My Sister's Birthday Quilt

While I was home for Spring Break, my mom and I purchased new fabric and spent the week making a quilt for my sister's birthday today. When I left on Friday, all that was left to do was sewing the binding to the back of the quilt. My first quilt took me about a month to finish; and my second has taken me less than a week. I am truly addicted :)

Adding the Final Touch: Binding

During my last lesson with Gloria, she taught me how to add my final touch: the binding. We cut two and a half inch strips of a black and white polka-dotted fabric. That night, I spent a few hours of quality time with my TV and a needle and black thread, sewing the binding to my quilt. And finally, around 12:30am this morning, my first quilt was completed. I feel so accomplished and proud of myself that I just want to show the world what I've done.

And I'm already planning for my next projects. In addition to the binding, during my last lesson, Gloria and I also discussed a bag pattern I'm interested in. She took me throughout the store and introduced me to many different types of fabrics that could work. In addition, we also went over the final touches to a pillow I'm sewing for my mom's quilt chest.

As you can tell, quilting has only been the beginning of my sewing experiences. I'm going home next week for Spring Break and I can't wait to spend some more quality time working on new projects. Gloria has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me and I could not thank her more.

Pinning the Layers

Tonight, I had my first safety-pinning experience with my quilt. Gloria had warned me that I should have a friend assist me with this process, but of course, being Ms. Independent that I am, I didn't listen. It honestly wasn't too bad once I got everything straightened out between the three layers, and this was no easy task with my small dining room table. I had to go along and make sure the backing was placed correctly, matching up with the front and batting as best I could. I'm a little nervous though because it didn't seem as bad as I thought it would be. Of course, I'm expecting the worse because I'm worried about the material slipping so I placed tons of safety pins through the materials. Sorry Gloria in advance if I did this step incorrectly and you'll be helping me remove them all tomorrow :-\

However, like this entire process, it was a nice experience. Within the past week or so, its seemed as the quilt it making itself. Its coming together so quickly. I almost hate to see it end. So that's why I've already started a second one :)

Purchasing the Batting and Backing

I was super eager to come to my lesson today because I knew now that my borders were attached, Gloria and I would move to the new step: the batting. We've been working on making sure my seams were good and strong for the past couple lessons, so today would be something totally new and exciting. Although I was a little nervous at first, I was eager too because this step is officially beginning the quilting process. Quilting is technically the term of putting the multiple layers together, creating the quilt as a whole.

So once we confirmed that my quilt top had passed inspection and was ready to move forward, we went to the batting section of Ragtime Fabrics. Batting is the material that put in between the quilt top and the backing. It is what gives your quilt that little extra "umph". There were three different types of batting: organic, cotton, and loft. Organic follows the same principles as most organic products. Cotton is a little heavier, but much warmer. And loft, which is a high loft and low loft. The high loft is known for creating that "poofy" appearance. Being the cold-natured person that I am, I chose cotton.

Afterwards, I chose my backing (the fabric to go on the back of my quilt) as the same tie-dye fabric that I used as one of my blocks on the front.

Adding Borders

Now that the piecing part is completed, Gloria and I decided to take the quilt-top one step further. Although the pattern didn't call for them in this particular quilt, borders are a common attribute to quilt. You'll often notice them surrounding the main section, sometimes making the quilt significantly larger. By using the left over yellow and green fabric I had, we created strips to surround the outside of the main body of the quilt. This process did require a little more thought and a hint of math to figure out the dimensions of the quilt so that we would know how long each border would need to be.

The only struggle I truly ran into was connecting the corners. It was a little tricky, but after trial and error, I was able to figure out. With Gloria's help, of course :). But because of the borders, it added a good inch or two to the measurement of the quilt. Not a whole lot of difference in measurement, but a huge change in appearance, wouldn't you say?

Completing the Piecing

Now that I have my own machine, I am able to work on the quilt much more from home. I've been able to finish piecing the quilt together. Although I was afraid this process would be difficult, it was simply a matter of laying out my "coupled patches" and sewing two pair of "coupled patches" together. Once that process made one row, I would repeat these steps to create a second row, and then sew one row to the another. I suppose in my mind, I thought I would be sewing one block to another to another until the entire quilt top was completed. This method is MUCH simpler and easier to manage.

