Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great weekend. I'm very excited to share this final phase with y'all. I've had a blast with this Quilt Town fabric collection from Missouri Star Quilt Company. The fabric is super cute and was gifted to me from Missouri Star for the affiliate program. I knew a design had to be created high lighting 'Chuck." We all love Chuck,,,but I wanted a design that could be for a baby quilt or an adult. I designed the quilt in EQ8 and you can easily enlarge the quilt just be adding more borders or even enlarging the width of the borders. Sew simple but it's adorable. I'm mean seriously...you add "Chuck" and any design is super cute...right? :-) The design did incorporate Scrappy Half Square Triangles but that clever fast patch technique made it sew fun. In this phase you'll be sewing on your border...quilting...binding. I will mention before you begin to press your quilt top. Check your seams on back to make sure they are flat and going in the right direction before you quilt. Also....I love "wide back" fabrics. Why...I don't have to piece my backing for a baby quilt or lap size. You can order the width needed (plus a bit extra) for shrinkage. The fabric is so wide that it really makes quilting a breeze. No seam allowances to deal with when sewing/quilting. If you need to piece your back fabric the internet has many options as well. Also when it comes to rotary cutting your border strips you will measure the longest width and length then take the largest for your cutting length. I add a few extra inches to that and then square up once sewn/pressed. You also might feel a bit over whelmed when adding on your borders due to the weight. Here's a helpful hint that I always do...if possible place your ironing board along side your sewing table to help take the weight off the quilt when sewing. I also use this method when quilting too. Anything to help ease the weight off your machine will help with even stitching and less stress on you too. Remember there are no "quilting police" in my sewing room so always do what is easy for you. Plus...final tip...I promise :-) Take your time...take breaks to stretch your back when quilting. Trust me...:-) I have a pic below of how mine looks before quilting. I ordered batting and hope it comes in soon. But in the meantime...have y'all seen the new collection "Welcome to Quilt Town?" Oh my gosh y'all...it's super cute and Chuck again looks pretty handsome as always. The colors and prints are beautiful and sew inspirational. So check back soon...we have a super cute wall hanging to share featuring this stunning collection. You know me...there is always a "scrap-a-long" happening in my sewing room. Enjoy!
Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
MSQC Affiliate
Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)
Duck...Duck...Chuck...
Adding Borders...
* Press and square up your quilt.
* Rotary cut your strips 2 1/2 x top/bottom width of your quilt top.
* Sew with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance.
* Press and square up if needed.
* Repeat same method for the left/right sides.
Tip...If possible a solid or a simple print is usually the best start for a beginner. You will most likely be joining 2 strips together for the length of this quilt. You can do a miter joint when adding if desired.
But...if you fell in love with the Quilt Town Triangles print like me then here's a helpful hint for you...
First...I love to use my rulers to make sure the fabric design is straight as I am rotary cutting.
Then,,,due to my O.C.D. "only Cat does"...I decided to join my strips by trying to match up the prints and just sew a 1/4" seam to secure. It's not perfect but it works. I also joined the seams with the quilt so my border seam did not stitck out. :-)
After you have your borders sewn as desired then you will layer your backing fabric...right side down...then batting and quilt top right side up (facing you).
Pin & quilt as desired.
Tip...as you are pinning...make sure your backing fabric is smooth on back as you go along.
Once you have quilted then add your binding as desired.
There are so many quilting tutorials to watch if you are new to quilting. I know MSQC has many tips and techniques on their website too.
I for one will be machine quilting along with my Grandsons favorite old school method of 'hand tying."
Remember...have fun...enjoy every moment and be always be proud of your accomplishments.
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