Harris - Quiltessential: a visual directory of contemporary patterns, fabrics and colors

Editor: Liz Jones

Commissioning Editor: Isheeta Mustafi

Art Editor: Jennifer Osborne

Art Director: Emily Portnoi

Design and illustration: Natalie Clay

Technical Adviser: Sara Cook, Brighton Fashion and Textile School and Joanna Corney

Photography: Michael Wicks

Picture research: Diane Leyman

Cover Design: Emily Portnoi

INTRODUCTION

I vividly remember being 10 years old and absolutely fascinated that my 14-year-old cousin had a sewing machine and could make things. I watched her cut the fabric, pin it together, and sew the seamsentranced the entire time. I knew right then that I wanted to learn to sew. Three years later, when the opportunity presented itself, along with a lot of urging from my mother, I took home economics in the seventh grade. Ive been sewing ever since.

Quilting entered my life relatively recently. Amazed and inspired by the variety of contemporary quilts I was seeing on the Internet, I jumped right in. I knew little to nothing about quilting except that the seams should be " (6 mm). Confident in my sewing ability, but lacking any real quilting knowledge, I started a queen-sized bed quilt. As nave as I was about quilting, I learned a lot working on that first quilt project, especially from the mistakes I made along the way. As frustrating as those errors were, I successfully finished the quilt and started on the next one. Again, I was hooked.

Making a quilt can seem like a daunting prospect, but it is really quite simple. Anyone who has the will to make a quilt and is armed with a little knowhow can do this. My goal with this book is to help you get from the idea of a quilt to the reality of it. I have compiled information on the multiple aspects of quilting and put it together in this reference manual that will have you designing and constructing your own quilts in no time at all.

While the book does not include specific quilting projects, I cover all the basics you need to think about when making a quilt. From what fabrics to use, how to develop your color palette, and different quilting styles and designs, to ways to piece and assemble the layers, its all here. Ive also interviewed a handful of talented contemporary quilters whose work will inspire you creatively to keep sewing and to keep quilting.

QuiltEssential will give you the information and the confidence you need to create your own project from start to finish. Its my sincere hope that it will also inspire you to make quilts that will be treasured for years to come.

Erin Burke Harris

QUILTING TOOLS

The tools on these pages should get you started. You can then gradually add to your toolkit as you work through different projects.

SCISSORS

Youll need one pair of scissors for cutting fabric 8" (20 cm) dressmakers shears are a good choice. A second pair of scissors should be used when cutting paper patterns, plastic templates, and the like. Embroidery scissors or small snips are helpful for trimming threads close to the fabric.

ROTARY CUTTER

While quilting fabric can certainly be cut with scissors, using a rotary cutter is faster and more efficient. These tools have extremely sharp blades, which makes slicing through fabric easy, but care is required when using them. Dull blades should be replaced promptly to avoid injury.

Rotary cutters are available in a wide range of styles, all with different handles and safety mechanisms. They also come with blades ranging in size from 18 mm to 60 mm, with 45 mm being the most common. Larger blades are for more utilitarian cutting, while smaller blades work well on curves and little pieces.

SELF-HEALING CUTTING MAT

These gridded cutting mats are necessary when cutting fabric using a rotary cutter. A 24" 36" (61 91 cm) mat is a good choice to start withit will allow you plenty of room to cut large pieces of fabric, but isnt so large that it wont fit on a small table. Smaller mats are helpful for traveling to classes, but larger sizes are wonderful if you have the table space to accommodate them.

ACRYLIC QUILTERS RULERS

Also essential for rotary cutting fabric, quilters rulers are manufactured in myriad shapes and sizes. These gridded rulers are clear acrylic, which allows you to see through them and line up the fabric for cutting. The most basic and useful size is a 6" 24" (15 61 cm) rectangular ruler, which can be used for almost all your cutting needs. Over time you are likely to accumulate a collection of different quilting rulers. Square rulers of different sizes are helpful when squaring up blocks, and other specialty shapes may be useful for particular patterns.

PINS

Straight pins are essential for piecing. Sharp, thin pins with glass heads will easily pierce the fabric without leaving a large hole and can be ironed without fear of them melting. Store them in a pincushion and replace them when they become dull. Quilters safety pins are needed for pin basting. Their curved side allows you to easily maneuver them through all layers of the quilt sandwich and back to the top.

IRON AND IRONING BOARD

A steam iron with multiple heat settings is crucial for ironing wrinkles from fabrics and pressing seams. A standing ironing board works well for all ironing purposes. Table-top and space-saving versions are great for small workspaces.

SEWING MACHINE

Any machine with straight and zigzag stitches and good tension will work for piecing a quilt. If you plan on machine quilting your projects, look for a machine that can accommodate a walking foot and has free-motion capability. A " (6 mm) patchwork presser foot is extremely helpful.

SEWING NEEDLES

Universal machine needles in sizes 75/11 or 80/12 are suitable for piecing most quilting cottons. Heavier fabrics and different fibers may require specialty needles. Remember to replace your machine needles frequentlya good rule of thumb is to use a new needle for each new project.

For hand sewing, quilters often use sharps and betweens. Sharps are medium length with a sharp point and are used for general hand sewing. Betweens are shorter than sharps and are often used for hand quilting because their short length allows for quick, small stitches. Both come in a variety of sizesthe larger the number, the smaller the needle.