Explore two different ways of holding a quilt together by hand : traditional hand quilting, and a current favorite with a long history - big stitch quilting. Learn about batting, how to baste the layers together, mark a design (or not) and how to do the quilting stitch with both quilting thread and with thicker thread for a different look. Bring your current quilt in progress, get advice about a project, or just practice stitching on a small sample.
Bring your current quilt in progress or if you don’t have one - see supplies below.
Required supplies:
Current quilt in progress OR bring a 12” square of quilting weight cotton fabric (or an extra quilt block), a 12” square of batting*, and a 14-16” square of backing fabric (any lightweight cotton fabric will work, the thinner the better.)
Thimble (this should fit the middle finger of your dominant hand comfortably), Scissors,
For traditional hand quilting:
Regular sewing thread for basting, Hand quilting thread (any color), quilting needles (also called Betweens - Diane likes size 8s for beginners)
For big stitch quilting:
Mixed pack of embroidery needles (size 3-9), A choice between: Perle cotton size 8 or 12, Aurifil 12 weight thread, sashiko thread or crochet cotton
Optional (but usually used for larger quilts): 14” quilting hoop
Class Topics:
Marking tools, including: pencils, chalk liners or chalk pencils, pens, tape…or not marking.
Stencils
*The instructor prefers a lightweight polyester or very thin cotton batting for hand quilting. Her favorite brands are Hobbs Thermore (poly) and Quilters Dream Request (Cotton) but any thin batting will be fine for practice.