Day one. Of my challenge to make a patchwork quilt in 7 days

my favourite coffee mug

Tasks for day one.

• Decide on a project,
• Findfabric

For my challenge I want to create a patchwork that I can be proud of but at the same time it needs to easy enough that a complete novice quilter like me can manage. I want to use the challenge to learn about patchwork and quilting
I plan to make either a cushion cover or table centre piece. The size will be 18 inches by 18 inches. Not too small that I won’t feel I accomplished anything, but not so big that I won’t get it finished in seven days.

I am going to use my favourite coffee mug as inspiration.

I am going to use unwanted clothes as a fabric source  and have been rummaging through cupboards and draws for some suitable fabric.
When deciding what to use I kept in mind that the clothes would need to have enough fabric between seams to enable me to cut out the pieces, I also wanted to use fabrics that would hold its shape. So that ruled out tee-shirts, jogging trousers, sweatshirts etc. That left mainly shirts. I don’t own many cotton dresses and Teenage girls are not fond of their mother cutting up their clothes to make soft furnishings… go figure!

my quilting fabric

The results aren’t great. The colours are a bit muted and not much in the way of patterns.

I have been searching the internet for ideas and advice and am amazed by the skill and creativity out there.such as Ruthie’s mini quilt with a sewing theme

I didn’t realise there was a whole new language to learn.
Here are some of the quilting terms I have come across

• FMQ Free Motion Quilting (this had me puzzled for a while)
• Paper piecing (still not quite sure what this is but I think it is like a template, please leave comment and correct me if I am wrong)
• Batting – Cotton, wool, or synthetic fiber wadded into rolls or sheets, used for stuffing furniture and mattresses and for lining quilts
• Blocks – Basic unit of a quilt top, usually square but can be rectangular or other shape
• Fat Eight – Pre-cut pieces of cotton cloth that measures about 18″ x 11″
• Fat Quarter – Pre-cut pieces of cotton quilting cloth, taken from one yard of fabric, cut in half lengthwise, and in half widthwise, rather than lengthwise, approximately 18″ x 22″

Ok I’ve learned a lot today and managed to sort out my fabric for day two i will decide on a final design and start cutting out the pieces I’ll let you know how I get on.

Any advice would be appreciated

Learn To Make A Patchwork Quilt In 7 Days

Image courtesy of debspoons FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Challenge:- create a patchwork quilt in seven days.

While sorting out some cupboards I came across a book on Patchwork quilting, that I had bought ages ago.

Looking at the pictures of lovely quilts, I imagined my home with cosy patchwork throws and gorgeous wall hangings.

I have a habit of getting great notions of creating beautiful things, but not following through. So I have set myself a challenge of learning how to create a patchwork quilt in 7 days. Writing this blog and showing the world my progress will make sure that I stick to it.

I haven’t picked up a needle and thread to make anything in over 20 years, and I have never done any patchwork. I wouldn’t be able to create a beautiful quilted wall hanging straight away. But if I start with something a bit less ambitious I might succeed.

For my first quilt I will use the fabric from unwanted clothing. I have a few reasons for this,

It is cheaper, more environment friendly, more traditional and if I wait until I get the chance to travel the 50 odd miles to a fabric shop, the notion will have left me and I will not start never mind complete my challenge.

You can help keep me motivated by leaving comments and advice (I can do with plenty of advice)

I’m off to rummage through wardrobes and draws for some fabric and then decide what to make.

I’ll have an update tomorrow,

Any advice will be appreciated