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The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Current Projects => Topic started by: Diane on June 22, 2021, 18:56:16 PM

Title: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 22, 2021, 18:56:16 PM
Back to the dark side for me  :ninja: I feel more comfortable over here  :laughing:
I dug out the pineapple blocks that i started a while back and have made a couple more over the last few days. This afternoon i added some sashing to part of the blocks, not sure how big a lap quilt should be so i'll give it a measure up in the morning but i think i'll need another three blocks. I've done 12 blocks so far.
My next project will be an applique wall hanging to go above my bed, theme yet to be decided.

Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Lilian on June 22, 2021, 18:59:06 PM
What a beautiful block, good colours too.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: b15erk on June 22, 2021, 19:06:57 PM
Not a quilter, but those blocks are lovely.  I love your colour choices.  :loveit:

Jessie
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Acorn on June 22, 2021, 19:07:16 PM
They are gorgeous.  I love pineapple blocks.   0_0
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 22, 2021, 19:08:30 PM
Thankyou @Acorn @Lilian @b15erk

I need to get some batting tomorrow, any suggestions on what weight i should use?
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: BrendaP on June 22, 2021, 20:20:51 PM
I think weight only applies to polyester wadding (batting if you are American), 2oz, 4oz, 6oz?  Depends how thick and squidgy you want it to be 

AFAIK cotton and 80/20 cotton/poly only comes in one thickness.  Much nicer for anything that you will snuggle into, athough 100% polyester wadding is ligher weight.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Ploshkin on June 22, 2021, 20:33:08 PM
Those are lovely colours.  Looking forward to seeing the finished quilt.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Lowena on June 22, 2021, 22:08:08 PM
I use 80/20 widely available in several sizes
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 23, 2021, 07:02:14 AM
Thankyou ladies, I will pop out and get some this morning
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 23, 2021, 12:42:27 PM
Picked up some wadding this morning and also some cotton backing fabric.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 25, 2021, 15:12:00 PM
Made good progress these last two days, have now put all the blocks together and now i need to add another white sashing around the outside before i decide on my border.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Celia on June 25, 2021, 15:25:16 PM
Looks great  :loveit: the colours are great together with the white
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 25, 2021, 15:41:35 PM
Thanks @Celia I'm really enjoying the quilting, can just get lost in it which is good for me
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: b15erk on June 25, 2021, 15:45:54 PM
@Diane , that is beautiful!

Jessie
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 25, 2021, 15:48:53 PM
Help needed please  :) Do i sandwich the quilt first and then add the border? Also i want the border to have some wadding in it so i gather i need to leave an excess of about an inch or so of the wadding when i trim it  :faints:
I'm not going to go any further today incase i mess it up, i will wait until some lovely quilt expert comes along  :laughing:

Another question, do i do my fmq before i add the border  :thinking:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: fajita on June 25, 2021, 16:24:10 PM
First add your border.
Then add wadding a good couple of inches overlapping all around.
Then add your backing, same size as your wadding.
The pin/baste all three layers every 3 or 4 inches. Start in the centre, and spiral the pins out from there.
Then do your FMQ as required, removing pins as necessary to achieve this.
Then trim and square all layers.
Then add your binding.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Lowena on June 25, 2021, 16:25:50 PM
Exactly what Fajita said  :) the only difference I  make is...I spray baste with 505, and just pin the corners
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 25, 2021, 16:33:40 PM
Thank you @fajita @Lowena
So I gather the border is completely separate to the binding
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: fajita on June 25, 2021, 16:34:34 PM
Yes. The binding is added to coverall three layers.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Lowena on June 25, 2021, 16:37:55 PM
Yes,totally. The binding is the grand finale   :D
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 25, 2021, 16:40:08 PM
Thanks for helping @Lowena @fajita

Will continue with the quilt tomorrow when DH has gone out for the day.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Acorn on June 25, 2021, 16:44:25 PM
I spray and pin!  It's looking really lovely, and the white border is going to bring it together beautifully.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 25, 2021, 16:47:32 PM
Thankyou @Acorn

