FINISHING A QUILT: Quilting And Binding - Simple Geometric Quilting

Design

Your quilting design is the pattern you create with your quilting stitches. This design can complement your quilt top by following its lines and shapes or it can be a different design altogether to create another dimension to your quilt. Your quilting design can include a lot of quilting, which will give it a lot of of texture, or you can quilt minimally and let the quilt top design shine. Whichever style you decide, make sure to check the maximum quilting distance on your batting - most range from 3 to 10”. This is the maximum distance apart your rows of quilting can be.

If you decide to hand quilt, your quilt design options are limited only by how much time you want to spend hand quilting. You aren’t bound by the limitations of a machine, and you can design your quilting pattern any way you like. Keep in mind that the more complex and close together your hand quilting pattern is, the longer it will take to finish.

If you’re a beginner and decide to machine quilt on your domestic sewing machine, I’d recommend keeping the design simple to avoid having to man-handle your quilt through the machine. Anything with angles requires adjusting the position of the quilt relative to your machine without lifting your needle and then rerolling; this can be awkward and time-consuming. Straight rows or a crosshatch design are typically a good place to start.

To transfer your quilting design to your quilt top, use your ruler and Clover Hera Marker to mark creases where you want your stitches to be. This ensures that your rows are straight and even. If you don’t have a Hera Marker, you can use the dull edge of a butter knife, tailor’s chalk or even painter’s tape. You’ll use the creases as a guide for your quilting rows.

Choosing a Quilting Method

There are two main ways of quilting a quilt: by hand or machine. Both have their pros and their cons, and the method you choose depends on your skills and aesthetic preference.

When I first taught myself to quilt, I wasn’t very confident on my sewing machine and didn’t have a walking foot, so I started out with hand quilting, It took some practice to get comfortable with the technique and the rhythm, but the method was much more forgiving functionally and aesthetically. I hand quilted exclusively for two years until I finally gave machine quilting a try. Machine quilting is definitely much faster and more durable, but I still love the meditative process of hand quilting.

Whichever method you choose, I’d recommend making some test swatches before you start on your first project. Make a mini quilt sandwich with some scraps, and try to machine quilting a few rows of stitches or sew a few hand-quilted shapes to get the feel for it.

Hand Quilting

If you decide to hand quilt, you’ll need the thimble, needle, thread and small scissors. Many hand quilters use a hoop to keep their quilt sandwich taut, but it’s not necessary.

To start, cut a length of thread within your arm span. Thread your needle and tie a quilter’s knot (or a triple knot if a quilter’s knot sounds intimidating) at the other end. Place your thimble on the middle finger of your dominant hand.

From the underside of your quilt, stick your threaded needle through the back of the quilt, bringing the needle up through the quilt top in the spot where you want to start your first row. Pull the thread through and tug slightly to pop your knot through the backing fabric, but not all the way through the batting. This hides the knot inside the quilt.

While you’re quilting, use your non-dominant hand underneath the quilt to support the fabric while you’re stitching. Be careful not to prick yourself with the needle.