Transform Your Old Knits into a Luxurious Quilt: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Using simple sewing techniques and an ordinary sewing machine you can make a luxury sweater quilt in just a few days.This video shows the methods and techniques using a one eighth size sample. It breaks down the process into step by step instructions on how to cut out, design, machine sew and hand finish a quilt. Using simple sewing techniques and an ordinary sewing machine you can make a luxury sweater quilt in just a few days. Old or unloved sweaters, jumpers, pullovers (or whatever you call them where you live!), can be upcycled and recycled to become a quilt that will be cherished and used all the time. By backing the knits with a lightweight silky material, the knits will retain softness and stretch while maintaining shape.
Chapters
00:00 Equipment
01:56 Cutting out the patches
03:29 Design
05:14 Pinning the patches together
06:23 Sewing the patches together
07:26 Sewing the columns together
11:48 Place the knit on the backing
12:43 Pinning the backing
13:34 Binding the edges of the quilt
Over thirty years of making these quilts I have developed my own methods which make it possible to complete one of these quilts quickly.
Most of the special people in my life have received and still enjoy their own luxury quilt.
I made the first quilt when a dear friend was finding it hard to part with some very worn but still loved sweaters made from a silk, wool and cashmere mix. I offered to take the sweaters away and make a quilt.
How many of you have some great knits that you value but never wear?
Wouldn't it be great to be able to enjoy them day to day in the form of a cosy, but reasonably lightweight quilt?
In Australian colonial times and in the early farming days, it was common for people to make Woggas from jute wheat bags covered in hand sewn old clothing. Most of these were strictly utilitarian but some were a work of art. My grandmother made us Woggas from a mix of old clothing and jumpers, as we call them in Australia.
In order to use the most fabric from each sweater, I use a non -pattern design. It is reasonably hard to not have a pattern as our brain is quick to make connections as soon as colour, tone or shape is repeated. While I mostly make quilts from a range of colours , it is also interesting to use a different tones of the same colour and/ or different textures.
And, your knits dont need to be the same type or weight. You can easily combine very thick knits with fine merino knits. You can always layer ultra thin or lacy knits to create a stronger patch. I would love to hear your feedback and learn about your journey in making your own special quilt.
Music: Sunshine Samba artist: Chris Haugen

[@lourdescastaneda4072]

So many options with this technique. I'm working on cutting out 10" and 5"squares from old clothes I'm repurposing. I see from your video given the size you use, the sky's the limit on size determination. Thanks for the great color chip and numbering columns.

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Thank you for commenting... so much.. If you have a look at the video with the dog in front... you will see more info about possible pattern/numbering combinations. This means that, as you say, it is possible to be really efficient with using old textiles. The only think I would be careful of , is mixing stretch and non stretch. In the beginning, a long time ago, I tried inserting columns of velvet between the knits...aghhhh. That looked awful. Mixing knits of different thicknesses is no problem at all.. just not knits and non knits. You can get away with one or two. I am just super-thrilled to get your feedback and enthusiasm. Yes these quilts are a winner. Best wishes to you and yours.

[@lourdescastaneda4072]

@TheWeekendArtist thanks for the comment of stretch vs non stretch. I was thinking of using Pellon Ultra Lightweight Fusible Interfacing stabilizer behind t-shirts let me know what you think 🤔

[@williemaepearson4011]

I love the ideal 2 make the sweaters in2 a warm QUILT you made and EXPLAINED it so well thanks 4 sharing I love it

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Greetings Williemae and thank you so much for your very kind comment. Absolutely made my day! I hope you get to make one of these for yourself. All my best from Australia...Christine

[@raginisingh3016]

You are too good,taken care of everything.

[@TheWeekendArtist]

thank you for your very kind comment Ragini. I really appreciate you watching the video. Best wishes to you.

[@ingridvantkruys4818]

Thank you sooo much for this lovely tutorial

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Thank you very much I'm really glad you liked it. The whole process does work well and these quilts feel so lovely.

[@elenaterbea2167]

I succeded. I've made a nice quilt. Thanks again for this tutorial

[@TheWeekendArtist]

You’re welcome Elena 😊 That is great news. I really appreciate you letting me know. Enjoy your quilt.

