Quilting: How to do it, what you need, and why it's magical

Quilting is a traditional and currently highly popular sewing technique that is making a real comeback. I’ll reveal what you need, how it works, and what else you should know.

Quilting is more popular than ever. No wonder, as sustainable sewing is a huge trend. And sustainability also means using fabric scraps, batting remnants, and much more. But quilt projects consist of more than just fabric and batting. Read on to discover where the real magic lies.

In this detailed post, my colleague Birgit Kühr (you can check out her website Quiltreise here) shares her love for quilting with you and reveals what makes this beautiful handcraft technique so magical for her.

What is the best tool for cutting quilt projects?

Let’s start with the practical side. For quilting, you should use well-sharpened tools because you need to cut through multiple thick layers of fabric. In general, I recommend the following cutting tools:

Scissors^*: Good tailoring shears are essential. Ensure that the blades are sharp right to the tip and thick enough. This allows you to cut through thick layers of fabric or quilt sandwiches. I recommend high-quality fabric shears that will practically last forever.

Thread snips or embroidery scissors^*: Sharp, pointed scissors are an absolute must for patchwork. You can use them to clip small notches into seam allowances, trim fabric corners, or shorten threads without damaging the seam.

Seam ripper: If a seam goes wrong, a sharp, pointed seam ripper will be very useful.

18 mm rotary cutter^*: The smallest version of the rotary cutter has a blade that is only 18 millimeters in size. The mini blade is great for cutting delicate fabrics and is suitable for small, curved fabric pieces.

28 mm rotary cutter^*: My favorite rotary cutter and a real all-purpose tool that I also use for cutting out clothing. Very versatile and precise.

45 mm rotary cutter^*: The perfect rotary cutter if you have already sewn 2 or 3 layers of fabric and want to trim the edges. This maxi version requires a bit more physical effort than the smaller ones.

60 mm rotary cutter^*: The jumbo version with its 6 cm blade is the secret weapon for cleanly cutting through thick and very thick fabric layers. In combination with a patchwork ruler and a good cutting mat, you can perfectly cut complete quilt sandwiches.

What do you need to sew quilt projects?

You do need a few accessories to conjure up the quilt project of your dreams. I have put together recommended materials that I have had good experiences with.

• Patchwork fabrics^*
• Cotton batting^* or similar, depending on the project
• Sewing thread^*: also feels great in a contrasting color for topstitching)
• Fabric shears^*
• Rotary cutter^*
• Cutting mat^*: the Omnigrid cutting mat is one of the best ever, unfortunately not available everywhere
• Patchwork ruler^*: 15 x 60 cm is ideal and universally usable
• Straight pins^*: for patchwork and quilting, it is better to use longer pins that don't disappear into the fabric
• Fabric clips^*
• Temporary spray adhesive^*
• Iron^*
• Ironing mat^*: I like using my wool ironing mat, but a simple ironing board or a DIY ironing board also work
• if necessary, safety pins

How do I prepare the fabrics?

If you are sewing table runners, pillows, or quilts to snuggle with, the fabrics should be pre-washed, as they will shrink when washed. Strong colors sometimes bleed, so you should wash them separately by color (light/dark).

If, however, you are sewing a wall hanging, you can skip washing the fabrics. On the contrary, the sizing (finish) protects the fabric.

Ironing the fabrics is absolutely recommended. The fabric should be completely wrinkle-free, which makes precise cutting incredibly easier.

Tip: An iron with an ironing board should always be within reach.

What does my sewing machine need to be able to do for quilting?

Any sewing machine that sews straight and even stitches is suitable for simple quilting. It doesn’t matter if it is a domestic or an industrial sewing machine. A large extension table is practical as it facilitates precise work. This is especially important for large-format quilt work. New computerized sewing machines have many features that make your work much easier:

• Automatic knotting/tie-off button to prevent the seam from coming undone
• Special patchwork feet
• Walking foot (even feed foot) for machine quilting
• Adjustable needle position - for topstitching, appliqués, or embroidery stitches
• Dropping the feed dogs - for free-motion machine quilting
• Pretty decorative stitches

I recommend getting familiar with your sewing machine beforehand and testing how it handles multi-layer sewing projects. With a little practice, you will then be able to realize these sewing ideas too.

Which filling for which quilt project?

