I used to imagine that quilting was the perfect craft for me. After all, I love sewing and graphic design and quilting seems like the perfect combination of the two. I even took a quilting class about 10 years ago. It was a great way to get started and learn the basics. I also love that quilting can use little bits of fabric that might otherwise be thrown away. And over the years I've saved a lot of fabric with that purpose in mind. And now finally I've used some of those fabric scraps!
UPDATE 2021: My e-course Improvisational Quilting for Garment Sewists is now live and available for purchase in the shop. This is a self paced and comprehensive course that teaches you everything you need to know to learn how to turn your fabric scraps into useful and unique improvisational quilts. You can learn more about it here.
A year or more ago, I organized the scraps into color groups blues, black, white, prints, etc. And a year ago I started making a quilt with the blue fabrics. My method was completely improvised. I just picked up a piece of fabric found another that was a similar size and stitch them together. I'd then keep adding pieces in a row, occasionally stopping to press or trim. I created a bunch of "blocks" and somehow formed them into a quilt top. I took my larger scraps and formed those into a quilt backing. Then I stuck the whole thing in the closet for a year.
And around the beginning of this year I decided it was time to finish the blasted thing. So I pulled it out of the closet, gave it a good pressing, sandwiched the layers, pinned it together and started quilting. Like the piecing, I went with an improvisational method of quilting. I started out mostly stitching near a seam line but then got a little more creative (and had more fun) stitching overlapping zig zag patterns. My stitching is not even or straight but that's ok. Heck! I finally used up those scraps!!! And now I have a cozy quilt to keep me warm! Or just point to and say, Yeah, I made that.
The big thing I learned about quilting (this is the biggest one I've done) is that it's hard on the body. In garment sewing, there's a lot more moving about. Stitch a seam. Press it. Pin another seam. Stitch it. I usually try to do as many seams as possible before moving to the ironing board but boy I never realized how much my neck and back could hurt from just sitting at the machine.
In the future, if I have a more precious quilt I will definitely look into having someone do long arm quilting for me. For this project, I just used my regular machine fitted with a walking foot and an extension table.
Yesterday I stopped by Quiltcon West to see the exhibits. I unexpectedly had the day off work and the convention was very close to where I live so I just popped over for a couple of hours and I’m so glad that I did. I started by going to the exhibition hall and I was almost immediately overwhelmed by the abundance of amazing quilts. It was so inspiring that I’m almost at a loss for words. It made me want to continue making quilts and experimenting. Of course, I will continue to make garments but there’s a time and place for quilts too. I’m pretty confident in my piecing skills but my quilting needs a little practice. Or the help of a long arm quilter. :)
I still have a bin in the closet with about five different quilts to be made or completed. I hope that the success of this project will help inspire to actually finish some of those. I have a quilt top I made about 10 years ago when I took that class that just needs a backing, quilting and binding. I bought batting for it last weekend. So. Baby steps. Next up the back! Maybe in another year I'll have one more quilt finished.
Via an article on Kollabora I stumbled upon this program for donating small quilts to animal shelters. I really love this idea. I'm adopting a kitten soon so animals are particularly on my mind. I'd love to be able to use my skills to help out and also use some supplies that I have just sitting around. Have you ever sewn for charity?
UPDATE 2021: My e-course Improvisational Quilting for Garment Sewists is now live and available for purchase in the shop. This is a self paced and comprehensive course that teaches you everything you need to know to learn how to turn your fabric scraps into useful and unique improvisational quilts. You can learn more about it here.
