A quilt can be fun to sew. Yes, it can be time-consuming, but the results will be satisfying. You can use all different colors and prints and be as creative as you want. In this article, we will show you how to sew a quilt.

The Tools You Need

It is very important when making a quilt to have a good cutting tool. This is necessary because you will need to cut many individual squares of material that have to be the same size. A rotary cutter is better than scissors as it is accurate and it is quicker to use than scissors. It is important to remember that you could easily scratch your table if you use a rotary cutter so get a cutting board. Some come with a ruler on the top which is very useful. 

You could also use a transparent ruler for cutting the squares. You will be able to put the fabric in-between the cutting mat and the ruler. You should get perfect sizes in this way. 

When it comes to thread, purchase an expensive one as cheaper thread can easily break while sewing and even after when your quilt is lying on your bed. 

When it comes to the material, it is best to choose either cotton, polyester, or a blend of cotton and polyester. You will need to choose a few different fabrics for the front of the quilt and just one for the back. 

You will also need to get batting which is the padding for the inside of the quilt. Batting comes in a variety of materials including polyester, cotton, bamboo, and a cotton blend. It also comes in different thicknesses so it is up to you to decide how warm you want the quilt to be. Both the back and the batting need to be a little longer than the front of the quilt. 

Other things you will need include a sewing machine, safety pins, pins, and an iron. You can sew a quilt by hand but it takes much longer. An iron is needed for pressing at various points of the procedure. You could use a pattern, but it’s not necessary because you will just be cutting squares of the same size.

Preparing Your Quilt for Sewing

It is a good idea to wash your fabrics as they could shrink after the quilt has been made. It is also a good opportunity to remove extra dye from the material. Once you have done this and dried the different fabrics, give them a press to take out any wrinkles. You don’t need to iron the batting. 

Decide how large or small you want your squares to be and add ¼ inch seam allowance. Then it is time to cut the pieces. Using your cutting board and a ruler, cut out each piece to the same size. When you have done this, lay out all the pieces on the floor and put the pieces into rows in the pattern you want. Working from left to right, stack the pieces on top of each other.

How to Sew the Quilt

Sew each row separately. Take two squares and pin them together, printed side down. Using your sewing machine start sewing together with a straight stitch. Carry on in this way until you have sewn a row and then do the same with the other rows. 

When you have done this you will have long, thin strips of fabric with seams standing up on the back of the fabric. You need to press these down in opposite directions. For example, sew the first row to the left and then the second row to the right. Turn two rows towards each other with the prints facing each other. Sew the rows together with a straight stitch on your sewing machine.

Don’t forget the ¼ inch seam allowance. Repeat this process until all the rows are joined together. Turn the quilt over so that you see the back of it. Press down the seams, one row to the left and the next to the right until it’s all been done.

Cut your batting and the back of the quilt. You will need to cut both about two or three inches longer and wider than the front of the quilt.

Put the Quilt Together

The next step is to baste the three pieces of fabric together. You can either use safety pins to do this or spray-on basting adhesive. If you are pinning them, put the safety pins in the center of each square. If you are using adhesive, lightly spray each layer. You will need to spray the back first and then place the batting on top and spray this. Finally, put the top of the quilt on the batting.  

Sew the three layers together using a straight stitch. Start in the center of the quilt and sew towards the edges. This stops the quilt from bunching up in the middle. You should sew where you have already created seams. Use a washable sewing pen to mark the fabric to make sure that you are sewing in the right place. 

Next, you have to add the border fabric which goes all the way around the quilt on the edges. This makes your edges secure and looks attractive. Cut four pieces of binding. They need to fit the length of the quilt on each side. The width should be 2 ½ inches.

Make sure that the binding is flat. Press it if it isn’t. Then fold it in half and press again. Put in pins to secure it. Sew along the front of the quilt first using a ½ inch seam. It must meet the edge. Once you have sewn all four sides turn the quilt over. You can then sew the binding on the other side. You can press it if it is sticking up. To make sure that the stitches don’t show on the top of the quilt, use invisible thread or hand sew with either a whipstitch or a ladder stitch.

Conclusion

Yes, sewing a quilt can be time-consuming, but in the end, you will have a beautiful quilt that can be handed down through the generations.