Quilting 101 SBS Ebook

A
Beginner's
Guide to
Quilting
Courtesy of SewingbySarah.com
www.SewingBySarah.com
© 2019 SewingBySarah
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Contents
What is a Quilt?...............................page 4
History of Quilting..........................page 5
Types of Quilts................................page 6
Quilt Supplies.................................page 11
How to Quilt...................................page 14
Tips & Tricks...................................page 18
Quilt Size Chart..............................page 19
Yardage Converter Chart..............page 20
SewingbySarah.com Coupon.........page 21
"a quilt will
warm your
body and
comfort your
soul "
What is a Quilt?
A quilt is a cherished keepsake passed down through generations marking
special life events like a wedding or birth of a child. A quilt provides warmth on a
cold winter’s night. A quilt is a way to express your creativity. A quilt is a way to
show your love. A quilt is a piece of art.
Whether you quilt for relaxation or with determined purposed, as a way to tell a
story, or as a gift, you are continuing an art form that has been around as long as
recorded time.
A quilt is made of two layers of fabric with batting in between held together by
“quilting” or stitching the three layers together. A combination of fabric types,
patterns, and stitch techniques can be used to create a quilt. Today, quilts are
commonly used as bed coverings or hanging wall art.
Page 4
History of Quilting
The earliest example of quilting was shown on a carved ivory figure of a
pharaoh from around 3400 B.C. In 1924, archaeologist discovered a
quilted floor covering in Mongolia which they believe was created
somewhere between the first century B.C to the second century A.D. The
earliest known bed quilt is from Sicily from the end of the fourteenth
century.
In the US, examples of quilts can be found as far back as the early 1700’s
and is dated by historians through analysis of the newspaper batting that
was used at the time. The newspaper print contained content and dates
that were used as a guide as to when the quilt was made.
Quilting grew in popularity and out of necessity between 1825-1875 as

Americans began moving west into the Great Plains. Quilts were made for
use as bedding, door and window coverings, floor mats, and as currency.
Quilting bees were established and provided women of the Great Plains
an opportunity to socialize.
The beauty, uniqueness, and usefulness of quilts contributes to their

constantly evolving and continued existence. Today, quilts can be hand or
machine-stitched lending to the continued evolution of this beloved art
form. For many, the opportunity to disconnect from our digital world and
use our hands and to connect with others or as a way to express their
creativity is fueling the rebirth in a new generation. SewingbySarah.com is
committed to providing you with a variety of quality fabric, tools, and
notions for your hand and machine quilting needs.
Let’s start quilting!

Adapted from https://www.emporia.edu/cgps/tales/quilte~1.html
Page 5
Types
Types of
of Quilts
Quilts
Amish Quilts typically use solid color fabrics arranged in geometric patterns.
There are three popular patterns shown below:
Double Wedding Ring
Star of Bethlehem
Trip Around the World
Page 6
Types
Types of
of Quilts
Quilts
Appliqué Quilts are made
by sewing pieces of fabric to
the top of a larger piece of
fabric. Check out my
appliqué patterns - Click
Here.
Crazy Quilts began in the

Victorian Era and use a variety
of fabrics including silk and
velvet with embroidered
details.
Baltimore Album Quilts are

made for special occasions
using greens and reds and featured
a variety of appliqued blocks of
different styles
Page 7
Types
Types of
of Quilts
Quilts
Charm Quilts use a different fabric
for every piece and the
same fabric is not used twice.
*Pro Tip: Check out

our blog post on
English Paper
Piecing - Click Here
English Paper Piecing is a hand piecing

technique using papers as foundations
to keep the shape of the fabric as you
hand piece the items together. Typically
used in more intricate designs like
hexagons and “Grandmother’s Flower
Garden”.
Page 8
Types
Types of
of Quilts
Quilts
Foundation Paper Piecing is a machine piecing technique that uses paper as a
foundation to create more intricate designs, a “piece by numbers” technique
that allows pictorials in quilts.
*Pro Tip: Check out

