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The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Quilting is certainly no exception.

Moda may not be a household name for the average person, but for the quilter it is well-known indeed. Since 1975, Moda has been producing quality fabrics for quilting projects and specialty notions as well. Moda fabrics and notions are available at your local fabric store, quilting shop, or online retailer and its well worth seeking out this special line of quilting products.

Moda distinguishes itself with a long roster of designers, both in-house and independents and one glance at their line of quilting fabrics and its clear Moda hires only the best. You’ll find well-known designers such as American Jane, April Cornell, Sandy Gervais, and Urban Chicks among the Moda stable of designers. Other Moda designers are Amy Bradley, Erin Michael, Jackie Musso, and Cheri Strole. Moda also features fabric basics as well as seasonal, batiks and many other choices in their selections for quilters.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on Quilting now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.

Moda has won the heart of many quilters nation-wide and internationally with their consistent understanding of the kinds of designs quilters want to use for their projects. Many of the Moda designs have a uniquely American look and feel to them, which is only fitting since quilting is a craft which has its roots deep in American history. Moda also distributes a huge list of books and a wide variety of quilting notions from their Dallas warehouse. The company reveres its retailers and only sells wholesale. You can investigate Moda designs online and find many online retailers that will sell you Moda products.

While customers appreciate the line of notions that Moda distributes, it is the quilting fabrics that have made Moda’s name in the industry. Most of the Moda line is given over to traditional cotton fabrics, but they also produce a line of vibrant wools. Browsing through their design line, you’ll enjoy clever designs like Building Blocks or Building Blocks ABCs with its all-over sprinkling of letters. Or how about the Moda design line of Serendipity with its striped and plaid fabrics on muted colors? Take a look at Tropical Camouflage with its bright colors that will make you feel you are on a Caribbean vacation every time you work on your quilting project. Moda excels at designs like Bound to the Prairie with its earthy feel, or fun fabrics like Oodles of Poodles, another cheerful selection. The Moda line also includes such fun designs as Nell’s Flower Shop, a gorgeous collection of florals, and Funky Monkey, with pictures of, you guessed it, sock monkeys all over. You might also enjoy investigating Sunflowers of Provence or Flamingo Run or Critter Camp for your quilting projects. (Not only are the Moda fabrics beautiful, their names are delightful also.)

For the very best of quality in fabric and design, you’ll want to look to Moda for your quilting design needs first. You’re sure to find something in the Moda line that will capture your heart and make your next quilting project an absolute joy to work on. With a Moda product, the next quilt you make will be your favorite and most satisfying yet.

There’s a lot to understand about Quilting. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

The best course of action to take sometimes isn’t clear until you’ve listed and considered your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what the experts think is significant.

Originating from the French word appliquer, appliqué means to ?put on.? It is a quilting basic technique that includes cutting pieces of fabric of various designs, sizes, and shapes and sewing them onto a background material. Appliqué quilting expresses a quilter’s artistic potentials and yields beautiful, pictographic quilts. However, some quilters often think that appliquéing is so hard a technique and therefore should be left to the master quilters. How afraid they are to try their hand on it. The truth is, appliquéing is not as difficult as people imagine. It is quite easy to learn and, if mastered, opens so many creative quilting possibilities.

So how do you exactly make appliqués? Here’s how:

1. Prepare the design pattern. You can do this by tracing the design you want on to a freezer paper using a marker. Note that you have to draw the reverse side of the design. Then, cut out the pattern. Do not add a seam allowance.

2. Place the shiny side of the cut-out freezer paper on the wrong side of the fabric. Next, press it with a hot iron. Take note: press. Do not slide the iron over the freezer paper. Note that the freezer paper will adhere to the fabric, but it can be peeled off easily.

The information about Quilting presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Quilting or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

3. Cut out the fabric following the pattern of the freezer paper. Make a seam allowance of about 1/8 to1/4 inch. Then, fold the seam allowance over the edges of the pattern. If you are dealing with curves, you have to notch the allowance all the way around to make smooth, rounded curves. Again, press the seam allowance. After which, remove the freezer paper.

4. Begin sewing the appliqué pieces to the background fabric. Remember to first sew the bigger pieces onto which you will lay and stitch the smaller pieces. For example, if you are doing a butterfly appliqué, first stitch the wings, then follow it with the body. You have to keep a stitching order in attaching appliqué pieces.

