When I was about 16, we were visiting my Grandma Lucille for a few months during the summer. I don’t think I had ever thought of quilting as a hobby or quilts as something people made. To me a quilt was an item you bought at the store. So when I saw my grandma sewing little pieces of fabric together, I was intrigued. I had become more interested at that time in crafts, especially cross stitching and friendship bracelets and this whole “quilting” thing seemed fun. So I asked my grandma to teach me. I think she was pretty tickled to have one of her granddaughters finally ask her about it. She immediately started showing me her method. We measured and cut out pieces of strong cardboard to use as our template. Then she showed me how to trace and cut out my fabric.
Since then I’ve upgraded my template from cardboard to acrylic (it lasts quite a bit longer) but I still think of my grandma when I trace out all those little pieces.
So let’s talk about the supplies you’re going to need in order to get started with hand piecing! And before you go and buy anything, check out your sewing space, because you might just have something that will work.
I use an acrylic 2″ template for most of my flower garden quilts (pictured above). I found a great pack of acrylic templates on Amazon that included several different sizes. You can find it here.
I know it seems scary to use a pencil on your fabric…I promise it will be ok!! Any old pencil will do.
Personally, I ADORE my hera marker. I use it for so many things. Mostly for marking quilts when I hand quilt them, but also for hand piecing! You can find my favorite one here.
The size of the needle will depend a lot on your personal preference. How easy it is for you to thread and handle. I recommend not using too long of a needle so you can get your small stitches done more easily. My go-to needle is a size 4 embroidery needle and is about 1 1/2″ long. You might want to raid your needle stash and try a few different sizes out before you find the perfect fit for you.
As far as I’m concerned most cotton thread will work perfectly well for hand piecing. I’ve used many different brands. Currently, I’m using a spool of Coats & Clark that I purchased at Walmart, but really, any 100% cotton thread will work well.
I love my Omnigrid rulers!! You can use any ruler that will give you a good 1/4″ line to follow. You want a smaller size so that it’s portable and more functional for your small pieces. My favorite can be found here.
Keep reading…
For Michael Miller Fabrics
I used this collection to make a beautiful baby quilt.
Let’s talk about fabric. When Grandma took me to Joanne’s to pick out fabric for my very first quilt, I think that was when I was really hooked. All the rows and stacks of gorgeous fabric were calling my name and that was it. Picking out fabric for a “Grandma’s Flower Garden” quilt can be so fun. You can work with one collection of fabrics or just raid your fabric stash and go scrappy. My grandma made all of her granddaughters a quilt for when they were grown and all of them are scrappy and they are all so uniquely beautiful. So really, just go for it and you can’t go wrong.
Once you’ve picked out some beautiful fabric and gathered your other supplies, you are ready to get started!! Lay out your fabric on a clean flat surface. You can use a cutting mat if you would like, but a table works just as well. Iron your fabric and lay it out flat on the table. With your template and pencil, mark the shape of the template onto your fabric. Nest the shapes so that you utilize your fabric and don’t have too much waste.
See how I nest my template against the previous shape so there’s no waste of fabric.
Cut out your shapes with scissors or shears along your pencil marked lines.
Once you’ve cut out your hexagons, (or at least enough to get started) pull out your ruler and hera marker. Mark a 1/4″ seam all around each hexagon.
Next, make a plan. Lay out some of your hexagons and decide where you want them in the quilt. Are you matching certain fabrics in rows or going scrappy?? Lay everything out to visualize it before you begin to sew. NOTE: Snap a picture of this layout before you start. It will be a great reference for you later.
Next you will start to sew your pieces together! This is the fun part. Watch my video tutorials on YouTube to learn how to sew and press your pieces. Click the link below.
This is what the back should look like after you spin your seams and press. Pretty, right??
Just keep stitching until you have achieved your design and size. Find or make a cute bag to carry around all your supplies and stitch away whenever and wherever you are. It’s a slow and steady project, but oh so much fun.
I’m currently working on a pattern that will give you instructions on how to make the baby quilt that I’m making. It will have fabric requirements and instructions for a beautiful border. Make sure you join my friends list to find out more.
Enjoy my dears!!
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