It's funny how our minds can make such a simple process complicated just because we choose to see it as complicated. I will be the first to admit that I would have never in a thousand years imagined myself quilting. But look at me now :)

Testing Out the New Machine

Today, Gloria and I tested out my new sewing machine. She was able to explain all the parts and pieces that came along with it and their purposes. I'm very pleased with it, especially now that I understand all that it can do. We even tested out the button hole foot. Its the presser foot that would create a button hole, according to the size of a button. It was interesting to see how intelligent today's sewing machines are. I can't imagine attempting to do such a task years ago before technology was so advanced.

Now that I have my own machine, I'm eager to work at home on my quilt and progress at a quicker pace. I find it very exciting but relaxing at the same time. These lessons with Gloria have truly allowed me to become more comfortable with not only quilting, but sewing as well. In the beginning, it was a little stressful because it was new and unfamiliar. But now, its become my nightly enjoyment. I look forward to it everyday.

My Birthday Came Early this Year

Remember how I mentioned in a previous post that my mom was also learning how to sew, particularly quilting? Like me, my mom tends to set her mind to something and will stop at nothing to make sure she completes her task. Little did I know that also meant her purchasing my birthday present early this year. To assist me in my progress of learning to sew, my mom recently purchased a sewing machine for me. She purchased a "Kenmore Drop-In Bobbin Sewing Machine" and before this occasion, I had no idea Kenmore even made sewing machines. But I am absolutely in love with mine. It has all the settings I need and more. It allows me to make small changes to the machine's settings, such as moving my needle to the far left of the presser foot when quilting. These changes may seem minor, but its a comfort to me because its a simple step I learned that makes sewing my quilt top much easier. Also, another great feature is the speed control. A lot of adding and removing pins goes into making a quilt top, and with the speed control, I can start and stop the machine with no problems. The machine is extremely easy to use and is a wonderful addition to any novice sewer's supply collection.

The First Rows

Today, I hit a milestone in my quilt top. I reached the point of sewing my blocks together, creating my very first rows. Its a wonderful feeling, knowing that all the little things are finally coming together. Each step is beginning to make more sense, the further into the process I learn. Each step is also becoming easier.

Like with most things, repetition makes anything easier. The first time you do something, it may make you feel a little uncomfortable or unsure. But after the second, third, or even fourth time, you complete that same step, you begin to have more confidence in yourself. And that's exactly what has begun to happen to me. I feel more and more confident every time I set down at the sewing machine. And I've only been sewing for a week! I assure you if I can do it, anyone can. I've learned like most things in life, with a little motivation and dedication, I can achieve anything.

My Pinning Experience

Tonight, I quickly learned the importance of pinning fabric. I'm at that stage in making my quilt top that I'm pinning my blocks together to sew. Thank goodness for Gloria. Today, she had an ah-ha! moment and discovered that we needed to keep our pattern in mind as far as which colors are facing each other.

So, tonight I brought my blocks home and set down with my new flower head pins and began pinning. It doesn't sound like a difficult process, does it? Pin fabric together, no big deal, right? Well, I thought that too, until I began. It took me about an hour, but granted, I did have twenty-four blocks and I'm a little obsessive/compulsive, making sure each block looked the exact same. Confirming all seams were faced the right direction. I've developed a new sense of perfection ever since I've began making this quilt top. I find it challenging but very rewarding. This pinning experience has taught me to double check all my steps, but I know in the end, its my quilt and I can make it whatever I want. Quilting and sewing gives me a new sense of freedom. I know that in the end all that matters is that I feel good about what I've accomplished :)

Building the First Blocks

Yesterday was my first sewing lesson with Gloria. I was a little nervous at first, especially with all the cutting and measuring. But once I practiced a few times going through the motions, it wasn't really that difficult.

We began by looking at my pattern and seeing how big each block needed to be. The first block was made up of one single fabric and the second block was made up of two separate fabrics. In order to create these blocks, I learned how to use a rotary cutter and several different types of rulers and guides. These rulers are important for measuring the fabrics, while the guides helped to hold the fabric in place while I cut. Once we had our blocks of fabric cut, we went to the sewing machine to put them together. I learned how to thread my bobbin and thread my machine. The beginning steps, like the bobbin, seemed to be the ones that always catches me off guard. I took extensive notes throughout the lesson, but I still think little things with the sewing machine will be the most challenging. Not necessarily the sewing, but learning the physical aspects of the machine.