5. Make small stitches. Whether you do hand or machine appliqué, it is important to make small stitches because they prove to be stronger and less visible in the quilt. You can use several kinds of stitches in appliqués, although the most widely used is blind stitch. If you are using a machine, you can do zigzag stitch, satin stitch, among others.

6. Be careful with curves. Approaching curves is relatively easy when hand-sewing. It can be quite a concern, though, when using a machine. To perfectly machine-stitch curves, decrease your speed, make a few stitches, then put the needle down and slightly reposition the fabric. Doing so will avoid gaps in between stitches. Make fewer stitches and do more fabric repositioning as you approach tighter curves.

Your first attempt at appliqué quilting may not produce your desired result. But don’t be disheartened; rather keep this as your motivation to do better each time you do appliqué. Before you begin with actual appliquéing, it would help to get a few scraps and practice your stitching. What you need to watch out for are puckered background, uneven stitches, and sloppy appliqué pieces.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Do you ever feel like you know just enough about Quilting to be dangerous? Let’s see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from Quilting experts.

Choosing the fabric materials is one of the most critical decisions in quilt-making. This is because there are so many things to consider ? the colors, textures, patterns, styles, characteristics, etc. ? all of which are important in quilting.

Here are some random tips.

Quality

First, be sure your quilting materials are colorfast, whether these are old scraps you had been saving to use on your quilt or new fabrics you have bought specifically for your project. Wash a piece to check if the colors don’t run.

Is the fabric strong enough? Too tightly-woven fabrics are difficult to quilt. Fabrics that are woven loose, on the other hand, are good candidates for rips, tearing, and damage.

Pure cotton had been proven to be the best materials yet for quilts. Man-made fibers (synthetics) and some cotton-combination fabrics are difficult to handle. They have a tendency to curl at the most inopportune places.

The good point, however, is that these fabrics have more options in terms of colors and designs than plain old cottons. The colors are more brilliant and designers have done more work (and experiments) on them.

If you are an experienced sewer, you may be able to surmount these handling difficulties. These same difficulties are also present in knitted, stretch and crepe fabrics.

Color and fabric design

Expert quilters always remind beginners to choose colors and combinations well. This may sound easy but once you have your finished quilt, it is not easy to undo things.

People declare the best judgment call is to trust your instincts. It might also be good to add some time-tested formulas from the arts and from general consensus.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Quilting? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

It is said that blue-based colors are ?cold? and that red and yellow-based colors are ?warmer?. Black will dim any color next to it, and white brightens any color placed side by side with it.

Generally, people are said to be energized and active with warm colors. With cool colors ? like green and blue ? people tend to become calmer and relaxed.

This is an important consideration if you are intending to give away your quilt to someone important to you (a friend, a loved one, or your boss perhaps). It is worthwhile noting their prospective responses to your present.

If it is for your personal use, you may also have to consider your own feelings of your finished work.

Backing materials and quantity

Always try to have your backing materials similar to your top quilt material in weight and color. The rationale for this is ease of sewing. It is difficult to sew through uneven levels of materials or materials of unlike textures, thickness or weave.

Buy a little more than what you need for your quilt. This is to preclude any eventuality of your running out of materials. The extra fabric you bought will always have some use for you in the future, especially now that you are into quilting.

Your choice

In the end, your fabric choice will depend on your design, the colors you want, and the quality of your work. Of course, once you become a confident quilter, you can always choose any fabric that catches your fancy and imagination.

Quilting is such an exciting art and there is no limit to what you want to create.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing–the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

If you’re seriously interested in knowing about Quilting, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about Quilting.

What is quilting?
Why is it popular in cold countries than in tropical ones?
What makes is special?

For beginners who do not have any faint idea about quilting, introduction to this old but growing craft can elicit a lot of questions. The following are some of the answers, including a brief history of the craft.

The craft

The dictionary defines quilting as a method of securing or wadding of two layers of fabric, usually with a soft, thick padding (cotton, wool, etc) between them, by way of stitching them together.

In the old days, this extra padded fabric is used to make garments for insulation against the cold. Later, the stitching that keeps the stuffing evenly distributed provided the opportunity for quilters to express their artistic inclinations through designs and colors.

