A Beginner's Guide to Quilting

Quilting is a form of needlework and textile art in which two or more layers of fabric are stitched together, typically with threads that form a pattern or picture. The word quilt derives from the Latin cudere, meaning "to beat" or "to hammer".

What is Quilting?

Quilting is a textile art form that involves sewing together layers of fabric to create a three-dimensional object. The word quilt is derived from the Latin "culla" meaning "a cushion". Quilting can be done by hand or machine.

To see a list of all of the wonderful quilting machines we carry, click here.

How to Quilt

Quilting is a great way to use up scraps of fabric and create something beautiful. It's also a great way to put your sewing skills to use. You can make anything from a small quilt for your bed to a large quilt for your living room. Quilts are also a great way to recycle old clothes, blankets, or sheets that are no longer being used. Quilts can be made with any type of fabric, but some fabrics are better for certain types of quilts. For example, if you want to make a baby quilt, you should use soft fabrics like cotton or flannel. If you want to make a quilt for the outdoors, you should use fabrics like wool or polyester that resist wearing and tearing.

How to Finish a Quilt

When quilting, start with a 1/4" seam allowance. This will allow you to trim the excess fabric off the edge of the quilt later. Press the seams open and then trim them. You can use a rotary cutter and mat or a ruler and scissors. If you are using a rotary cutter, it is important to remember that you need to cut through two layers of fabric. If you are using scissors, it is important to keep your fingers tucked in so that your fingers don't get in the way of the blade. Trim close to the stitching but not all the way up to it. This will allow you to hand sew the edge of the quilt without having to worry about getting stitches caught on the seam ripper.

The Basic Tools of Quilting

A few basic tools will help you get started in quilting. You will need:

• sewing machine
• cutting mat
• rotary cutter
• ruler
• seam ripper
• pins
• needles
• scissors
• thread
• LAST, BUT NOT LEAST - FABRIC - DUH! 😄

What makes long arm quilting different?

Long arm quilting is different from traditional quilting because the machine is on a frame that is not attached to the floor, so it can move in all directions. The quilter sits at the machine and uses a foot pedal to control the height of the needle. The machine also has a computerized interface that allows the quilter to have precise control over the speed and feed of the sewing. There are also attachments for embroidery, appliqué, and other decorative techniques.

To see a list of our Long Arm Machines, click here.

If you're interested to learn more about Long Arm Quilting, give us a call (719-596-1165) and ask about our Long Arm Certification Program which enables you to rent time on our floor model machine. You’ll learn a useful skill, and the money you save could be enormous compared to sending your quilts out for another individual to finish!