Ageless Quilting

AgelessQuilting December 4th, 2006

One reason why quilting has become so popular is that it doest not need any specific quilting material. Hence, it is easy for beginners to take this wonderful hobby up as a whim. It is another story that once they try their hand at it, and hold their first quilt in their hands, they are hooked on it forever.

The Traditional Quilting Material

When it started in USA, it started with scraps of fabric, which was usually discarded by different tailoring houses. The favorite among all the fabrics, owing mostly to their non-slippery texture, was the calico and broadcloth. However, other fabrics were used as quilting material as per availability. These were the ‘raw material.’ These became quilting material when they were carefully matched with the other pieces available to create a picture of symmetry or asymmetry using light and dark colors, and different prints.

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AgelessQuilting December 2nd, 2006

Quilting has been a passion of many around the world for centuries. Initially it was used for protection against cold but in due course quilts gained other decorative values as well, depending on the design and material that was used to manufacture it from.

The Fabric of the Quilt

The fabric of the quilt plays an important role on the purpose of the quilt therefore quilting fabric manufacturers pay great deal of attention to this detail. The fabric of the quilt can be anything from pure cotton, which is mostly preferred to wool, to polyester as well as mixtures of these fabrics.

Quilting fabric manufacturers have to clearly state the fabric used in any given quilt on the label that will be attached to the said quilt as well as care directions for the same. If more than one type of fabric has been used in the making of the quilt it is essential that all be mentioned along with the percentage used

Unique Quilts

There are many who make their own quilt and make a unique piece of decoration out of it. Quilting fabric manufacturers produce a large number of materials to choose from in order to create these memorable quilts such as: some like to create quilts with pictures of their children and grandchildren on them or their pets. Quilting fabric manufacturers make all this possible by creating custom made material where you can order your own design on the material of your choice

A custom made quilt can be used as covers in a cold winter night but can also be used as a throw over a sofa or bed. Quilting fabric manufacturers keep all the possibilities in mind when making quilt material in order to use them as you choose.

Make Your Own Quilt

In some families it is a tradition to make or assist someone in making a quilt. However, if you are new at it and yet the idea fascinates you why not give it a try – it is easy and fun as well as it will give you something to pride yourself with to your children and grandchildren.

Choose your own quilt fabric and design, length and width as well as thickness. If you want a specific type of fabric all you have to do is contact a quilting fabric manufacturer in your town or on line and they will be only too happy to assist you in your project. Instructions on ‘how to make your own quilt’ are also available on line in specialized sites; here, you can find help step by step on how to create your own quilt.

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AgelessQuilting November 30th, 2006

Among the wide variety of quilting fabrics available, landscape quilting fabrics are set apart from the rest due to their distinctive features and unique styles. Landscaping quilts are especially adored by nature lovers every where. These realistic prints are most appropriate for dens, lounges and can even suit your patio or porch in some cases.

Landscaping quilting fabrics are available in loads of materials, from 100 per cent cotton to linen and rayon. The patterns most popular are that of a stormy sea, a placid island, an abandoned cabin and of course waterfalls.

Though seemingly difficult, these landscape patterns are now relatively easy to make due to the availability of landscape quilting fabrics. One can find water fabrics which are best for making oceans, streams and lakes. The fabrics are of different textures and shades, depending whether the quilt involves a rough sea or a placid pond.

In the same way, wood fabrics are specially designed to make the trunks of trees or a wooden gate. Fabrics are available for every part of the great outdoors, from stones, rocks and pebbles to field grass and house walls. So much so, that certain fabric stores also have prints of human hair and animal skin.

Certain landscaping quilting fabrics are neutral enough to be used for quilts, other than just for landscaping. The starry night and cloudy sky patterns can go beautifully in any patchwork quilt as well.

Tips and Techniques from the Professionals

Unlike patchwork quilts, landscape quilts are non symmetrical and are best done by the professional artist. According to these artists, it is best to start by sketching the scene on a piece of paper or pinning the fabric to cardboard. This will help you see the color combinations and sizes of each individual aspect of the landscape.

It is best to have a large selection of colors to see which shade goes best. Errors in proportion and colors can be fixed before hand, this way. Once decided, the fabric is attached using fusible, hand, machine or raw edge appliqué and appliquiting. Some artists use a bit of all the techniques to give the landscape a realistic and uneven look.

Landscape quilting fabrics are very appealing to the eye. Colors like earthy brown, forest green and sky blue give the quilt and your room a pleasant natural look, which will definitely be appreciated by everyone.

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AgelessQuilting November 28th, 2006

Quilting has become a passion with many and with some even a tradition where the family will put their efforts together in order to finish a larger quilt or project. The reason why quilting can become addictive is that you can create your own from scratch.

You don’t need experience or previous practice to create your quilt. However, you will need a lot of creativity and inspiration which most of us women have plenty to go around.