our blog posts on
Foundation Paper
Piecing - Click Here
Hawaiian Quilts use solid fabrics which are appliqued in native Hawaiian floral
designs onto the top of the quilt.
Page 9
Types
Types of
of Quilts
Quilts
Sampler Quilts are one of the most popular types of quilts where each pieced
block is a different pattern.
Strip Piecing is a machine piecing technique whereby you use a rotary cutter to
cut strips of fabric, sew them together and then recut the strips to form
different shapes.
Page 10
Quilt Supplies
*Pro Tip: I
Batting: Also known as wadding or padding, is the recommend using
middle layer of your quilt “sandwich.” Batting provides either 100% cotton
your quilt with warmth and thickness. or an 80/20 cotton-
poly blend.
Clear acrylic ruler: Is an essential quilting tool used as a guide when cutting fabric. The
most common size is 6” x 12” and will be a very good all around ruler size to have.
Clever Clips: A set of clips used to hold fabric in place while basting and binding.
Cutting Mat: A self-healing, gridded cutting mat is recommended to protect your work
surface, provide a smooth and sturdy base for cutting fabric, and to preserve your
rotary blade.
Fabric: Fabric is most commonly woven, not a knit fabric as piecing can be tricky with
stretch. 100% cotton or a cotton/poly blend are most common.
Fabric Scissors: The most sacred of all things, fabric scissors, like a chef’s knife is worth the
investment and DON”T use them for anything else but fabric. 8” shears have a flat bottom
on them so that you can set the shear on the table flat while cutting, this makes cutting
more accurate, straight and with less “squigglies” Small 5” scissors or thread cutters are
handy for snipping threads.
Iron: A good steam iron and careful pressing techniques can make piecing much more
successful. Recommend purchasing iron cleaner to ensure the soleplate stays clean.
Page 11
Quilt Supplies
Needles:
Quilting needles, also known as “betweens”, are the preferred needle type for
traditional hand quilting. Quilting needles are sized from 3 to 12 with size 12
being the smallest needle. The smaller the needle, the smaller the stitch size.
Recommend a size 8 or 9 needle for beginners.
Embroidery needles – useful to have for hand sewing and binding.
Pins: Quilting or sewing pins are used to temporarily hold fabric in place while cutting
patterns or prior to quilting the layers of the quilt sandwich. I generally use 1-3/4” ball
headed pins as they are easy to control, but I also use the flower headed pins, but have
extra length that make using during piecing easier. Don't forget a pin magnet too!
Presser feet: Used in machine quilting, a presser foot is

an attachment used with your sewing machine to hold *Pro Tip: Use our
fabric flat as it is stitched. Preser feet help to prevent Ultimate Quilting
fabric stretching and puckering. Presser Foot Set, it
has 11 essential
The correct presser foot can be a huge difference in
feet to make your
how easy it is to keep stitches straight and quilting
quilting process
easier.
even.
Rotary Cutter: Is a round blade mounted on a handle

that cuts through single or multiple layers of fabric. It *Pro Tip: Careful!
is used along the edge of a cutting guide for straight These blades are
cuts. A basic 45MM size is universal and a good place sharp!
to start.
Page 12
Quilt Supplies
Safety Pins: I have safety pins for basting that have the curve in them and it makes for
easier basting, however, I usually use the spray on fabric adhesive or the iron on batting
when I doing large projects.
Seam Ripper: Is a necessary and small sewing tool used for cutting and removing
stitches.
Sewing Machine: You can make amazing quilts on a basic machine. Quilting uses a
straight stitch. It’s nice to have a machine that allows you to change your presser foot.
Most machines come with a standard foot, but like my Pfaff, its markings are not for ¼”
seam allowances, so it’s nice to be able to change the foot to reflect that most of the work
you will be doing is with this foot.
Thread: A poly-cotton blend or 100% cotton both work well. Avoid 100% polyester it
won’t hold up as well, and I’ve found it breaks more often than cotton or blends. As long as
your stitch tension is correct, it is not necessary to match the thread color to the fabrics, a
nice neutral will work well.
Walking Foot: I have made many quilts before discovering this foot, and the results are
really clear. Your quilts will lay flatter, have less distortion and be much easier to work with
if you use a walking foot.
Page 13
How to Quilt
Step 1:
Creating the Quilt Top
Creating your quilt top is the most
creative, fun, and time-consuming
part of the entire quilting process
and can be created either by hand-
stitching or using your sewing
machine. First, individual blocks are
created by either piecing fabric or
appliqué techniques. Next, sashing
Things to consider before
can be added. Finally, the completed
blocks and sashing, when joined starting your quilt top:
together, make the body of the quilt Overall size of quilt
top. Size of blocks
Block design/technique (i.e.,
piecing, appliqué, etc.)
Fabric selection and cutting
*Pro Tip: Use the Quilt