I’m going to add a white border but I’m not sure what colour binding would go with it
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Deafoldbat on June 25, 2021, 19:02:31 PM
@Diane finish the top, layer and quilt it and then look at it. It will tell you what colour to use for binding (probably something you haven't got  :rolleyes:).
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 25, 2021, 19:15:57 PM
@Deafoldbat Thanks, I'm sure that will be the case, it would be most unfortunate if i had to go to the fabric shop to get some more fabric :laughing:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Acorn on June 25, 2021, 20:06:07 PM
It is terrible when that happens...  :laughing:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 26, 2021, 13:32:44 PM
I now have the white sashing on all around and it's been ironed, layered and pinned, my what a workout that was. I had to pin it on the floor as the table wasn't big enough, god knows what it's like pinning a king size quilt  :faints:

 
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Lowena on June 26, 2021, 14:49:44 PM
A King size quilt is a nightmare to sandwich @Diane  that's what it is  :devil:
I either do it on the stripped bed or use the pool noodle method  :)
Yours is looking good
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 26, 2021, 16:28:49 PM
Well i'm all ready to do my free motion quilting and it's a bit daunting  :faints: Now i know i need to start in the middle but do i just meander or would you follow the lines  :thinking:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Lowena on June 26, 2021, 16:44:24 PM
Can't help you with this at all I'm afraid @Diane . I can't get on with a walking foot and so I always hand quilt. I also prefer the look that hand quilting gives a quilt. I do big stitch quilting with Perle cotton number 8
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 26, 2021, 17:07:37 PM
Can't help you with this at all I'm afraid @Diane . I can't get on with a walking foot and so I always hand quilt. I also prefer the look that hand quilting gives a quilt. I do big stitch quilting with Perle cotton number 8
 
Hand quilt  :faints: Respect to you @Lowena  i never thought of hand quilting  :thinking: I need to investigate.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 26, 2021, 18:28:09 PM
I’m going to chicken out and stitch in the ditch, it’s my first quilt and I don’t want to ruin it  :ninja:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 26, 2021, 20:40:16 PM
Well that didn't go very well  :rolleyes: I've got a proper stitch in the ditch foot and although the blade was exactly in the ditch it certainly wasn't stitching in it  :faints: ended up unpicking what i'd done and decided that i would just FMQ, it's not perfect, some stitches are longer than others in places but hey it's my first quilt and you've got to start somewhere. It's not like its for someone else  0_0.
The throat on my machine isn't that big, DH asked if they did machines with larger throats  :laughing: oh yes i said (new machine excuse lurking round the corner  :laughing:) and it was difficult manoeuvering it around, how on earth do you do big quilts  :faints: I've stopped now as the light is going, will restart tomorrow and see if i can improve my method, not sure if it's better pushing the quilt backwards or forwards  :thinking:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Lowena on June 26, 2021, 21:57:23 PM
Actually @Diane it was me not Iminei who hand quilts.
Sitd is notoriously difficult to do so don't beat yourself up about it
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Acorn on June 26, 2021, 23:36:38 PM
As @Lowena says, stitch in the ditch is incredibly difficult.  Echo quilting - where you quilt a certain distance from the seams - is much easier, especially if you have a quilting guide that fits into your foot.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Ploshkin on June 27, 2021, 08:35:39 AM
I've only done a small amount of fmq but found it easiest to restrict myself to one area at a time ( one block perhaps).  That way I knew where I needed to go and didn't get myself trapped or lose my way.
I found that the big stitches happen when you stop and then start off again because you get a bit of a jerk.  I get round this by doing a slow stitch or two on the spot where I stopped then it's easier to take off smoothly.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 27, 2021, 09:55:46 AM
@Ploshkin I'm doing the same, working my through the blocks, it is difficult to see where you've been  but i'll get better at it, just need more practice. I have plenty of bigger stitches on my quilt and it does like you say tend to happen when i stop, i'll do what you suggested and slow right down when i come to a halt.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 27, 2021, 18:43:08 PM
I have one more row of blocks to quilt then that's done, i gather i then trim it and add the border which i've yet to make and that will be tomorrow's job. Now for the border, should it be a certain width? When i machine sew it to the wrong side do i use a 1/4" seam allowance or do i seam it wider?  apologies for all the questions but i'm groping in the dark here  :laughing:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Deafoldbat on June 27, 2021, 19:54:00 PM
Quote
then trim it and add the border

@Diane Do you mean add the binding? Borders form part of the quilt top, binding covers the raw edges of the layered and quilted top.