First and foremost you must decide on the size of the quilt and here you should first try a smaller quilt so you don’t get tired mid-way and give up the project. Sometimes when making a quilt for the first time you can get anxious to finish it in order to see the end result.

Fabric Squares for Quilting: The Details

Quilting by squares is an practice widely used by both professionals and new in the field for many reasons, let us explore them together. The most attractive advantage is that you never get bored as every little square is different. You will have a colorful quilt with a mixed or symmetric pattern you can to choose square by square.

When using fabric squares for quilting you can choose different types of fabric as well as colors, which will add to the personality of the quilt as well as to its individuality. When working with individual fabric squares for quilting you will see that the quilt will be finished quicker rather than making something of the same pattern, which does not keep its excitement through the process.

Choosing each individual fabric square for quilting is probably the best thing of all as it can be absolutely anything at all, from flowers to pictures, the sky is the limit. Many make one for each season so they can keep a pattern but still lay with the colors and fabric.

Quilting as Tradition

Many quilt every year and sometimes every season, making presents and creating history with their quilting habits by passing on their skills. It is a relaxing, creative hobby, which can even bring you fame and profit should you choose to get professional. However, many keep it as a family practice, each year making different fabric squares for quilting to add to their masterpieces.

Try quilting yourself today with fabric squares for quilting. However, be warned that it is a very addictive hobby, which can very well end up being a tradition in your family as well.

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AgelessQuilting November 22nd, 2006

Quilts are used for many different purposes from keeping warm to decorating the bed, sofa and long ago it was even used for wall decoration. Quilts come in many different fabrics as they are intended for many different purposes. However, whatever its use one thing must be taken in consideration right from the beginning and that is the durability of the material.

Different Types of Fabrics and Their Purposes

Fabric is probably the most important factor in a quilt as it ensures durability and protection. Babies however have a much sensitive skin and sometimes adults do as well and for this reason you must be careful when choosing quilting fabric for babies. Here are a few things you can look up and consider before purchasing quilting fabric for babies, which hopefully will help you make the right decision.

Usually cotton is the best quilting fabric for babies and adults alike as it has no allergic factors to irritate the skin or react with other factors such as the baby cream and so on. The best way to make sure the cotton is the fabric used as the quilting fabric you must check the attached tag to the quilt or if you cannot find one must enquire about the fabric composition with the sales person in the store or the manufacturer.

Sometimes you can even feel the difference in fabrics by the simple touch of hand, as cotton is much smoother than any other material. Yet another factor to consider when choosing quilting fabric for babies is the thread count; anything below 300-thread count will make even 100% cotton fabrics harsh to the skin.

Besides cotton, satin, silk and velvet are also used as quilting fabric for babies for their smooth feel and comforting nature however, these fabric are not as resistant as cotton and that is one thing one must consider when making a quilt for a baby.

Make Your Own Quilt

Many choose today to make their own quilt, this way they can ensure it is done according to their desire besides it is much more personal especially when you are making a quilt for a new born baby. First and foremost it is a real small quilt therefore it will take you no time to put it together and you can choose which ever pattern and design you find right.

Many mothers and grandmothers choose to decorate the quilt with pictures of their children, grandchildren or even pets. The sky is the limit as far as the pattern and design is concerned.

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AgelessQuilting November 20th, 2006

Just because you come across a great quilting fabric collection, doesn’t mean it will make your work any more beautiful or treasured than a quilt made of remnants from old scrap material. The reason for this is simple; it’s not about the materials you use that make a quilt great, it’s about the time, effort and vision you put into the work.

With that being said, there aren’t even particular kinds of material that will or can make up a great quilting fabric collection. In fact, the most profound quilting fabric collections owned by quilters are simply old pieces left over from projects, or even old scrap material from clothes that their children have outgrown.

What Exactly Does Make a Good Quilting Fabric Collection?

As mentioned before, there are no particulars here. Reality is that a great quilting fabric collection is in the eye of the beholder. However, it never hurts to gain a few ideas of what you should look for when trying to stock a quilting fabric collection.

For starters, you should be adding anything to your collection that won’t be used around your house. For example, clothes children have outgrown or ruined and are sitting in the back of a closet waiting to go to Goodwill is a good place to start. There is nothing better than using material for quilting that isn’t only free, but has some kind of meaning behind it.

Making a jean quilt out of years worth of old jeans is another idea, and it’s easy to do while being able to incorporate your very own memories into it. Using old kitchen towels, aprons, curtains, baby items such as blankets and bibs, virtually anything you can get your hands on are all things that can net you a tremendous quilting fabric collection that is one of a kind.

You may be thinking that just because you have some kind of connection to these old materials, it won’t make the finished product anymore beautiful to someone else that you are making a quilt for. But in the end, because of your connection to these materials, your vision and outlook on the project becomes personal, resulting in a magnificent piece of work that you put a lot of heart and soul into.

And this very thing is what makes a quilt such a treasure in the first place! Quilts give you a chance to tell a story and there is no better way to do it than to use old material that you know the story behind.

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