I quickly learned that ironing is a huge part of quilting, and of sewing, as well. After I would sew two pieces of fabric together to create half a block, I would then need to iron it to strength the crises.

Every step had a reason and a purpose. And with enough practice, I'm starting to think I could soon be quilting on my own. I definitely don't feel ready for that much independence yet, but I'm beginning to feel more comfortable with those endless possibilities of sewing projects. I'm even beginning to consider buying a sewing machine. But I'll start with a rotary cutter for now. :)

Picking My Project

This past Tuesday, I went to Ragtime Fabrics to schedule my first sewing lesson. Possible projects are endless, of course, but as a beginner, I knew I didn't want to choose something that would go up and over my head. Also, if you can relate, I'm much more likely to soak up information that I'm interested in versus something I'm not. Naturally, I needed to choose something that I could relate to.

I sat with Gloria and we discussed my previous sewing experiences, which consist of playing around on my mom's sewing machine. Obviously, nothing complicated or even valuable. Needless to say, I don't know how to sew a button on a shirt. I'm so clueless recently I asked my friend Kara to sew up the holes in my wool coat. Overall, I am in desperate need of this valuable knowledge. So I am a beginner. Although I have no prior experience, I am eager to learn and most of all passionate.

Well, after talking with Gloria, we both decided the perfect project to begin with would be a lap quilt. Mostly because recently, my mom has become interested in quilting and is dying to learn. And like me, she's afraid of learning the process. She's been so eager to learn, that's she gone out and bought tons of books and supplies. And like I said, she has her own machine; she just doesn't know how to make that first cut. Therefore, my inspiration for this lap quilt is not only to teach myself, but to help my mom fulfill her dream of learning to sew as well.

Once we figured out what my project was, I picked a pattern from a quilting book my mom had let me borrow. The book is called "First-Time Quiltmaking: Learning To Quilt in Six Easy Lessons". Well, as you've learned already, I don't have a lot of faith in myself, particularly with something new, so I suggested to Gloria that we start with a very simple pattern - a single-patch quilt. Gloria reassured me that all the other patterns in this book were beginner level and that I shouldn't feel limited to just one or two fabrics. Well, when it came to picking out my fabrics and I couldn't choose less than three different fabrics, Gloria reassured me that I didn't have to choose. One of the other patterns was called a four-patch quilt, where I could use all three fabrics. Of course you can imagine how absolutely excited I was not only learning, but that I didn't have to choose! Particularly with fabric, I find it so difficult to choose between the hundreds of fabrics available, especially offered in this fabric shop. The choices are endless, but it was wonderful that Gloria helped me so that I was able to use all three.

I'm including a picture of the fabrics with this post so you can get a feel of what they look like. I had a difficult time matching fabrics together because you always see either quilts that match or quilts that are completely random, but they still somehow come back around and look amazing.

Well my first lesson is this afternoon, so look forward to hearing all about it!

Opportunity of a Lifetime

Are you one of those people that is always wishing and wishing you could be more creative? Are you like me and walk into a crafting store, like Michael's or Jo Ann Fabrics, and ooo and ahhh over all the endless possibilities? Somewhere deep down, you talk yourself out of it. Maybe its because you think it would be too expensive. Or maybe you don't have the time. But you have the same thoughts as me - you don't think you're creative.

As a college student with limited time and money, I have had these thoughts. Many many times I should say. I did pick up knitting around a year ago, which I still find very relaxing and soothing. But like everything else, knitting wasn't enough. I wanted more.

The one craft I've always wanted to learn was sewing. If you think about it, sewing is the ultimate craft. ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES, just sitting there at your finger tips, waiting for you to get up the courage to begin. Well, if you're nodding your head agreeing with all that I'm saying, you'll find this blog encouraging and maybe even inspiring.

Recently, I was given the golden opportunity of a lifetime to learn the craft I've dreamed of learning. Yes indeed, I'm finally getting the chance to learn to sew. Over the next four weeks, I will learn the basics of machine sewing through lessons at a local fabric shop, Ragtime Fabrics.

Now, you're probably wondering what changed. How did I suddenly get up the courage to learn to sew? Truthfully, it was my experience with this shop. Picture it: I am a graduate student, about to graduate in May and the one thing that stands in my way is a single project. This project can be anything I want. Well, I put two and two together, and discovered this priceless opportunity. Through this project, I not only get to learn to sew, but I also get to share my experiences, my struggles and my successes with you through this blog.