Frequently Ascked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

If you have other questions not answered here, please feel free to fax, phone or email me and I will be happy to try to answer your queries.

Can I make a quilt when I don't know how to sew?

YES! I know many women who don't sew but make beautiful quilts, in fact some of my pupils had never held a needle until patchwork classes. Just as in any craft there are a few basics to be understood.

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How do I make templates if I don't have templastic?

It is possible to make accurate templates using carbon paper and fairly strong cardboard. However, its worth remembering that if the pattern piece is to be used many times cardboard will eventually become soft on the points.

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Which way should the pieces be cut, straight grain or bias?

This varies, depending where the piece is in the overall block. If it is an outside piece, then the edge that will form part of the edge of the block should be on the straight grain. This will help to hold the shape of the block. If it is an internal piece the straight grain is not so important. However, one principle I like to use is to sew a bias seam to a straight grain seam. This will help to avoid stretching while sewing, and hopefully avoid a "bubble" in the middle of the block.

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What is the meant by straight grain?

When looking at fabric, it is possible to see the lines of the weave, the treads used to create the fabric. The straight grain is when the lines look vertical and horizontal. The fabric will not stretch when gently pulled in the direction of the weave. However, if the fabric is turned 45 degrees, the weaving threads are now diagonal, called bias, and if gently tugged the fabric will stretch.

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Must I really use those tiny needles?

When I first began quilting I would have said yes, but I once had a lady in a class who had a great deal of trouble holding the tiny needle, so she used a normal sized needle and achieved an excellent finished product. So like many rules, this one can also be bent without causing grief.

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How accurate do I need to be when marking my fabric?

As accurate as you can possibly be. It is the marking that will determine if the overall pattern is accurate. If sewing by hand, the marking line is the sewing line. That is the template does not have the seam allowance added, so any corners must be marked carefully. Machine pieced quilts have the seam allowance added to the pattern and then the machine foot becomes the seam guide.

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How do I mark quilting lines on the quilt?

Pre-cut stencils make the process very easy, but if you don't have stencils, copy the drawing eith by hand or using a photocopier. Mark the lines with a black marking pen and lay the fabric over the pattern, the lines will show through the fabric. Sometimes it is necessary to place white paper on the table first, then the quilting pattern and then the quilt top. Care must be taken that the quilt fabric does not shift whilst marking.

Another method I have used is to lay bridal tuille over the quilting pattern, mark the pattern with the marking pen, then pin the tuille in place on the quilt top and mark with a HB pencil, or a water soluble marking pen. The pattern will come with little dotted lines.

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How do I mark dark fabric?

A light box is the ideal, but most of ust don't have a light box. It is possible to stick the paper quilting pattern on to a window, stick the quilt over and then the quilting lines will show through. However, I have found this awkward as the quilt top is usually quite heavy, so I make my own stencil using either cardboard or light plastic sheets and a an artist's scalpel. It is necessary to remember to leave little areas uncut to hold the whole design together.

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