CreativeArtsCraftsHobbies

When the average person thinks of stencils, the word probably brings to mind early American style painted floor cloths, or stenciled walls.  Stencils enjoyed a great resurgence in style in the 1980’s as everyone went mad for the country look.   However, when a quilter thinks of stencils, a very different use comes to mind.  The crafter,  unfamiliar with the use of stencils in quilting, may be quite perplexed as to how they are used.  After all, when you look at a quilt, there’s no evidence that anything to do with stenciling in the traditional sense has occurred!

However, stencils are actually very useful in the art of quilting and advances in technology are quickly making them a must-have tool.  Quilting stencils are very similar to stencils for paint, and often look about the same.  They are most often made from a sturdy plastic, with holes punched in it for the design.   However, while painting stencils are used to create decorative elements, quilting stencils are used to lay down a pattern to follow when stitching.  The use of quilting stencils allows quilters to reproduce elaborate patterns on their quilt tops.  With quilting stencils, you have an easy way to transfer and then follow a stitching design.  You don’t need to worry if you feel you can’t draw.  With quilting stencils,  the drawing has all been done and all you have to do is follow someone else’s design.

Many companies offer quilting stencils and the supplies you’ll need to go with them.  You’ll find designs ranging from traditional florals and fans to very contemporary styles.  Take a look around some of the quilting sites on the internet or visit your local quilting store to get an idea of how many stencils await you.

Quilting stencils are easy to use.  To transfer the design you can use chalk or stitching or water-soluble pens.  (It is very important that you test the water soluble pen with your fabric before using it with a stencil-you don’t want it to ruin your beautiful pieced quilt top!)  All you have to do is lay the quilting stencil atop your fabric and trace the pattern.  Voila!  You now have a stitching pattern to follow without a lot of muss and fuss.  After all, most quilters prefer to spend their time designing,  piecing a quilt top,  or doing the actual quilting,  not messing around with pattern transfers.   A simple rule of thumb is to choose a design about a half an inch to an inch smaller than your block,  so that the resulting pattern doesn’t look crowded.  You can also take one of the smaller stencils and repeat the design by laying it down in a pattern on your fabric.

Quilting stencils are one of the most useful advances in notions for the home crafter.  The average quilter of yesteryear would be amazed to view all the notions and supplies that are now available for the home crafter.  Why not take advantage of these advances yourself?  Quilting stencils are a great time-saver.

Shady Lane Quilt

If the quilting bug has bitten you,  you may be confused about what exactly you will need in the way of supplies for your new craft. A huge part of the fun of starting a new hobby is learning about what kinds of supplies you will need to accomplish it.   There’s something so satisfying about working with tools and supplies.   While the craft of quilting doesn’t technically require much more than a good sewing machine, needles, thread and scissors,  there are so many wonderful supplies on the market that will make quilting easier and much more enjoyable.

#1 Sewing Machine
Start with a sewing machine, the most basic of your supplies.  Though it is technically possible to sew a quilt without a machine, and some people still prefer to do it, most busy crafters today like to use a machine.  You’ll want to at least use it for piecing together the blocks for the quilt top, and after that you can choose to do the actual quilting by hand or machine.   But most quilters would agree that the sewing machine is the most essential of your supplies, and so the soundest advice is to buy the best you can afford.  There are many wonderful brands such as Bernina, Pfaff, Janome, and Husqvarna Viking, to name a few.  Bear in mind that most quilters only need a machine to sew a straight line, so you don’t need to worry about buying one with a lot of fancy stitches.

Singer 7412 Electronic Sewing Machine

#2 Cutting Tools
Next on any quilter’s list of supplies is a cutting tool.  Plain old fashioned scissors are good, and you’ll need a pair dedicated to fabric and one for paper only (paper dulls scissors very quickly).  However, as a quilter your new best friend is sure to be a rotary cutter and mat.  A rotary cutter is a much more efficient tool than the scissors you may be used to, and you can also cut pieces for quilt blocks in volume with it.  You’ll need a rotary mat to protect the surface you are working on.  Don’t make the mistake of putting a rotary cutter and mat at the bottom of your list of essential supplies-they will make your life easier and your new hobby much more pleasurable.