Very old quilts were found in the mountains of Mongolia dating as far back as the 1st century. A wadded carpet found has a center quilted in an overall pattern of spirals and bordered with diamond designs and animal shapes.

The patterns and the techniques of those old quilts are still in use today and are already part of the quilter’s catalog of techniques.

Coverage

The first quilts were thought to have originated from ancient Egypt, went all over Asia, and then to Europe in the years of the Crusades in 11th century.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Quilting story from informed sources.

In the U.S., it first became popular for use in petticoats and comforters. At the end of the 18th century, American quilters were already using colored fabrics sewn on the outer layers known as the appliqué.

Later, the patchwork patterns became widely used as well.

When emigrants from Europe brought over their quilting skills with them on their new home, quilting flourished in the U.S. in the colonial era. American women learned to create patchwork quilts from fabric scraps.

African-American women began quilting as well and continued the art form to this day.
Their quilts have been much praised for their bold, asymmetrical designs and bright colors, usually with tied knots.

When there was a rush to migrate to the West, the quilting patterns reflected the new experiences then that included designs and names such as wagon wheels and log cabins.

Picture quilts and friendship quilts became widely known, too. The picture quilts have designs that looked like pictures were sewn on the quilt itself. Friendship quilts are ?albums’ of special events like weddings, births and anniversaries.

The most famous friendship quilt is the 1987 AIDS Memorial quilt. It contained the names and dates of persons who died of AIDS.

The American quilt blossomed in the 19th century. (Early 18th century samples have largely disappeared.) This was the time where several traditional patchwork patterns have evolved and are still popular today: Sunburst, Sawtooth, Log Cabin, Bear’s Paw, etc.

Some of the most compelling works of art are the quilts made by Amish women. These were utilitarian quilts with geometric designs that are color-rich and are now much-sought-after by collectors.

Today, quilting is used as a form of textile art. It already has incorporated a utilitarian function in modern life. And like any other art forms, it continues to grow and evolve.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

The following article presents the very latest information on Quilting. If you have a particular interest in Quilting, then this informative article is required reading.

Man has proven his ingenuity and resourcefulness throughout time. He has undergone a lot of activities that has cemented his legacy in this world. He has mastered numerous skills and craftsmanship that has shaped the world’s history like no other. Let’s take a microscopic journey into one of the most fascinating artistry around the globe. Enter the world of quilting.

Basically quilting is a method which revolves around the principles of sewing. This is done via different media such as sewing machines, a longarm quilting system, or simply one’s hands. Now the person directly involved in the creation is called the quilter.

The quilting process comes into being because of the dynamic duo in thread and needle. These guys enable the union of two or more layers of material which results into a quilt. The usual quilting is presented in three layers which include the quilt top or top fabric, the backing material, and the insulating or batting material. The skillful hand of the quilter or the efficient machinery of the sewing machine manipulates both the needle and the thread through all the layers in order to come up with a pleasing masterpiece.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Quilting than you may have first thought.

The process of needle in and needle out continues until a complete piece of quilting extravagance is born. It is common practice to utilize running or straight stitches en route to the production of patterns that can be of ornamental or functional purpose. The art of quilting has been noticeably present in various accessories and objects such as clothing, textile products, bed covers, and household decorations. It is quite flexible as it can be manipulated in order to make a certain design blend with other forms of art or it can also provide for dominance so that one pattern can truly stand out from the rest.

There are various types of quilting but the common ones are the hand and machine quilting. Let’s start acquaintances with hand quilting. This involves a process of sewing a running stitch by hand on an entire material by utilizing needles and threads. A hoop or quilting frame is tapped on to provide assistance by stably holding the material being quilted over the quilter’s lap.

When involved in hand quilting, the quilter has three stitching options. The first one is known as a stab stitch wherein stitching is performed one at a time. The second is identified as a rocking stitch. This is done by having one hand normally with a finger protected by a thimble placed on top of the quilt while the other hand does the needle pushing upwards. The third option is regarded as loading the needle which features the practice of accomplishing four or more stitches before manipulating the needle through the cloth.

