I have been wanting to try my hand at making a quilt. Most of the places that discuss quilting say they use a frame.Will someone send me instructions for making one without a frame. hefoltis

Lucky you. You got lots of good responses. Welcome to the cummunity.

Bikermom has given a very good explanation of how to baste your layers together using safety pins. I find this method works best for me. I make my pins about a fist apart. I prefer machine quilting - it's quicker, but if you want to hand quilt it's best to use a lap-quilting hoop (about 10-12" diameter) to keep your quilt taunt. The downside of this is that you have to keep re-hooping!! Hope this helps you. Good luck. *4U

I've learned the hard way, by the seat of my pants and with some help from the ladies here. I've never used a frame and have made some rather large quilts. I found that by using the 'quilters safety pins' it is a real help. When you have completed piecing everything together ,lay it out (on the floor, bed wherever you can reach. Put your backing wrong side up on the floor, then your batting, then you quilt top right side up, then start pinning from the center out, making sure to smooth it out as you go, Use lots of pins and take your time. Once you have it all pinned you can fold it up and take it wherever you need to and it won't slip apart. Then quilt it on your machine or by hand or whatever method you choose. Hope this helps, my last one came out pretty darn good if I do say so myself. have fun

Try watching these videos hefoltis, there are some good quilt shows on TV early morning usually on the Public TV stations around 8 AM I watch them and usually manage to pick up a helpful hint each time..
http://www.sewingwithnancytv.com/...
Rag quilts are fun to do and might be a good starter for you. Also I like the quilt as you go method as well...*4U

Thanks hefoltis 4 asking ques. thanks to all of U for giving such nice sites to go to I'm checking everyone out flowers to all of U

I am just learning the "Quilt As You Go" method. I LOVE that idea. Will try to find a URL for that. *4U ><>

Try "Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel". She has paperback instruction books at most fabric stores. I use her technique for years. In June I'm going to take a class by Betty Cotton with a newer technique. She also has a paperback book. Her technique is "quilt as you go". Meaning you quilt each block as you make them and then sew all the block together. I'm hoping to try it before I take her class so at least I am a little aware of what she is teaching. :) Looks really pretty. I will let you know.

1 comment

by jofrog2000 05 May 2008

http://www.quiltyard.com/whatisco...
This site will give you some info on Betty Cotton's method. The second has a pdf file for a placemat project using it. Plus a lot more projects.
http://www.americaquiltscreativel...
I haven't tried this yet, but it looks interesting.
Joanne ps will put the links in the bookmarks.

Here also is a great resource... Quilting info galore...

hefoltis, welcome, I don't think we've met before. I only do small quilts, so don't know anything about the frames. Hugs and a flower sweetie, and have fun making your quilt.

This should give you some basic information to get you started.;)

if you do not use a frame you will have to make a baby quilt or quilt a big quilt with the machine*