Historically, cosy quilts were something that we relied on the expertise of our grandmothers for, but that is no longer the case. Crafting has become a popular hobby across all ages, and quilting is no exception! Many keen crafters have discovered the joys of quilting, which has seen the hobby, become hugely popular, with many modern techniques introduced alongside classic methods.
Anyone can learn to quilt, either at a class or at home, and if you’re looking to bring out your childrens’ creative side, it may be just the activity you’re looking for!
There are lots of free resources online to help you learn how to quilt, and you can choose from hundreds of patterns and designs either in quilting books, magazines or blogs. Beginners might want to choose a simple square patchwork quilt before trying a more adventurous pattern but this doesn’t mean it has to be boring! Liven up your quilt by choosing bright, vibrant colours and patterns that both you and your children love. If you are feeling daring and want to brave a more challenging quilt you can choose from a wide range of patterns including chevrons, off-centred squares or kites! Of course it’s not just quilts that can be made with quilting – bags and toys can also be whipped up using the technique.
When deciding on a quilting project, get the kids involved right from the start. This will allow them to take ownership of the project and help them see it through to the end. When choosing fabric ask them what their favourite colour is and get them to choose colours and patterns that go together. Get them thinking about what patterns they like and want to use such as dinosaurs, monsters or fairies. Or perhaps they want to incorporate their favourite animal into the quilt.
Choosing your fabrics can be loads of fun – either in a fabric shop or online. If you are browsing online and are unsure whether fabrics will go together, print off a few, cut them out and use the paper squares to decide on your final design.
Fabric can sometimes be expensive, so consider upcycling old clothes, curtains or bedding. You might also want to keep a look out at carboot sales and charity shops for your kids’ favourite TV characters or superheroes. For older children or teenagers, think about making a quilt from old band t-shirts.
To begin quilting there are a few basic tools you will need in addition to the fabrics you want to use. A good pair of fabric scissors will definitely be needed, as will supervision from an adult when they are being used by younger children. For the middle of your quilt you will need cotton wadding (or batting) which can be bought from most craft shops or online. Unless you plan to sew by hand (which can be time consuming) you will need a basic sewing machine. It doesn’t need to be fancy and basic machines can be picked up for a very reasonable price. If you plan to cut out patchwork shapes to incorporate into your quilt, then it’s worth investing in a rotary cutter and mat as this will make the process much quicker. You will also need pins for tacking together your fabric pieces and an iron and ironing board.
The initial investment into quilting can be expensive if you don’t already have the majority of the tools required. One way to help you spread the initial cost could be by credit card, especially if you’ve got a card that offers a 0% period on purchases. It’s important to bear in mind though that if you don’t clear the balance within the introductory period, you will be charged interest.
This is a Sponsored Post by Guest Blogger Fran Swaine on behalf of Sainsbury’s Bank.
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