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If you have looked high and low for the perfect quilt and have had no luck then think about sewing one. You can choose the pattern fabrics, and colors of your choice. By making your own you don’t have to worry about picking a quilt with fabrics, patterns, or even a price that you hate. Making your own gives you more options but if you want to save money then it almost certainly won’t be cheaper especially when you consider the time you will spend on it.
Sewing and quilting is a costly pastime. You need to have a sewing and quilting machine unless you are going to quilt it by hand. But you also have to buy the fabric and other supplies in order to make your quilt top. Quilting is a hobby that lets you get away from the world and focus on something different. For many people, it’s a way to relieve stress and get into their own groove for awhile, but don’t get the wrong impression it’s complicated and sometimes exasperating but very rewarding.
The extensive process for making a quilt first starts with choosing the pattern. The pattern will influence the amount of time it will take to sew. Depending on the level of difficulty and the amount you will spend on a quilt will show in the design. The smaller the pieces the more complex and time consuming the quilt will be.
The next thing that you do is pick out the fabrics. This may seem like a simple task but it’s not. Most people when sewing a quilt go to a number of different stores in order to see the lines of fabric, patterns and colors different shops carry. Don’t settle with fabric you find at the first store. Go to several stores in order to find the perfect mixture of colors.
Next if you’ve picked dark colors like red or blue you need to pre-wash them and dry them. This is a preventative measure because it will keep your dark colors from bleeding onto the lighter colors down the road. And the drying will keep it from shrinking. And after this is the cutting which can be quite tedious depending on the size and shape of each piece. But make sure the pieces are precisely the size and shape as instructed or else it will mess up the quilt.
Following this is the piecing and this is where it starts to get fun. The pieces start to come together and you can see what the quilt will eventually look like.. Just be sure that you are sewing it really well because you don’t want the corners to come undone or have points that don’t match up. But just remember if you’re annoyed take a break and come back because your frustration will come out in your sewing
Then after you have sewn the pieces into blocks add the sashing and borders. This is the most satisfying experience because all your efforts have made this one thing. But, unfortunately it’s not done yet you still have to quilt it. It’s your choice whether you want to quilt it by hand or on a machine.. But either way you are definitely going to love the end result especially after all of the time you spent on it.
This article was written and distributed by Diane Johnson. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. She likes to write about the news, politics, Online School, colleges Online, and Distance Learning.
Tags: Crafts, Homemade Arts and Crafts, projects, Quilting, sewing
Posted in Crafts · March 24th, 2010 · Comments (0)
Choosing the best sewing machine for your needs can be a tedious task because there are so many models on the market. Fortunately, they fall within three general types, and knowing which type you need will make your search for the perfect one significantly easier.
1) Mechanical Sewing Machines
These machines are controlled by a rotary wheel. Any adjustment, such as the tension or the length, or width of the stitch, can be done by moving a dial.
Consider these as no-frills machines that can support your most basic sewing needs. They are also relatively cheap, making them great for beginners, which is why manufacturers still produce them in large numbers.
If you want an easy-to-use mechanical sewing machine, then consider buying a Janome Magnolia 7318. It is the perfect sewing machine for simple garmet repairs, crafting and quilting.
2) Electronic Sewing Machines
Many sewing enthusiasts prefer electronic sewing machines because they can create more when it comes to patterns and stitches. The most notable thing about an electronic sewing machine is that there are particular functions that can be accomplished by just pushing a button.
An electrical impulse shoots the needle up and returns it back to place in a sequence matched by the feeding mechanism which pushes the material through the machine. It really makes the sewing process a lot faster when compared to mechanical sewing machines.
The Singer 7442 model is the most popular electronic sewing machines, for both beginners and professionals alike. This sewing machine comes with 30 built-in stitches and hundreds of functions, push-button controls, adjustable stitch width and length and reverse stitching.
3) Computerized Sewing Machines
With technological advances over the years, sewing machines are now more functional and complex, with the addition of a built in computer now being not just a novelty.
This results in hands-off sewing, as you just need to program it, and then press a button or two. A sequence of stitches can be pre-programmed, so you no longer have to replicate the exact same movements for hours on end.
The Brother Quattro 600D is an ideal computerized sewing machine for sewing enthusiasts. Regardless of whether you are into embroidery, sewing, quilting or crafting, it machine will never fail you.
As a final point, remember to find and read reviews on sewing machines that interest you before going and making a purchase. Reviews on independent websites are best as they do not have a vested interested in any particular sewing machine, and so will give you honest, unbiased information and advice.
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Ready to compare sewing machines? Stop by www.BestSewingMachineDeals.com and read all our sewing machine reviews.
Tags: Crafts, family, hobbies, Home, sewing
Posted in Crafts · February 6th, 2010 · Comments (0)