Quilt in a Day Forums

I’m new to quilting and have begun working on my first quilt top.
The pattern I’ve chosen is the Triple Irish Chain. I’m almost finished with the top, but I don’t know how to complete it. I find the DVD demos combined with the books are easiest to follow. But, I didn’t know if any “Quilt-in-a day” DVD’s go into detail about finishing the quilts.

Any direction/advice you can give me, I’d greatly appreciate it!
Thank you, SouthernBelle275

Hi southernBelle, welcome to this wonderful forum!!! You will have so much fun here. Check out all the discussion groups and see what everyone's up to. And join in the SewIns, they are lots of fun and you can get to know a lot of people.
Sorry I can't answer your question, someone will be along soon that will have an answer.
Have you lived in Ebensburg long? My best friend from college was from there. She doesn't live there any longer, but I used to visit her parents with her way back then <smile>. Really small world. Oh, yes, I got stuck there in a snow storm one year on my way home from Maryland. Fond memories of that town.
HUGS, carol/kittyquilt

Hi SouthernBelle, Welcome! Looks like you're just a stones throw from me! I'm over here in Punxsutawney. Sorry I can't help you either but just wait and someone will be along that can. I check this forum at least twice a day and have learned so much from all these wonderful ladies. I'll be watching to see how you make out........jan in Punxsy

Do you mean how to quilt it? I think in El's demo's she shows options on the quilting part. I don't have that particular book or DVD so I can't answer you specificlly. Sorry.

hey there Southernbelle, welcome.... I don't know if there are any dvd's that answer your question.... when you say finish it are you wanting to put it all together.... make a quilt sandwich? batting and backing and sew it together?

http://www.quilting101.com/making/quilt ... embly.html

this site helps me a lot....

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/3794 ... -quilt.htm

here is a video that may help.... I googled quilt sandwich video

good luck and be sure to post a picture so we can all see your wonderful quilt
Chriss

Can you ask for advice...? Oh honey, around here you will most likely get more than you'll ever need...LOL! Seriously, though, this is a great bunch and many of us will chime on in anytime.

What part of the process are you stuck on? Has your top got borders on it? Or do you need help getting your parts stacked, pinned/basted? Or are you stuck on the quilting part? Let us know so we can help you out!

Here's a great tutorial, covering everything about what to do once your quilt top is done:

http://anyonecanquilt.typepad.com/my_we ... g-101.html

Thank you everyone for all your advice! I'm amazed at all the different locations you are in.

The quilt does have a boarder, and I recently learned how to make my own binding. You are right; I am stuck on stacking the parts and pinning them. Do I need to make the fabric tight, or just pin to hold in place? I've got large safety pins, but should I use curved instead? And finally the quilting part, I've practiced a little with the meandering stitch and found the material didn't move as freely as I thought it would. I think I need more practice . What other types of quilting stitches would you suggest for a beginner, other than channel? I just purchased a walking foot too.

I’ve had the good fortune to live in and visit many cities, states and even countries. After many years of moving, I’ve decided to settle down and make Ebensburg my home. I’ve only been here a few years; it is a wonderful town where the streets still roll-up at sunset, and if watch closely on a very snowy day, you just may see an Amish horse and sled go by.

Thanks again for your replies!
SouthernBelle275

I got a walking foot earlier this year; it makes all the difference! Get out some larger scraps of fabric, layer them with batting as you would a quilt, and practice, practice, practice!

I had to play with the tension settings on my machine and learn how to secure the quilting threads without making a big mess of tangled threads on the back.

Layering and basting is my least favorite stage of quilt making. I can say Formula 505 spray adhesive and *small* safety pins (one inch) with a Kwick Klip tool make it easier. I don't know that large safety pins are a good idea; they might make too many ripples in the fabric.

QIAD has a book on machine quilting that was very helpful for me, but I still have a lot to learn...

SouthernBelle, I too would recommend spray basting with a temporary glue rather than pins, but I know others would disagree... I've posted pics here on how I do it:

http://www.quiltinaday.com/community/to ... 1906#11906

As for quilting, if it is a small quilt, and you want it easy, I think I'd recommend the walking foot and stitching either channels or in the "ditches" between the blocks. If it is a large quilt, I honestly believe that free motion quilting is easier (and quicker) than using the walking foot, but it depends on how confident you are with your free motion quiliting...

Remember, there aren't really a lot of right and wrongs here. Once you've done it a few times you'll start to feel what's right for you. Just have fun while you try things out, and remember that it is probably by making mistakes that we learn the most