Machine quilting relies on the aid of a sewing machine to patch layers together. Moreover, a common sewing machine allows for the tacking of layers before the actual quilting. Apart from tacking a series of procedures can also be done such as laying the top, batting and then backing out on a flat surface.
The beauty about quilting is that there are a lot of methods you can choose from. You can either go old school or dig deeper into new and innovative ways of producing your very own work-of-art.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

The only way to keep up with the latest about Quilting is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Quilting, it won’t take long for you to become an influential authority.

Machine quilting doesn’t enjoy the same stitch-quality reputation hand quilting has. In fact, when machine quilting was first introduced, it wasn’t received well and was thought inferior to hand quilting. But now that quilting is given modernity touches, machine quilting is widely recognized and appreciated because of its several benefits. It is, for one, way faster to do. It can complete work for a fraction of time required in hand quilting. Aside from that, machine quilting can accommodate heavy-duty embellishment threads that would otherwise not be possible with hand quilting. This benefit, in effect, opens up more artistic possibilities.

The problem, however, is that some people are easily intimidated by just the sight of a machine and view machine quilting as too complicated. The truth is, machine quilting is easy to learn and with some practical tips, it is manageable. Following are some tips that can make machine quilting more fun and less laborious.

1. Run a test. If you are yet unsure of how machine quilting goes, get a piece of fabric and practice machine quilting. Don’t be disheartened if the stitches are unsightly. You can adjust the tension setting, improve your rhythm, or reposition your hand. When you get the hang of it, the stitches will be more even and consistent.

2. Plan how your stitches would go. Planning ahead can keep you from making too many stops and starts. Visualizing the overall appearance of your quilt can also help you decide as you move along the project.

See how much you can learn about Quilting when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information.

3. Guide your quilt through the machine with a gentle and smooth sliding motion. Too much pressure in your hands will yield erratic movements and consequently irregular stitches.

4. Use an even-feed walking foot when making straight lines. To use this, roll the quilt into a tube, use bicycle clips or safety pins to secure the quilt, and stitch the center and work your way out to the edges. Alternatively, use a darning foot when making freehand quilting to do curved and other decorative stitches. Keep in mind, though, that doing freehand quilting is never perfect at first attempt and takes a lot of practice to come up with the desired stitches.

5. Relax. Take your mind off the other parts of the quilt; instead, focus on the part under the needle and that which is next to come. It would also help you relax if you have a good working space, one that can provide you and the quilt enough room. Also, have a comfortable chair to rest your back well. When your back, neck, and arms are relaxed and your mind free of distractions, you can work longer and produce a better quilt.

6. Rest for a while. If your hand feels stiff, your back slightly aches, or your eyes seem to blur when machine quilting, the body calls for a rest. Take a break and move around. Don’t forget to shake your hands and shoulders, close your eyes, or look up from your work once in a while. Remember, fatigue is likely to show in your quilt.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

The only way to keep up with the latest about Quilting is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Quilting, it won’t take long for you to become an influential authority.

There have been lots of events that have shaped the world as it is today. There are various concepts and principles that continuously guide each and every civilization toward survival and propagation. There are very ancient practices that still make their marks within the realms of the present generation. Let’s take a step back and take a journey aimed at unearthing quilting.

The craft of patching fabric materials together was commonly used in order to come with body protections and household accessories like usual clothing and pillows. Quilting has been around as early as the 15th century. There are even accounts leading its association with one of the oldest known communities of Egypt. There are also evidences pointing the existence of whole cloth quilts during the glamour of the trading years in the well-to-to European countries and Asian areas.

The most documented and proven ancestors of the quilts today were extracted from a Mongolian cave. The approximation of experts is that it existed during the first century BC as a linen carpet. At present it is kept safe and preserved within the confines of the Archeology Section in the Saint Petersburg department of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Quilting. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

In the United States the making of quilts was quite rare particularly during the period that spanned the late 18th century and that of the onset of the 19th century. The reason was primarily because it was considered as a leisurely practice which is only suitable for the wealthy folks. Most women preferred to stick to the conventional methods of spinning, sewing, and weaving in order to make clothes for the family. Bed covers were limited to the likes of woven varieties made available commercially and economically. Quilting was actually tagged as colonial wherein only a handful can be involved.

Unlike the common garments that can be mended and created out of left over scraps or old materials quilts were highly regarded as decorative items that can truly bring out the meaning of art. Each item brought to life by a skilled maker is considered as a one-of-a-kind needlework. During the early 1800s, quilters focused on the designs that revolved around quilting styles of whole cloth quilts, medallion quilts, and broderie perse.