Fons & Porter Rotary Cutter 45mm

Fons & Porter Rotary Cutting Ruler-8”X14″”084726″

#3 Fabric, Thread,  Pins, Needles, and Seam Ripper
You’ll need fabric, of course, and most quilters swear by 100 per cent cotton fabric.  The array of color and pattern that cotton fabric comes in is truly staggering.  You’ll also want to put thread on your list of supplies.  Cotton thread is good, with a high luster and long-lasting strength.  You’ll need pins for a variety of reasons.  Pins seem to be one of those notions that quilters have very specific preferences for-you might prefer good old fashioned straight pins made of all steel, or T-pins, or pins with the brightly colored heads.  Why not put a variety on your shopping list of supplies and experiment with which ones you like best?  You’ll also need needles and a seam ripper.

Fons & Porter Ergonomic Seam Ripper

Fons & Porter Quilters’ Flat Head Pins-Beige

#4 Bulletin or Idea Board
Many quilters also consider a bulletin or idea board as an essential.  This can be placed near where your sewing machine is set up and used as a place to pin swatches, arrange fabrics in potential color combinations, and post ideas torn from magazines.

Start your list of essential supplies today, and you’ll be a happy quilter.

CLICK BELOW FOR A GORGEOUS ASSORTMENT OF QUILTING FABRIC!

QUILTING FABRIC AT JOANN.COM

When many people hear the word quilt, they may think of many colorful blocks or patches created from old clothes sewn together to form a large rectangular blanket.   Pieced patchwork is actually  much, much more complicated.  Pieced patchwork is made from fabric scraps that are cut into regular shapes and then sewn together in geometric patterns to form blocks. The pieces may be joined by hand or machine.   Machine stitching is quicker and more durable but hand stitching is traditional.

Creating an accurate template will allow a quilter to make patches identical in shape and size, and which will fit perfectly together.  Templates may be made or purchased. To make a cardboard template, transfer the design on to squared paper and cut it out with sharp scissors.  Glue the cutout to a piece of cardboard.  Be sure to include a seam allowance.  Cut out the cardboard template and protect the paper seam allowance by coating it with a thin layer of clear nail varnish or polish.  Always make new templates for each shape required in a project.

To make a plastic template, place the clear plastic over the design and draw around each shape.  Draw a seam allowance around each shape and cut out.

Once you have created a template,   place it on the fabric, lining up one straight edge with the grain of the fabric. Draw around it with a quilter’s pencil or tailor’s chalk.  To create several patches at once, fold the fabric in several layers – accordion style.   Staple the template to the layers and cut out the pieces,  preferably using a rotary cutter and a cutting mat.

Tumbling Blocks Quilt

If you are using backing papers or iron-on interfacing,  they may be attached now.

To join the patches and form the patchwork,  first lay them out and make sure you are happy with the design.   Once you are satisfied,  you may begin piecing.   Hand piecing requires the patches to be placed right sides together and pinned.  Pin each corner first   Join each patch with a small whipstitch,  inserting the needle in one corner and working across to the other.   Remove the pins as you go.

If you are machine piecing your patchwork,  you may join several pairs of patches at a time by using the flag method.  Pin the patches right sides together in pairs.  Machine stitch along the seam line using the foot as a guide.   Leave s short uncut thread between the pairs.  Cut each into units.  Join enough pairs to make one patched piece.  Remember to press the patch seams flat to one side to avoid bulk  Do not press them open.

Once your patchwork quilt top has been completed, layer it together with batting in the middle and backing fabric on the back.  Baste the layers and quilt as desired.  If you are quilting straight lines and using a machine,  a quilting foot made for this purpose is available.   For free-form quilting, remove the foot completely and lower the foot lever.   Use your hands or a hoop to stretch the fabric taut, and stitch slowly.

Check out this book:
The Patchwork Easy as Method. Fantastic* How To Make A Stunning Patchwork Quilt Using The EasyAs Method. Terrific Bonuses Worth $497 Included. Quilters Love This.
CLICK HERE! OR ON THE IMAGE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EBOOK AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU! (56 day money back guarantee!)

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE VAST ASSORTMENT OF FABRIC AND OTHER SUPPLIES ONLINE AT: