Hi friends! I took a few days off last week (I’m not sure if you could tell since what I do for work is what I do for fun LOL!) and decided to try a new hobby. The day after Christmas is my favorite day. We don’t have to go anywhere and the kids are busy with all their new goodies, my hubby has the day off and we all just chill out at home after a busy Christmas and Christmas eve. I dragged my “good” sewing machine down to my studio and set to work on my first quilt:
I took the DIY Quilt Along course from Curious.com (they are have a 50% off every class through January 4th BTW!) and it was so much easier than I thought it would be. I loved that you jump right in and sew and you learn about the tools you need and techniques as you go because I learn by doing, not watching. I did not have all the tools the instructor had but I was still able to make a quilt, I honestly did not think I had it in me:
I enjoyed the first quilt so much that I set to work on another one too! I decided to make a crazy quilt (much more my style) with the scraps. Also both of my girls wanted one so it was perfect!
I happened to have a beautiful batik fabric that I picked up in Boston a year and a half ago in my stash. I used it as a backing, I had just enough excess that I simply pressed the leftover to the front and bound it with that. It came out much better then the binding on the first quilt but to be fair I did not do it exactly as the instructor told me to…I also learn very well from mistakes LOL!
I also experimented with free motion quilting with my regular machine. I put the freed dogs down and lifted the pressure foot and sewed random loops and swirls over some portions of the quilt. I was a bit afraid that I might damage my machine so that was all I did. Then I asked the folks on the Frugal Crafter Community how I should do it and they said I could take the pressure foot off and lower it so the top tension would engage but it was OK the way I did it too. I figured it was better to make a mistake on a small beginner quilt that one I spent weeks on.
If you are interested in learning to quilt and have some basic machine sewing experience I encourage you to check out the DIY Quilt Along course from Curious.com. they also have thousands of other classes to help you with your new years resolutions and they are 50% off now though January 4th! This post is a partnership with Curious.com. I was compensated for my time to take the course but my thoughts and opinions are my own. Happy crafting!
Nice job with the quilts, Lindsay! When free motioning, you should try not to cross any previously stitched area. It’s fun to learn a new craft and you are doing so well. Enjoy!!!
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You did great! I love quilting and I enjoy the crazy quilts and scrap quilts more than traditional pieced or appliqued. Although I do some of those too.
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Hi Lindsay 🙂
I love your quilts; The colours and designs are beautiful.
Questions: Do you have to wash the fabrics before you use them? Do you wash a quilt by hand, or washing machine or dry clean?
Thanks.
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mine are all cotton so in the machine with them:)
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Hi Lindsay 🙂
Thanks!
Take care.
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they turned out very nice Lindsay!! really like that second one 🙂 crazy freestyle for me to baby!!! 🙂 one day i would like to attempt making a quilt too! great job 🙂
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These quilts are beautiful. I love the colors and designs. I’ve never made a quilt, but I admire the people who take the time to make them.. Thanks for the tip about Curious.com
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Wow! I want to learn to quilt – and knit – and lots of other crafts! Good job.
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Love your quilts…
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Nice job, Lindsey. They look very warm and friendly.
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It looks like you did very well for your first attempt. My first quilt was queen size and I took a 4 week class so had more time to work on it. Doesn’t it feel good to finish and have something to show for the hours you spent doing it. Congratulations. Edna
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Like everything else you do, you WOW’d me!!! I have been quilting for many years, my first was a pattern called Attic Windows, which my Mom said it was difficult but she knew I could do it! I learned from her, she encouraged me to take lessons, which I did and have never regretted the experience,so much fun and I made friends for life. Wait til you get hooked, although the fact that you already have a ‘stash’ says it all!!! GO FOR IT!!! Happy New Year, looking forward to seeing all the neat things you have in store!
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Take a look at Malka Dubrowsky`s Improvisational Quilting`I really enjoy doing those…I`m not really a `straight line kinda person so the free hand cutting works well for me…it`s a blast! (I attended Malka`s class on Creative Live, but many video clips made their way onto You Tube
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ps…I like your quilts! they look like FUN!
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Lindsay, the quilts are fabulous – congratulation on a job well done!
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Very nice job, Lindsay! I have made quilts in the past but put that craft aside for paper crafting. This makes me want to get out my machine again. Thanks for the inspiration.
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You are so amazing I was in a quilt club for 10 years and only finished 4 quilts. Your quilts look beautiful. Great job!👏
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You did amazingly i love love love how fun and colourful they are
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like Bob Ross says: “we don’t make mistakes…we make happy accidents.” Sometimes my best come from “happy accidents”.
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They look so cosy. Great job Lindsay! 😀 😀
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Lindsay, these are just yummy! I have sewing goals this year, also. I love watching you work, thank you so much for sharing your considerable talents! Happy New Year, and many wishes for prosperity and health.
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Great job Lindsay!!
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