In this month’s NQC LIVE with Heather Thomas, learn about accurate cutting and piecing, proper ways to enlarge blocks, and how to ensure your backing fabric is lined up. Heather also gives tips on embellishing, including how many different embellishments to use, as well as how to make sure the end result is balanced. Heather also talks about paper and how it can be incorporated into a quilt!
I am making placemats,different colors top and bottom,if I stitch in the ditch do I use same colors thread in the top and bottom?
Hi, Millie. I would recommend using a thread in the needle that matches the fabric color on the top and a thread color in the bobbin that matches the fabric color on the bottom. This will help hide the thread if you accidentally stitch outside of the seam.
how do you attach yoyos to the quilt
Hi Connie. Yo yo’s can be attached to quilts either by hand or by machine. It can be difficult to try and stitch a yo yo to a quilt by machine in a way that isn’t seen, so I would recommend stitching them in place by hand. This can be done with either an invisible stitch around the outside edge or by placing several stitches at the center of the yo yo, allowing the edges to be free.
Hope this helps!
Would you advise quilting in sections on a single bed quilt with border for a beginner with an old sewing machine?
Hi, Denise. Yes, I would recommend quilting in sections. When I quilted my first quilt it was a bed size quilt done on a basic Brother machine. I stared in the middle and worked my way toward one edge, then went back to the middle and worked my way towards the other edge. I the repeated the process to again work from the middle to the top and then to the bottom. Essentially I quilted in quadrants. This was the easiest way for me to ensure my backing fabric didn’t get puckers, and was also an easier way for me to maneuver the quilt on my machine.
What to do if I need the point to point perfection in joining lone star quilt diamonds
Hi, Rajani. When lining up points, I find it helpful to use a pin. I will put the pin straight up and down through one of the fabric layers at the point and then ensure the pin also goes through the point of the other fabric layer. With that pin holding the layers exactly lined up, I can then put in more pins to actually hold the layers together as I sew. Here is a great tutorial showing this technique, and also showing how to strip piece a long star quilt pattern:
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/Strip_Pieced_Diamonds_Video
When adding sashing to quilt blocks, do you need to square off the blocks before adding sashing or after the sashing is sewn onto the blocks
Hi, Shirley. I would recommend squaring off the blocks before adding the sashing to ensure everything still looks aligned when the quilt top is fully assembled.
If you make a king size quilt all out of flannel (for an adult) do you still put a batting in it?
Hi, Lee. This is up to you, but yes I would still put batting between the quilt top and the backing. The only time I would leave out the batting and make a quilt consisting of just a top layer and a backing fabric, is if I was trying to make a light-weight or “summer time” quilt. However, if you are making this out of flannel I am assuming it is meant for warmth, and therefore I would recommend batting.
Your knowledge and presentation were so much appreciated! I’ll look for more classes!
Concerning pressing: What do you think about the wooden iron instead of using your fingers to press the seam.
Hi, Doris. I think it’s o.k. to use while piecing the block but once the block is complete you should use an iron. Use an iron when piecing the blocks into the quilt top also.
Can you tell me please how to get my tension good on a quilting frame machine, it is only a Janome1600P
(Texas). Hi, I’ve been quilting for a year now and I would like to know how important different types of needles are.
I am new to quilting and want to try appliqué. The pattern I have recommends misty fuse. I have never done appliqué. Is misty fuse enough to use or is any additional stabilizer needed?
Thank you for this opportunity. I admire you as a quilting artist. Do you have an online thread art beginning class or demonstration project.
Enjoy your shows very much and learn so much at the same time. Thanks a lot.
Thank you for the very good information.
I am a beginner, can you explain bobbin thread and should I use it rather than regular thread.
Please let me know your thoughts on an art quilt using heat shrinking thread.
I am sorry. I ment batting
Have you ever used the Faultless Sizing instead of starch? It doesn’t a track bugs.
thanks Heather – I learned a lot!
I have used a photocopier to enlarge or reduce an existing block if I want to duplicate it, for example, exactly 12 1/2 inches or 8 1/2 blocks to allow for seam allowances it works really well 🙂
Diagonal of a block is found by multiplying the finished size by 1.414. Eg 9″ diagonally is 12 3/4, 12″ is 17 3/4
How do I get the wrinkles out of binding that’s iron on?
What are your thoughts for Superior thread for piecing?
Thanks for these chats! As a beginning quilter, I learn so much!
What kind of fabric is best to embroider on?
Would not miss Heather Thomas! I always learn something even though I’ve been quilting for three decades! Thank you, Heather!
Where to trace the actual fabric , to date it , and find retro duplicate fabric,
Thank you for explaining how to copy the pattern N yes it is very intricate that does help ?
Do you use starch & if so when & what kind?
Have a quilt top that was my great grandmothers. The seams are hand done and not really secure. Should I machine stitch it back together before I finish it?
How do you calculate the size for a half sq triangle when you are trying to enlarge a block using triangles rather than strips. I have an existing star block that I need to make larger to fit into a border. I want to put the existing block on point and make it fit to the width of the border.
machine quilting…when doing quilt as you go should you quilt real close to the edges also
I have a dougle size nana quilt. Can I remove the binding and add more borders so i can make it larger?
I just made my first crazy quilt using different shades of green and royal purple, should I pick one form of embellishment (beads, buttons, embroidery), or use them all.
Do you ever use open seams in a quilt?
I’m new to quilting, but I want to make a t-shirt quilt. What kind of stabilizer would you recommend?
Also, what kind/ weight of thread do you recommend for the t-shirt quilt?
I have a quilt that my great grandmother made that I would like to trace the fabric to get a proper idea when it was made so I can make a label to attach. How would I research this ? I’ve looked on line but no info for retro fabrics archives that I can find . Thank you?
what thread do you recommend for piecing? What weight for top and bottom?
I have always sent my quilts out to be quilting. I want to try doing free motion myeelf. how are patterns put on quilt to sew? as unsure if freehanding.
I struggle with borders especially if i am adding more than one border on a quilt. I pin out excessively it looks flat then when i quilt it in my machine i have wrinkles in the bottom border
If I use paper as part of an art quilt do I need to preserve the paper in any way? And I would like to hear you speak on incorporating paper into an art quilt or make art cards. Thank you.
Would you consider doing a class on heat shrinking thread as an art quilt. Would love to see what you would do with this.
what is the best way to match seam when piecing
Singer Fashionista
I love all your videos and tips for art quilts. Know you have been really into jewelry but hope you are planning more art quilt videos for NQC. You inspire me!
What types of betting/layering do you recommend for best maneuverability for free motion writing or quilting? I feel as if I have no control, and I’m wondering if this is my issue.
Can muslin be used for backing any quilt?
When doing a way how close should your quilting be to the edges
When adding backing to a quilt is it better to place the self edges against the sides (width) or the top and bottom (length) of the quilt
want to watch
Thanks
When doing bias binding miter corners…do both the front and the back slant the same way? I am never sure if I am doing mine correctly. This is on quilts. Thanks!