For batting and filling your quilt projects, you can use various types of padding and materials. Each insert gives your patchwork project a different character. Of course, it also depends on what the purpose of your sewn piece is. Potholders need a different filling than cozy baby blankets.

In my blog post Vliese, Einlagen und Co., we get to the bottom of the secret of quilt battings.

What is quilting?

Have you ever wondered about the difference between patchwork and quilting? And what is quilting actually when sewing? Quilting is the stitching together of multiple layers of fabric with a running stitch or a decorative stitch.

What is a quilt sandwich?

You probably guessed it already! Probably not something to eat;) The quilt sandwich consists of the patchwork top, a suitable batting, and the quilt backing. It is ready for quilting once it has been firmly joined together with pins, basting thread, or spray adhesive and can be quilted.

What do you need for quilting?

You need a fully prepared quilt sandwich, whether you are quilting by hand or machine.

If you want to machine-quilt a large blanket, it is great to have a workbench with plenty of space.

• Sewing machine needles for quilting^* size 80 or 90 or a Topstitch needle size 80^*.
• Normal hand sewing needles^* in various sizes for basting and hand sewing.
• Quilting needles for hand sewing^*: If, however, you quilt your work by hand, I recommend hand quilting needles. They are specially hardened and short. They are practical because they allow you to set small running stitches quickly and easily in succession. For almost all purposes, hand sewing needles in size 9 or 10 are suitable.
• Quilting thread^*: the right quilting thread, whether for machine or hand sewing, gives your quilt that final touch and should therefore be chosen carefully. Don't cut corners with cheap sewing thread, which can fray or break.
• Large clamps^*: If you want to quilt it with the machine, you should lay your quilt sandwich flat on a surface and roll it up from the side. You can secure the roll with large clamps. This gives you space in the throat space of your free arm. You should fold the opposite side of the quilt. This way, the heavy fabric stays neatly next to your machine and doesn't pull it to the left.

Quilting: Only with quilting thread?

Now you might be wondering what kind of thread you should use to stitch your quilt sandwich together. The answer is: You can quilt with normal sewing thread. However, the quilting shows up better on your quilt top if you use slightly thicker quilting or embroidery thread^*. This consists, for example, of mercerized cotton. Variegated threads are particularly beautiful.

For the bobbin thread, it is best to choose a shade that matches the back of your fabric.

Birgit's Tip

"Make sure you don't use hand quilting thread for machine quilting.

It is waxed and will gum up the thread tension in the sewing machine.”

Which pins for quilting?

If you want to join your patchwork top with batting and backing fabric, I recommend quilting pins with a flat plastic head. Multiple layers of fabric are no problem for the fine needle point, and the flat head is iron-safe.

You can order the iron-safe quilting pins here^*.

How can I secure the fabric layers when quilting?

You can use a spray adhesive, straight pins, safety pins, or secure the individual layers with basting thread.

• If you want to use spray adhesive^*, spray the entire batting with it, lay your patchwork top on it, and smooth it out, which joins the layers together via the glue. If the fabric isn't lying perfectly, you can peel it back and reposition it.
• However, you can also lay out your backing fabric, smooth it out, and tape it down to a table or other surface at the edges with adhesive tape. Then lay down the batting and then the top. All three layers should lie flat, without wrinkles. Now, starting from the center, pin safety pins evenly across the entire quilt. Instead of pins, you can also use specially shaped quilting safety pins.
• If you don't want to keep pricking yourself while quilting, I recommend basting your quilt. For this, newer machines have special basting stitches. If you don't have that, take a needle and basting thread and sew large basting stitches along and across from the center of your quilt at regular intervals. This secures the fabric layers so that nothing can shift while quilting.

How many layers of fabric does a quilt consist of?

A classic quilt consists of three layers of fabric: the top, the batting, the backing fabric, and the binding. If it doesn't have to be quite so classic, an outer fabric and a nice, sturdy fleece blanket are sufficient. I like to use cotton fleece fabric here, which is warm and temperature-balancing at the same time.

However, backings made of coated cotton (for quilted picnic blankets) or soft flannel are also quite common these days.

Can you quilt with a normal sewing machine?

Perhaps you are wondering if your sewing machine is up to the task of quilting.

I can reassure you: Any normal household sewing machine can quilt. It is important that your machine stands firmly and securely.

It is great if your sewing machine has a large work surface. It is particularly practical if your machine is set into a work table.