Binding width is a contentious subject, you will get as many 'this is the only way' instructions as there are ways to bind.
Speaking personally - some one will be along to disagree soon - I trim the top so that there is approx ½ inch of backing and wadding showing past the edge of the top. I cut 1½ inch strips of binding fabric, joining them on the diagonal - this will reduce lumps when you turn the binding over the raw edges. Sew (machine) the binding to the quilt top, right sides together, through all 3 layers, ¼ inch in from the raw edge of the top. Fold over the binding, turning it's raw edge under a ¼ inch and hand stitch it down to the backing.You roll the excess wadding backing into the binding. This gives a plump, filled edge.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 27, 2021, 20:08:51 PM
@Deafoldbat  yes I mean the binding, thanks for the info on a different way to do it, I did wonder about not trimming it right the way back and I like the sound of having plump binding. I’ll get my binding made tomorrow and then I’ll have a play.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 28, 2021, 14:21:39 PM
Well the sun is out down here on the coast, so i set up my sewing machine and thought i'd get the quilting done, happily meandering away down the quilt, came to the last bit and when i turned it over i had accidentally caught the overhanging backing fabric back in on itself, i've had to sit here and unpick all what i've done all the way down the long side and part the way along the short side. Why didn't i check? i'd obviously done it whilst turning the quilt round  :rant: Another error i won't be repeating. If i can get this sorted out today then i can get on to the binding tomorrow.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 29, 2021, 12:19:07 PM
Well i've sorted out the problems i had yesterday and retraced my meandering stitching. This morning i started to make all my own binding from some of the fabric that i used to make the blocks, i held it up to the quilt but it just wasn't grabbing me so i've just gone for something completely different and dark and i think it works. I've stitched all the binding together and i've just finished pinning it on to the top of the quilt, this afternoon i'll start sewing the final bit by hand. I have really enjoyed doing this lap quilt despite the rookie errors and i can't wait to start another.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: b15erk on June 29, 2021, 13:28:54 PM
Good for you @Diane !  Look forward to seeing pictures!

Jessie
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 29, 2021, 17:13:24 PM
Sat here all afternoon finishing the binding off by hand, I love hand sewing, forgot how relaxing it is.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: fajita on June 29, 2021, 18:09:05 PM
That is so pretty, @Diane  :toast:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 29, 2021, 18:36:21 PM
Thankyou @b15erk @fajita

I've really enjoyed doing this, need to perfect my corners so i'm going to do a test piece before the next one so i can get it much neater. Now for my next project  :thinking: i fancy doing another one as a wall hanging but using applique.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Acorn on June 29, 2021, 18:45:41 PM
That is really lovely.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 29, 2021, 18:47:21 PM
Thankyou @Acorn
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Celia on June 30, 2021, 10:16:50 AM
Your quilt is lovely, I really wish I could get into quilting  :loveit: :loveit: but I just can’t so back to the light side for me.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: realale on June 30, 2021, 15:17:18 PM
That is a really attractive quilt. Well done. As a non quilter I bow to your patience and eye for colour  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on June 30, 2021, 15:39:46 PM
Thankyou @realale that means a lot.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: BrendaP on June 30, 2021, 20:48:47 PM
That quilt looks lovely - and the dark blue binding was definitely a good choice.
 :loveit:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Lisalou1965 on July 01, 2021, 07:37:56 AM
That is really pretty! Well done you - another design for my list of musts!!!

Lx
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Ploshkin on July 01, 2021, 09:13:12 AM
Good binding choice, it gives the quilt a nice frame.  Your quilting looks good too.  Altogether a lovely quilt.  You do realise that there is now no return from the dark side  :devil:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on July 01, 2021, 10:59:32 AM
Good binding choice, it gives the quilt a nice frame.  Your quilting looks good too.  Altogether a lovely quilt.  You do realise that there is now no return from the dark side  :devil:

@Ploshkin I've now realised after doing this first quilt that I'm a darkside girl at heart, you lot have tempted me back  :devil:
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Ann on July 01, 2021, 11:33:25 AM
@Diane, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. You did an amazing job on this quilt.
Title: Re: Lap quilt
Post by: Diane on July 01, 2021, 11:34:52 AM
Thankyou @Ann I did enjoy doing it, you just sort of get lost in it