Making My First Quilt as a Christmas gift!

Join me on an emotional Rollercoaster of sewing my first quilt.

[@annl4329]

I think you did a great job. The errors we make give our quilts the human touch and make them even more special. Every one is a learning curve. I've been quilting for only a few years in comparison to some, but I have my own style of quilting. I'm sure some seasoned quilters wouldn't approve, but seeing as I make my quilts for myself or my family, I don't care. I enjoy the process, love the end results and that's all that matters. My latest quilt was hand pieced using the English Paper Piecing method and took over a year. I backed it with a flannel fabric and it's so cosy, I love it. To me the process is meditative and calms me and keeps any anxieties at bay, as I just focus on the stitching. Please don't be put off quilting and just do things your own way. It's a great hobby to pick up and put down as and when you want to. My first quilt took 7 years to finish, with a huge gap in between starting and finishing, but I finished it eventually during Lockdown. I've slept under it many times and it feels like I'm being hugged all night long. I often use old woollen blankets or even duvets as batting, which makes them super warm and helps prevent putting old bedding into landfill. Historically, quilting has always been about doing what you can with what you have and I personally love and focus on the resourceful aspects of this hobby. By the way, I love watching your upcycling videos, you do some very creative things with the clothing that you thrift. I too follow The Last Homely House, she's a very experienced and versatile quilter and her videos are so entertaining.

[@danika6586]

Oh I could feel you in your moments of frustration in the making of this lovely quilt!! I can’t believe it was your first time because you did awesome! I personally am not a fan of the overly quilted stiff cotton quilts, I make mine with thrifted flannel, corduroy, soft old denim, fleece, and cottons. I have used linens, sheets and tablecloths for backing as well. It is exactly what our great grandmothers would have used, their goal was a cozy warm quilt with what they had. Boo to the fabric store ladies’ opinions. I bet it’s the favorite blanket in the house. You have great quilting instincts, don’t give up on quilts just yet! An Easy Peasy finish is to take your quilt top and backing with right sides facing and place on top of your batting. For a fleece or corduroy backing you don’t even need batting. Sew at least a 1/2 inch seam all around (I round my corners) leaving an opening and then pull it right side out. Then go around and sew a topstitch all around it, closing the opening, much like a pillow. This makes the binding. Then you can tie with yarn every 8-10 inches or so. And as long as you’re using a walking foot, you can also quilt in the ditch between the seams. Just an idea when you feel up to trying again. Very proud of you! 👏

[@HannahCatherineMain]

I feel the same way, so many old quits that I have seen look like they were made with whatever fabric was available, not based around quilting “rules” that people have today! It is VERY warm and cozy!! That’s a great suggestion, I think I would definitely try that tactic to save some time (and sanity) next time!!

[@jankerslake5813]

You’ve been misled by the quilting snobbery that’s out there!! Fleece backing is lovely and cosy. So glad you did your own thing 👍. Great 1st quilt. Love the design and fabric. Well done.

[@kathyharris1277]

Perfectly stated!!! I agree with your comment!

[@dar4835]

You can also use a flat sheet for your backing! You have great ideas. I'm sorry there are people who think they know whats in their best interest for you. It looks great!

[@pamelanred5053]

I have been quilting for over 40 years and unfortunately there are a lot of snobby quilters. I made a quilt out of challis and lined it with flannel. I love it but got so many people telling me it couldn’t be done. I love your quilt and think it so sweet you made that for your husband. Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t listen to naysayers. Also a walking foot makes machine quilting so much easier.

[@christyw9883]

You did fantastic!! May I suggest to follow a quilt pattern on your next one, there are so many tips tricks and secrets to make things go so much faster! I would have never attempted my first one with a time limit! You are amazing! The first quilt I made was a baby quilt because it was small but satisfying! Kudos to you girl! Perfection is not the goal! Very impressed!

[@PaperDiva67]

Good for you trying something new! Sometimes us quilters can get pre-occupied with the “rules”. Just like garment sewing there’s an easier and more efficient way to sew your project to get the best results. I do hope that you try quilting again with some more traditional methods. Maybe a few of these tips can make it easier; There’s no need to serge any edges because they’re all hidden inside. There’s lots of great and easy patterns out there with cutting instructions that make the cutting process very fast… including your triangles. The ladies were wrong about your choice of fabrics… flannels are fine just trickier than quilting cotton because they have a lot of body, using a fleece fabric for the backing is untraditional but I do it all the time with great results. If you do want to make another with similar fabrics I would highly recommend you use batting. Even a thin cotton batting. The basting process (lots of videos with tutorials out there) helps to keep the quilting process go smoothly and you can avoid the bunching up which is so frustrating. The quilting process goes more quickly and smoothly if you have a plan in your mind of how you want to quilt it and a walking foot is super helpful for being happy with your quilting. A quarter inch seam, Starch and your iron are a quilters best friends. Please accept these tips as a way to say, you’re a great sew-IST and I love your creativity, there’s always so much more to learn. BTW I think garment sewing is WAY more difficult than quilting so I admire your skill level big time!!!

