quilting sewing machine foot

quilting sewing machine foot

How to Make a Commemorative Quilt

Since our nation's infancy, commemorative quilts have been a part of our national conversation. From American flag quilts to double wedding ring patterns, quilts have been used as a platform to make a statement. Quilting declined after the 1960's, as women entered the workforce and their spare time was eaten up. Since the Great Recession began in 2008 though, sewing of all types is on the rise. Our nation is once again picking up an old American tradition. Unfortunately, quilting is no longer taught to us as children, so it is up to us to learn as adults. If you follow these steps you can begin to learn the intricacies of quilting.

1) Choose a quilting pattern that commemorates the life event, political statement or holiday that you are trying to memorialize. There are dozens of websites where free quilt patterns can be found. Fabric stores also carry patterns.

2) Choose an appropriate fabric. Most quilts are made from quilting cotton, but other fabrics can be used too. Crazy quilts, for example, are often made from satins and velvets. You will want to choose a fabric that will not fade or shrink and can stand up to normal wear and tear. Don't forget to buy batting and fabric for backing. The thicker the batting, the warmer the quilt. Your backing material will need to be at least 4 inches larger than your quilt face.

3) Cut out your quilt blocks. Be sure to cut out enough blocks of each color to complete your quilt. The more colors you choose, the more complex the pattern.

4) Iron your blocks and crease the edges with a 1/4 inch fold. Be sure that the fold is straight. Sew your blocks together in strips. Set your sewing machine to 1/4 inch seam allowance. Most beginners don't realize there is a difference in the seam allowance of clothing and quilting. The 1/4 inch seam allowance will ensure that your quilt has a smooth surface. Now sew your strips together to form the face of the quilt.

5) Lay all three layers of your quilt out on top of each other. The backing material should be laid down on the bottom; your quilt face should be laid face down on top of the backing and the batting material on top.

6) Sew together your layers using a sewing machine. Sew three sides of the quilt together completely, but on the fourth side, leave a two foot opening. Turn your quilt right side out and finish the edge by hand.

7) Sew the layers together using matching or contrasting thread. Begin in the middle of the quilt and work your way out. You can do this by hand or by machine.

The Patchwork Heritage quilt is an excellent example of a modern day commemorative quilt. To learn more about the Patchwork Heritage quilt and how it helps charity, visit blanket.

About the Author

Blanket America is about more than blankets. It is about changing the way charity and business works. For every quilt sold, Blanket America will donate a blanket to an American in need.

Darning & Quilting Foot for Sewing Machines--- Low-BAR

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QUILTING Darning EMBROIDERY Foot for Sewing Machines

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Machine quilting, what type of foot do I need for my sewing machine?

I'm using a regular foot and regular stitch. The stitches are bunching up the back of my quilt, what am I doing wrong? I'm a newbie quilter!

For quilting in the ditch or straight lines, the Even Feed/Walking foot will help - it works like a feed dog for the top layer and can be used when you have layers of fabic that tend to shift as you are sewing. You can find a generic at JoAnn Fabric for about $20.

For free-motion quilting you need a Darning Foot/Free Motion Foot and have the feed dogs disengaged. On some machines, there is a function that lowers the feed dogs and on some there is a plastic cover that snaps over the feed dogs. If the machine has neither of these, then you can set the stitch length to zero to make the feed dogs less aggressive.

For Piecing - a leader will help when starting the seam.

http://www.graspr.com/videos/QuikTip-Leader-Fabric-with-Assembly-Sewing

If you can change the needle position and use the regular foot you have and stitch a 1/4" seam, no other foot is needed. If you cannot, then you should purchase a 1/4" foot - the have them with the sewing machine display at Walmart or JoAnn Fabrics.

If your sewing machine is mechanical and not computorized, you can use a magnetic seam guide or tape down several layers of painter's blue tape to the bed of the sewing machine to help guide the fabric and help achieve an even seam.

When you get near the end of the seam, place your left hand close to the presser foot so the fabic does not kick to the left.

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Machine Quilting Made Easy

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Freestyle Machine Embroidery

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