Articles By P.S. Orr
Easy quilting seems to be a misnomer because what is really easy about quilting since this task usually takes many hours to complete, depending on what you're quilting and how big it is. But you can create a quilt project in under 3 hours if you're willing to forego all the hand quilting that is valued by many people. For projects like afghans, lap robes or quilts for kids, producing an attractive item in less time is a value in itself. Here's some tips for easy quilting that you may want to consider the next time you want to create something quick.1. Determine the size of your project. If you want to create something like a lap robe or bed cover, simply jot down the measurements that you are planning on following. Something simple like a lap robe or afghan will require much less time and planning than a bed cover, although all of these creations can be completed in less than 3 hours if you plan correctly.
2. Determine the material you will use. If you want to create a fast project, simply choose the widest material you can find so that there is no need to piece the top or back of the item. For lap robes and afghans, you can find new material that is 60" wide. Choose to make the item no wider than this and you already have your front or back panel widths intact.3. Choose the internal batting you will use. For a lighter coverlet, you can use a flannel sheet which is easy to fit in between your two pieces of cloth. If you can pick up some cotton batting, but make sure it is as wide as your cover so that you don't have to piece it, unless you want to.
3. Cut your material for the front panel, back panel and batting. Lay the back panel on a sewing board or floor area. Then place the batting on the back panel. Complete the layering with the front panel on top.4. Choose a sharp cross stitch or other type of sturdier needle with a large opening in the head portion. Thread it with either 3 to 4 strands of cross stitching thread or use some crocheting thread. Beginning in the middle of the material, sew down into the material and loop it back up, Snip the threads off evenly about 1 inch from the coverlet. Tie in a double knot. Evenly space this same procedure throughout the cover as closely together as you think it needs to be to allow for washing and common use without bunching.
5. Use double sided binding tape material to finish up the cover. Position the binding tape over the edges of the cover so that both sides are evenly covered. Then, simply use your sewing machine to stitch up the edges so they look finished and strengthened.
Voila! There you have a throw or quilt in less than 3 hours. You can use novelty material such as printed cars or fairy tale characters to make a coverlet that you kids will love. Or you can make a simple, but attractive quilt top that will add a new look to any bedroom.