[@deanairvine5271]

Your quilt will be so much more loved and used than the super stiff cotton quilts with excessive long arm quilting details. I know your hubby must be loving it🩷

[@chrisdaniel4816]

Don't be so hard on yourself, your first is always so difficult There are many short cuts to cutting out a quilt and a rotary cutter is a gift. Having a cutting mat and rulers are expensive yet worth the cost. A large table helps the back. Never give up and continue to create He loves his quilt because you made it and is a reflection of your love

[@joc0553]

Be kind to yourself! Your husband loves it! He probably doesn't know about thread nests or wrinkles in the fabric!! It was a labor of love! You did a fabulous job!

[@kristianbjrnjensen5388]

If I should get myself along with trying make some quilting, I will start with something VERY MUCH smaller, than you did there. I have some ideas in my head for some garment a fourth the size of your blanket.

[@mycat-r7y]

I felt your frustration watching this, I’ve been there too and so many times 😫 but hey it turned out really well and gave me hope ! The comments have been helpful too. I really enjoy your channel, you've great ideas and delightful to watch. Thank you.

[@kilodeltawhisky1504]

Check out the "Last lonely cottage" on KZbin. She does a strip quilt that I want to try so bad. I've stayed away from quilting because I have so many crafting hobbies that I don't need another... But I'm ramping up to begin. I think you did a fabulous job of it and I kinda like the thread nests on the back... This will be a piece you will cherish. It will become a story piece and I'm sure your husband couldn't be happier with it because YOU made it for HIM! 😘💞💖

[@tanyajohnston8262]

I’ve live by the saying that a few mistakes makes the item more you and yours 😊

[@kilodeltawhisky1504]

Note: I have trouble hearing you. Some parts good, some parts very low volume. I'm a new subscriber, I adore your energy both highs and lows - so honest and real. I look forward to your next video! Cheers.

[@marylynneturner5290]

Those women were so wrong! Flannel quilts, and quilts backed with fleece are common and awesome. You have great creative instincts. There are videos that could help you streamline your process.

[@lindak370]

You did a great job for you very first-time quilting! I really enjoyed the upcycle 7 garments video too. :-)

[@tanyajohnston8262]

You did a great job ! Wow ! I tried quilting at one time but it is too finickidy for me 😊

[@susan2241]

Your quilt is pretty good for your first try at it. Some quilters have a lot of rules because they have learned from their “mistakes” what works for them. You will learn things along the way as well. If you want to try another one maybe take a class where you will learn some tricks to make it go faster. My first quilt many years ago felt like it took forever to finish. Now I can make a quilt in a couple of days if I want to. I have used an old thrifted blanket for the back of a t-shirt quilt, I have used flannel for the inside batting, and I have used various fabrics for different effects. Quilting cotton is a stable fabric making it to use. Use what you like and continue to create!

[@HannahCatherineMain]

Great ideas! Thanks for the encouragement!!

[@darlenebooth2534]

invest in a walking foot for the quilting part, all of that puckering on the back is because the fabric is thick and going thru at different rates on the bottom and your sewing foot. the walking foot equalize that! hope that makes sense! I love your videos ❤

[@auntmemeintennessee8033]

I love this quilt! It’s so whimsical and fun. I think you did great.

[@cfauria9171]

Made with love❤I'm sure your husband loved it! I recently bought an incomplete quilt at the thrift store for $5. I am not a quilter. All of the squares are sewn together, all that is need is the batting and binding. I've been looking for beginner classes or tutorials online and KZbin. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Thanks for all your videos. I love your teaching style💖

[@dar4835]

I've seen some who sew the batting and the backing inside out, the flip it back through itself, and one seam left to close it. You can use a tablecloth, or a flat sheet for your backing. My mom made a quilt, and it is a top, and backing together, oh my gosh, I think it is warmer than one that has batting in it. Good luck with your project!

[@susancheveralllong7694]

The next one will be better. 😉

[@madelinebark8473]

This video made me laugh so much. However I was NOT laughing at you. My first quilt was a t-shirt quilt for my daughter and son in law and it also was going to be a Christmas present. Like you I was about a week into it when I realized NO WAY would it be ready. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know quilting terms - nothing. They knew they were getting a quilt because they gave me the t-shirts to use. When I realized it wouldn't be done I just wrapped a couple of blocks. I didn't finish that thing until the end of February. Please don't give up - from the videos I've seen you are an amazing seamstress and quilting is a different animal than "regular" sewing - again I also know this because I've been sewing since I was in my teens and I'm 66 now but have only been quilting for around 5 years. Don't let the quilt police get to you - I just hate the quilting "rules" some folks have. I had a "friend" stand over me when I made a quilt label and told me exactly what "she" said needed to be on it. There are shortcuts to some of the things you did - and I see where others have pointed those out - it's a different kind of cutting than using patterns for clothes. Consider taking a beginning quilting class - that's probably all you'll need - and try another quilt. I love your channel and so glad I stumbled onto it. Very enjoyable, especially the upcycling ones. Thanks!