Quilting Panels

Quilting For Beginners - The Basics You Need To Know

Are you checking out our range of quilting panels before you start on your first quilting project? Could you use some advice on quilting? If so, be sure to check out the ultimate guide to quilting for beginners and get some valuable information to get you started.

What Are The Essentials I Need To Start Quilting?

There are some essentials you will require before you can start quilting. Fortunately, most quilting supplies are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain.

To start quilting, you will need supplies such as fabric shears, embroidery scissors, a rotary cutter, a cutting board, seam ripper, plastic ruler, a quilting machine (if you will quilt by machine instead of by hand), thread, pins, clips, and some manual sewing needles.

How Do I Choose My First Quilting Project?

When you start quilting, it is important to remember that some quilting projects are more complicated than others. So, even though quilting may seem the same across the board, there are some differences in terms of stitching, panel construction, etc. So, when you are a beginner, you might want to look for some quilting patterns for beginners.

Which Projects Are Easier For Beginners?

For your first quilting project, we usually recommend searching for a pattern that consists large panels, this will be much easier to construct than quilts made out of lots of smaller panels. With larger panels, you also need less seams, this is more convenient for your first project.

When you browse some quilting patterns, also try to be on the lookout for quilt patterns that contain either square or rectangular shapes. While they may appear complicated, squares and rectangles are actually a lot easier to sew than some of the alternatives.

Naturally, our range of pre-cut quilting panels will also be extremely suitable for beginners. At Spotlight, you can get these panels in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and designs, this means that your first project will be far from boring!

Should I Take A Quilting Class?

There are a bunch of instructional videos online and we even provide some quilting books that may prove useful to get you started. Of course, if you find it extremely difficult to pick this craft up, you can always attend a quilting class to master quilting.

Before you attend a quilting class, be sure to check if you need any specific supplies before you go to the class in person. While some classes will provide the supplies you need, other classes will require that you take your own supplies with you to participate.

Can You Provide Me With Some Additional Tips For Beginners?

One of the common problems you will encounter as a beginner is colour running, this means the colour of your fabrics will start to run into one another. With this, it is important to remember to prewash all your fabrics before you start sewing.

Please note that there are some types of fabrics that should never be prewashed, this is the case for a material such as silk. When in doubt, always check your fabric washing instructions.

Another common problem among beginners is that they run out of fabric. Taking the correct measurements and ordering just a little extra fabric just in case can be helpful. So, if you are a beginner, always get in a little extra fabric just in case.

When you quilt, you should also remember the importance of pressing your fabric. Pressing fabric ensures that there are no wrinkles and other unwanted bumps in your material, which could influence the final result. To press a piece of fabric for quilting, swipe side to side and gently blot the material. In case of extreme wrinkles that simply will not disappear with the basic blotting method, you can always use a steam iron to get your fabric wrinkle-free.

Finally, be ready to make some mistakes when you just start out with quilting. It is unlikely that your first project will be absolutely perfect, so don't be discouraged if you need a little more practice before you achieve perfection.

Want to start on quilting? Be sure to take advantage of our affordable quilting supplies and stunning quilting panels!