As always technology entered the scene and made quilting a more recognizable entity as it increased in the number of styles and patterns specifically during the middle portion of the 1800s. The Industrial Revolution paved the way for more promising creations especially when textile manufacturing clawed its way into the picture. The women were not anymore obliged to spin and weave their way into making clothes for their family. When 1840 sprouted, the textile industry allowed for the affordability of commercial fabrics.

Now, there’s a misconception that quilts during this time were forcibly made out of the usual scraps and left over materials from conventional dressmaking methods. Actually it was in this period wherein various forms of cotton prints were made available publicly for the specific purpose of quilt making. There are documents and pictures that indicate that fabrics and materials really were made just for the quilting craft.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Are you looking for some inside information on Quilting? Here’s an up-to-date report from Quilting experts who should know.

Anyone who says that a quilt is simply a patchwork is wrong because behind every quilt is a story and behind every quilter is a storyteller. To become a skillful quilter, not to mention a storyteller, however, is not an overnight task. It involves time, patience, dedication, and most importantly willingness to learn the quilting basics.

It is quite true that it is never easy to be a beginner because you have to learn a lot of things and sometimes experience disappointments when things don’t turn out the way you intended. Self-expectations are enormous, which oftentimes are the most formidable enemies of every beginning quilter. But if there is one thing that can spell success for every beginner, it is the ability to take baby steps, and that means getting down to the very basic and following some tips for beginners.

1. Learn quilting jargons and terminology. Just as a would-be physician studies all the medical terms, you have to learn every word that is associated with quilting. Of course, you don’t do it in a day, all curled up in bed and studying. When you encounter unfamiliar words as you read quilting literature and instructions, find out the meaning at once. If you know the jargons and terminology, you can better follow instructions and communicate with fellow quilters.

2. Choose simple patterns. It is always tempting to get your hands on the intricately designed patterns; the problem is, they are often more complicated to work with. Save them for future projects. Now that you are starting, be realistic in assessing your skills. It is way better to begin with less complex patterns, those that can guide you through the art, than work on advanced patterns that can potentially exhaust you.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

3. Work on less complicated projects. Again, be realistic. Choose smaller projects like pillowcases, placemats, or table runners and have them as experiments. Because they are small, it is more likely to get them done. As your skills advance, you can do bigger projects.

4. Decide whether to hand quilt or machine quilt. Hand quilting is an old method of quilting and is preferred by many quilters because of its traditional and recreational appeal. It gives quilters more control of the project, an avenue for socialization especially if the quilt is done by a group of people, and a greater sense of hand work. Machine quilting, on the other hand, is faster and easier to do and creates more identical and consistent stitches. It works to your advantage if you know to do both. There are times you may want to hand quilt or machine quilt an entire project, and other times when you feel like hand quilting a part, say the top, and machine-stitching the rest.

5. Learn the different stitches, styles, and techniques. The heart of quilting is in piecing and stitching strips and layers of fabrics, so you have to know how to do these. Take also some time to develop your cutting and basting skills.

6. Avoid being too critical. Remember, you are just starting, and it is very likely that the stitches are less than perfect. It’s okay. Don’t fret over errors; instead, relax and enjoy the quilting process. As you move from project to project, you will discover that your consistency and precision develop. As with anything, practice makes perfect. And before you know it, you have already mastered the quilting basics and moved on to becoming an expert quilter.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Quilting is certainly no exception.

Quilts are bed coverings made up of three layers: a quilt top, a layer of batting, and a layer of material for backing. The layers are usually combined using the technique of quilting. Quilting is the process of using a needle and thread to combine two or more layers of cloth. This step may be only functional, or if more elaborate, for decoration and design.

Tying is another method of connecting the layers in quilts together. This method is usually chosen when a quilt is needed quickly for functional purposes. The three layers still need to be prepared and basted. Thread or yarn is used for the process. Square knots are used to finish off the ties, which are placed 3-5″ apart all over the quilt. A quilt that is tied is sometimes called a comforter.

