can help with this (unless you are clever with the pooter of course).
Iron each square as you prepare it so that you get a nice, crisp fold to sew. This will help you to get nice even, straight seems.
What are you going to back it with? Check how wide the wadding is, you'll kick yourself if you need an extra strip half an inch wide. Also, find the backing fabric, I bought an old sheet from a charity shop for £2 and it's perfect.
It really is a lovely project to do by the fire in winter so have a great time. Once started on patchwork you will be hooked.
Enjoy
Zoe
Anyway, here are a few tips.
Think about the fabrics you are using. If they are different thicknesses they will be hard to match up evenly. If they are different types of fabric they might pull or stretch differently when washed. Cotton is best but pure cotton is difficult to get hold of.
Wash everything before you use it in case it shrinks afterwards. Even second hand clothes can still shrink or the colour could run once the quilt is made up which would be a disaster.
A paper template is a must. If you aren't very confident, tack the material to the paper before sewing patches together. Old bank statements and utility bills make excellent templates.
Think about the size you want the finished article, then work out how big your patches need to be. Although you can make up the size with a border, it will look odd if the border is a different width at the top/bottom to the sides.
I chose only blues and whites for my quilt. I made up the nine-patch blocks so that each block was symmetrical. Once they were all done, I laid them out so that I was happy with the overall pattern. Try to roughly plan out the colours before you start sewing. A bit of squared paper and some coloured pencils can help with this (unless you are clever with the pooter of course).
Iron each square as you prepare it so that you get a nice, crisp fold to sew. This will help you to get nice even, straight seems.
What are you going to back it with? Check how wide the wadding is, you'll kick yourself if you need an extra strip half an inch wide. Also, find the backing fabric, I bought an old sheet from a charity shop for £2 and it's perfect.
It really is a lovely project to do by the fire in winter so have a great time. Once started on patchwork you will be hooked.
Enjoy
Zoe
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Re: PATCHWORK
As a confirmed Patchworker, I would suggest you use hexagons for your first project. It's MUCH easier to get the corners right.
I would also suggest you make something smaller, like a cushion cover, as your first project. You can learn a great deal that way. If you are anything like me you'll also make a few mistakes, better they be on a small cushion cover than half way through a quilt!
I agree with Thomzo; wash and iron all your fabric before you start. Only use the good bits of the old shirts. It's really hard to replace one patch if it starts to disintegrate, (because you used a worn bit), once the project is finished.
Stick to one type of fabric. Mixing types of fabric is fine for items that won't require washing, but it's a nightmare in a quilt. (Guess who made that mistake!)
Look in your local library for books on the subject. Many have templates you can trace and then make for yourself. I use a template I made myself like this, them copied onto the side of a 4pt milk carton & cut with a craft knife. As it gets tatty I make a new one.
MW
I would also suggest you make something smaller, like a cushion cover, as your first project. You can learn a great deal that way. If you are anything like me you'll also make a few mistakes, better they be on a small cushion cover than half way through a quilt!
I agree with Thomzo; wash and iron all your fabric before you start. Only use the good bits of the old shirts. It's really hard to replace one patch if it starts to disintegrate, (because you used a worn bit), once the project is finished.
Stick to one type of fabric. Mixing types of fabric is fine for items that won't require washing, but it's a nightmare in a quilt. (Guess who made that mistake!)
Look in your local library for books on the subject. Many have templates you can trace and then make for yourself. I use a template I made myself like this, them copied onto the side of a 4pt milk carton & cut with a craft knife. As it gets tatty I make a new one.
MW
If it isn't a Greyhound, it's just a dog!
- bonniethomas06
- A selfsufficientish Regular
- Posts: 1246
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:24 am
- Location: Wiltshire, UK
Re: PATCHWORK
Wow, thanks, great advice.
Have already cut the squares (I thought hexagons would have been harder - but will try this next) but can stick them into the washing machine and iron folds in them before I start.
Will keep you posted!
Have already cut the squares (I thought hexagons would have been harder - but will try this next) but can stick them into the washing machine and iron folds in them before I start.
Will keep you posted!
"A pretty face is fine, but what a farmer needs is a woman who can carry a pig under each arm"
My blog...
http://www.theparttimesmallholder.blogspot.com
My blog...
http://www.theparttimesmallholder.blogspot.com