Size Chart in the back on
page 19 of this e-book to
help determine the size
of your quilt
www.SewingBySarah.com Page 14
How to Quilt
How to Baste
Step 2: First, assemble the quilt sandwich.
Basting
Once your quilt top is stitched Next, using safety pins, tack the
together and in one piece, the next layers throughout a section of your
step is to baste or secure the layers quilt to temporarily hold it together
of the quilt sandwich (quilt top, and to prevent the backing from
batting, and backing) together. puckering or bubbling while you do
Basting ensures alignment and your basting stitch. The basting
prevents slippage of the quilt layers stitch is a temporary, loose and
during the actual quilting process. wide running stitch of
approximately one inch long and
one inch apart that will remain on
your quilt until the very end.
Recommend using a bright or
contrasting thread color.
Finally, remove the pins. Now

you’re ready for the next step,
quilting!
Note: you may also use fabric spray

adhesive or iron on batting to help
baste your quilt.
Page 15
How to Quilt
Step 3:
Quilting
The third, and most labor intensive portion of the quilt-making process is
quilting. Once the quilt sandwich has been basted, you are now ready to quilt,
or stitch patterns, on the quilt top and through the batting and backing. These
quilt stitches are permanent and can range from simple patterns to intricate
designs showcasing your creativity.
Hand vs. Machine Quilting
Hand-quilting: When hand-quilting, you’ll Machine quilting: Machine quilting allows
need a quilting hoop or frame, a needle, for a faster quilt production. The use of a
and thread. Ideally, quilt stitches are presser foot on your sewing machine will
evenly sized and spaced. However, when make it easier to feed the quilt sandwich
hand-stitching, slight variations in stitch through and to produce an evenly stitched
size and spacing can add to a quilt’s charm quilt. SewingbySarah.com offers a variety
and uniqueness. Recommend starting in of quality presser feet to meet your needs
the middle of the quilt and then working and budget.
out towards the sides.
Page 16
How to Quilt
Step 4:
Binding
The final step in your project is the binding or edging of your quilt. Binding
requires a long strip of fabric to cover the raw fabric edges of the quilt top
while also holding the edges of the quilt sandwich together. Clips are typically
used to secure the binding fabric in place prior to stitching in order to prevent
slippage.
You will start with about a 1.5” side strip of fabric, fold this fabric in half and
then sew the raw edge/unfold side to the edge of the quilt. Then you will fold
over the fabric to the back of the quilt and either handstitch or machine stitch
(stitch in the ditch is helpful) to close the edge.
*Pro Tip: Use our
Bias Tape Maker to
easily create a
beautiful binding
around your quilt.
Page 17
Tips & Tricks
A few simple tips...

Pre-wash your fabric - this is a personal choice and is usually recommended.
Pre-washing makes sure the fabric doesn’t shrink or fade. When prewashing,
use warm water and detergent and soak the fabric for about 20 minutes.
When dry, iron the fabric. Many modern fabrics come pre-washed.
Use a yardage converter chart - see page 20.
Measure quilt batting so that it is bigger than the quilt top, but smaller
than the quilt back. This allows "give" during quilting. You will trim the
excess to size once quilting is completed and then add your binding to
cover the edges.
Use a thimble when hand quilting, it will protect your fingers.
When hand stitching, keep the thread no more than 18 inches long. Doing so
prevents tangles.
When hand quilting, use smaller needles to ensure small, even, and identical
stitches.
Practice hand movement and rhythm to perfect stitch size and consistency.
Join a local Quilt Guild.
Page 18
Quilt Size Chart
Page 19
Yardage Converter Chart
Page 20
Thank You
I hope you've enjoyed my Beginner's Guide to Quilting! SewingbySarah.com offers
amazing quilting products at great prices within a secure and easy-to-use online
shopping environment. Shipping is free on all orders over $30 and all products carry
my 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Take 15% off your next SewingbySarah.com purchase and start quilting now!
COUPON CODE: ARTOFQUILTING15
Don't forget to check out the official SewingbySarah blog for the latest how to videos,
new product information, and helpful tools & advice. Also, visit us within our active
online Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest communities.
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Nervous about online shopping? Don't be! SewingBySarah.com offers its

Let's start quilting!

Tips & Tricks...................................page 18

Quilt Size Chart..............................page 19

Yardage Converter Chart..............page 20

Quilting grew in popularity and out of necessity between 1825-1875 as

The beauty, uniqueness, and usefulness of quilts contributes to their

Let’s start quilting!

Double Wedding Ring

Trip Around the World

Crazy Quilts began in the

Baltimore Album Quilts are

*Pro Tip: Check out

English Paper Piecing is a hand piecing

*Pro Tip: Check out

Embroidery needles – useful to have for hand sewing and binding.

Presser feet: Used in machine quilting, a presser foot is

Rotary Cutter: Is a round blade mounted on a handle

*Pro Tip: Use the Quilt

Finally, remove the pins. Now

Note: you may also use fabric spray

A few simple tips...

Use a yardage converter chart - see page 20.

Use a thimble when hand quilting, it will protect your fingers.

Join a local Quilt Guild.

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