Once upon a time quilts were created for necessity. Today creating quilts has become an art form. Gifted quilter’s are called fabric artists instead of the outdated seamstress or quilter. Not only are bed quilts popular, but quilted clothing and wall hangings as well. Handmade quilts may sell for hundreds of dollars and hang on museum walls, not just bed frames. Amish quilts from Pennsylvania and Ohio are especially sought after, as are vintage and antique quilts.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Quilting? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

If you are lucky enough to have inherited or purchased such an heirloom, taking proper care of it will maintain and perhaps increase its value. Quilts should never be stored in plastic bags, cardboard boxes or wooden trunks. Quilts should be aired at least twice a year, but not in direct sunlight. Very old quilts should be aired flat to avoid stressing the stitches. There is always a risk in washing antique fabric. Spot test it first. If you are using a machine, wash in cold water with a mild detergent and a gentle cycle. Dry your quilt on a flat surface. Using a fan and rotating it will speed up the drying process.

Quilts throughout history tell the stories of their times and makers. This is especially true during the depression when fabric was scarce. Some historians even believe secret messages and codes were hidden in handmade quilts at different times throughout history. One such story relates to the Underground Railroad. A certain quilt pattern would mean it was safe for escaping slaves to continue on their journey. Not all historians believe this theory, however it is true that signature quilts were a popular method of raising funds both before and after the Civil War. Signatures were added after a donation was made. These quilts were also known as friendship quilts.

While not all historians agree on this usage in the past, it is becoming increasingly popular today. Memory quilts and t-shirt quilts are popular and treasured gifts. Technology has even made it possible to add photos to fabric. Quilts are still used to raise money at raffles and charity events. Quilt guilds are being created and growing at a rapid rate, preserving and passing on treasured patterns and techniques.

Now that wasn’t hard at all, was it? And you’ve earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert’s word on Quilting.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new site for adsense publishers: Free Adsense Websites

Current info about Quilting is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Quilting info available.

Embroidery is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, much the same as quilting and knitting and other hand crafts. Many crafters who enjoy quilting also end up enjoying embroidery and might feel as if they have torn loyalties-which craft to pursue in the small amount of time available for hobbies? The good news is that quilting and embroidery make excellent companions. Crafters who love quilting but are attracted to the depth and color that embroidery stitches offer can follow both their loves by combining the two crafts.

A quilt embellished with embroidered stitches is one of the most beautiful hand-crafted creations imaginable. Take a look at some of the “crazy quilts” from the Victorian era. These quilts are most often made of silk, often from leftover men’s ties or other bits of fabric, and were pieced together in a random manner (hence the name) and then heavily embellished with embroidery. Even if your interest in quilting slants more toward traditional quilts, it’s worth taking a look at these crazy quilts to get ideas for using embroidery to embellish your quilts. Crazy quilts use embroidery extensively, in many cases covering nearly every bit of the quilt’s surface, but you can use touches of embroidery here and there on your quilts or quilted clothing to give it depth and texture.

Embroidery stitches are easy to learn, and you may even know some already. Browse through sites on the internet, and you’ll find many with clear photos or pictures of embroidery stitches. Some common embroidery stitches you might want to use include blanket and chain stitch for outlining, and feather, herringbone, lazy daisy, straight and cross stitches for decorative touches.

If your Quilting facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don’t let important Quilting information slip by you.

Many quilters enjoy doing appliqué as part of their quilting techniques, and embroidery is a natural partner to appliqué. The process of appliqué involves layering one fabric atop another, as opposed to sewing pieces of fabric together, and embroidery stitches such as the blanket stitch can be used to decorate the edges of the appliquéd piece. Or perhaps you may want to use embroidery on the background fabric, to emphasize the appliquéd pieces. The manufacturers of embroidery floss have kept pace with developments in the world of crafting, and now offer floss in an array of fibers, including perle cotton, rayon, silk and even linen and hemp. They also feature brilliant colors, with some even offering hand-dyed and variegated flosses.

Many quilters prefer to do their quilting by machine, instead of hand, and these same quilters may also prefer to do their embroidery by machine. With the huge variety of incredibly powerful sewing machines on the market, this is a snap. Many sewing machines have embroidery functions with extensive lists of stitches, which are as easy to accomplish as flipping a switch on the machine. As with embroidery floss, there are many specialty threads available for machine embroidery.

Look into adding embroidery to your quilting and open up a whole new world of quilting and crafting pleasure to your life.

There’s a lot to understand about Quilting. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

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