Layer Cakes - Quilting Class

I have always wanted to try quilting. So I signed myself and my Mother-in-Law up for a basic layer cake quilting course. This blog will follow our progress:

 

Pre Course Work:

 

• Cut your fabric into 6.5 inch Squares using a cutting board and rotary cutter. (Ours were  already cut up as they came as part of the course fees.)
• I am making a 6 x 6 square quilt & so I need 36 Squares.
• My Mother-in-Law is making a 5 X 8 rectangular quilt & so she is using 40 Squares.
• Arrange them until you are happy with the layout.

TIP1: Take a photo of the layouts as you do them. They look different on screen and when you go back and chooser the one you like you can be sure to be able to quicky re-create the earlier design.

 

TIP2: Use an old sheet or piece of fabric 36 inches  by 36 inches and pin your fabric squares to it in the arrangement you want.

 

TIP 3: Label your squares I used little red sticker you can buy at the stationary store.

 

A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6

B1-B2-B3-B4-B5-B6
C1-C2-C3-C4-C5-C6
D1-D2-D3-D4-D5-D6
E1-E2-E3-E4-E5-E6
F1-F2-F3-F4-F5-F6

 

1)                                                                              2)

3)

First Day of the Course - Sewing them together...

• Starting from the top right hand square
• Place A6 on A5 Right sides together and then in the same manner
• B6 on B5
• C6 on C5
• D6 on D5
• E6 on E5
• F6 on F5

 Now with your sewing machine....

• Now sew on the right hand edge a 1/4 inch seam. Do not cut the thread before sewing the right-hand edge of B6 and B5 in the same manner. They will be connected by the thread. Continue untill all six are completed.
•  At this stage they resemle bunting. A long string of cotton with square flags on it. :)
•  Open them up along the seam.
• Make sure they are all in the right place - the thread can get twisted!
• and iron them flat ensuring that the seams are flat.(You can iron them to one side or open them out - it's up to you)
• Next place A4 on A3 Right sides together and then in the same manner
• B4 on B3
• C4 on C3
• D4 on D3
• E4 on E3
• F4 on F3
• Repeat the "Now with your sewing machine" stage.

• Next place A2 on A1 Right sides together and then in the same manner
• B2 on B1
• C2 on C1
• D2 on D1
• E2 on E1
• F2 on F1
• Repeat the "Now with your sewing machine" stage.

Now you will have 3 strips of 2x6 squares.



Next Step

• Starting from the top right hand side again
• Place A6 and A5 on top of  A3 and A4 Right sides together and then in the same manner
• B6/B5 on B3/B4
• C6/C5 on C3/C4
• D6/D5 on D3/D4
• E6/E5 on E3/E4
• F6/F5 on F3/F4

 Now with your sewing machine....

• Now sew on the right hand edge a 1/4 inch seam. Do not cut the thread before sewing the right-hand edge of B6 and B5 in the same manner. They will be connected by the thread. Continue untill all six are completed.
•  At this stage you will have sewn 2 rows together and so when opened out you will have 4x6 squares :)
•  Open them up along the seam.
• Make sure they are all in the right place
• and iron them flat ensuring that the seams are flat.(You can iron them to one side or open them out - it's up to you)

to be continued...