Quilting
Quilting Tips & Basics
Quilting for beginners, step by step through small projects: the quarter-inch seam, rotary cutting, basting, straight-line quilting, binding and quilt-as-you-go.
Quilted Placemats Free Pattern (Learn Binding)
Four-Patch Mini Quilt Free Pattern (Learn the 1/4 in Seam)
About this collection
The quarter-inch test. Sew three 2 1/2 inch strips together and press. If the unit measures 6 1/2 inches, your seam is right. If not, move your needle or your guide a little and try again. It’s ten minutes that saves every quilt after it.
Cut safely and accurately. Always cut away from yourself, close the rotary blade after every cut, and keep your fingers on the ruler away from its edge. Square up the fabric edge before you cut strips.
Binding without tears. Cut 2 1/2 inch strips across the width of fabric, join them on the diagonal, press in half and sew to the front. The placemats project gives you four chances to get the mitred corners sharp.
Next steps. When these feel natural, make your first full quilt from Quilt Patterns or start with a baby quilt.
Questions about quilting basics
How do I use a rotary cutter safely?
Always cut away from yourself, close the blade after every cut, and keep your fingers on the ruler away from its edge.
How do I bind a quilt?
Cut 2 1/2 in strips across the width of fabric, join them, press in half, sew to the front with a 1/4 in seam, mitre the corners and hand stitch or machine stitch it to the back.
How much binding do I need?
Add up all four sides of the quilt, add 10 in, and divide by 40 to get the number of strips. Round up.
How big should the backing be?
At least 4 in bigger than the quilt top on every side, so 8 in wider and 8 in longer in total.