[@elenaterbea2167]

I like your idea very much. The tutorial is so explicit. Thank you.

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Dear Elena, Thankyou so much for your comment. These quilts work well. They are not too heavy and the airpockets make them even warmer somehow. Let me know if you have any questions. Best wishes Christine

[@b2tkc]

Excellent! Congratulations on such a wonderful tutorial. Thank you!

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Thank you so much artb2. I really appreciate that and glad you enjoyed it.

[@crystalflowers5676]

Beautiful. Please keep producing your craft.

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. You have made my day!

[@user-cj5gd9ts9b]

Очень аккуратная работа .Есть чему поучиться.Спасибо.

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Большое спасибо за просмотр и большое спасибо за комментарии. Я очень ценю это.

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Hi , Thankyou for watching this video. It's my first ever KZbin video. Please include in this comments section, any questions you have about the process of making one of these quilts for yourself. I made a second video which shows the process using a full sized quilt. These two videos provide quite a lot of detailed information. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f17XoIitbNStrLM

[@lauraharke3832]

Did you felt the sweaters first or use as is?

[@medihaindap6202]

Nice idea quıckly makıng no more time I lıked thankyou for your workıng good chance regards

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Thank you Mediha. Yes it is so good to be able to make a quilt so quickly. Best wishes to you from Australia

[@user-wr7nu9ky5t]

Идея отличная!

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Thank you very much and Thank you for watching

[@user-qu7he8qp2q]

Привет, очень понравился ваш раскрой и раскладка перед сборкой и соединением. Спасибо

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Большое спасибо за ваши добрые слова. Я действительно ценю это. Желаю тебе всего наилучшего.

[@muffsmerino]

Great idea! Would love to make this 💜

[@TheWeekendArtist]

You should! They really do feel luxurious. Thanks for your comments. Really appreciate it.

[@TheWeekendArtist]

I should have said before... I really enjoy your channel and your wonderful creations.

[@kathrynpennal9118]

Question for you. Your stitching looks beautifully flat, no puckers, not wavy at all. Can you share your secret on how to achieve that? It didn’t look like you were using all felted wool.

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Kathryn , Thank you for your question. In these quilts I am not using any felted wool. You can use it but It will have the same inflexibility as woven fabric. One of the joys of this process is that different types of wool knit can be joined together easily and accurately just using your hands. Can I reccommend that you look at my other video which uses real sized patches. I hope that might be helpful. that video will confirm for you that I am only using knits. I use quite a long stitch too. I think you will see my manipulation in the other video better. I really appreciate your question. If this is not clear to you it wont be clear to others either.... And.... my mantra is .. the seams do not come undone and the knits do not fray or unravel. Meaning .. it is not necessary to finish the inside seams in any way . You can clip away some extra bulk but you will see on the real sized quilt video that I dont do that. . Please ask more questions. I want to be sure that I have answered your question. thank you so much for watching

[@TheWeekendArtist]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f17XoIitbNStrLM Shows this process with a full sized quilt.

[@olgachanachowicz2861]

Hello, I sent you an e-mail two days ago. Can you please check if it is in your inbox or junkbox??? I asked you a few questions. I would appreciate a reply. Thanks. Olga

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Hi Olga and thank you. I have replied to your email. Let me know if you have other questions. thank you too for taking the time to contact me. Best wishes Christine

[@janiebird76]

Would this method work with soft cashmere? And could I use flannel as a backing?

[@TheWeekendArtist]

Hi and thank you for your question. Yes you can use cashmere, I do whenever possible. Its a great way to use a slightly damaged sweater. In this video you watched, the latte coffee colour and some of the greys are cashmere. My only concern about flannel would be the weight of the quilt. Maybe you have a stash of flannel? I suggest making the knit component and see how heavy it is. I use the silky backing for the feel of it and also because it is the right heating for Australia. The flannel backing would be very heavy but maybe that is exactly what you want. There is nothing wrong with using flannel with this technique except that using the flannel for the binding might make the binding a bit bulky. Hope this is helpful and thank you so much for watching. best wishes Christine