Learning to Quilt

So... since I have been known to be somewhat crafty with smaller projects (right Mom?) I decided it was time to learn how to make something that might be around for awhile.
I am not a knitter, nor am I interested in being one, so I decided that trying quilting would be cool. You know you're old(er) when quilting is cool. Anyway there was a class being taught locally so I signed up. After the first few classes I decided that this was something I could do and I asked Nick for an early Christmas present- a sewing machine. This one has all the bells and whistles needed for quilting- start to finish. Cool, huh?


This is probably hard to see but it is the first pattern I am learning- it is called "split rail".


This is the mat you cut fabric on. It provides multiple measurements and is cut proof- even with the sharp razor edge.


That is the razor you cut fabric with (also known as a rotary tool) and a ruler that provides more measurements and a straight edge for cutting with the razor. No scissors needed for this type of quilting!


This is 4 pieces of fabric sewn together with 1/4 inch seams. This is the back side. It is called strip piecing- or if you are saying it too fast as I have done in the past strip teasing- LOL. Every time you finish a piece like this they all need to be ironed. There is a LOT of ironing involved in quilting. That's the part I would be happy to skip. BUT my instructor is teaching me the right way so....... I iron.


This is after ironing- back side again.


And this is the front side of it after the strip piecing has been cut into 8x8 subsectioned pieces and then sewn together again- see how the blocks are going in different directions now?


More ironing after those sections are sewn together.


Then you sew all of those pieces together and guess what- iron it again! Looks like Boomer was taking credit for making this quilt! Hmm..


But it is all mine. Look at the maroon and the darkest green- see the steps the patterns makes- thats split rail.
TaDaaaa!


I still have to make the border, add the batting, and do the backing but due to winter weather and holidays quilting class has been on hold. I don't know enough about it to try it on my own.
And that is why I will be taking a trip to JoAnns soon. I will pick out new fabrics to start a new quilt with the same pattern but different colors. By the time I have that together quilting classes should be going again and I can learn the rest of the process. Cool, huh?
Thanks again for all the JoAnns gifts cards for my bday! More quilting to come........