If your machine has an even-feed or walking foot, you should use it. The fabric is fed from both the top and the bottom. This prevents the individual layers of fabric from shifting.

Which fabrics are suitable for quilting?

Many fabrics are suitable for quilting. As a rule of thumb: if your top consists of firm and densely woven fabrics, quilting can become laborious. If, on the other hand, you use fine patchwork fabrics, quilting will be easier for you, regardless of whether you quilt by hand or with a sewing machine.

Read more about this in my post Fabrics and batting for patchwork.

What thread tension for quilting?

It really pays to invest some time in this beforehand. Test on a small sample piece how the thread tension should be optimally set. If you use extra-strong sewing thread for quilting, you might need to loosen your thread tension a little.

If the bobbin thread is visible on your quilt top, the less-than-perfect stitch can lead to interesting effects. You can experiment with different bobbin threads and thus obtain unusual plays of color.

Which stitch should I use for quilting?

If you quilt with a machine, the most common stitch is a straight stitch, at least with a stitch length of 3.5 or 4. However, you can also use the decorative stitches of your sewing machine on your quilt.

Quilting in the seam or in the ditch

With a stitch length of 4, you sew exactly into the seam of your patchwork work. This is also called quilting in the ditch. Machine stitches are almost invisible this way. If you have an even-feed foot, use it for this. It prevents the different fabric layers from shifting.

What does outline or contour quilting mean?

With this type of quilting, you particularly highlight your design. It is especially suitable for small quilts that you can easily rotate under the machine.

For this, you sew about 0.6 cm away from the seam or one foot-width next to the seam, tracing the contours of the individual fabric pieces. For the straight lines, you can stick on masking tape for orientation and sew along the edge. You can also draw the pattern directly onto the fabric. Use a pen that is easily washable for this. (Write down brand)

What is Quilt as you go?

This is a great method to assemble many small pieces of fabric into a larger project quickly and easily while quilting them onto the batting at the same time. Do you want a tutorial for this? No problem. Here you can find my Quilt as you go tutorial! in the project on sewing oven mitts.

How to sew a quilt by hand?

Now you might be wondering: How do you sew a quilt by hand? It actually works too!

Do you see the small stitches on the pre-drawn line? You sew the individual pieces together and have the advantage that you can take your work anywhere. The seam allowance is ironed to one side. This stabilizes the seams.

Quilting by hand requires practice. You pierce vertically through the three layers from top to bottom and guide them back vertically. A small stitch remains visible on both sides. After a while, you can take multiple stitches onto the needle and pull them through at once. With some practice, the stitches will become more and more even. Don't be too hard on yourself. Practice makes perfect here too!

What types of quilts are there?

Scrap Quilts

Starting with way too many fabric scraps again? Then why not sew a quilt from fabric scraps? A scrap quilt can be composed of small and tiny fabric remnants, which create an individual and highly interesting look. It is important that the fabrics all have roughly the same thickness.

Bargello Quilt

Bargello is the name for the quick-cutting method for sewing a quilt in a stripe pattern. In this process, strips are shifted and individual seams are reopened to create a wavy effect.

Sampler Quilt

The sampler quilt is related to the orphan quilt. Here too, the top consists of different pattern blocks. In a sampler, however, the themes of individual blocks can "play" with each other, whereas in an orphan quilt, the themes and color palettes can be completely different.

Amish Quilts

The Amish are a religious community in the USA that prefers simple shapes and solid-colored fabrics on a dark background for their quilts. They are usually artistically quilted by hand and make many quilters' hearts beat faster. With a bit of luck, you can find the beautiful quilts of the Amish people at farmers' markets in Upstate New York or Pennsylvania.

Lasagne Quilt

A super fast quilt that is also very easy to sew from fabric scraps and "ugly fabrics." Fabrics are cut into strips. The width of the strips also determines how quickly you have finished sewing the quilt top. All in all, it's a breeze. You only need a few hours for such a top.

Mystery Quilt

Do you love mysteries? Then perhaps a mystery quilt is just right for you: The step-by-step instructions consist of several lessons, and you only find out bit by bit what the quilt looks like. This can be a wonderful community experience that you share with many others. It's a great way to speculate about the final result.

Charm Quilt

Imagine a kind of "I Spy" picture sewn as a patchwork blanket: Every piece of fabric appears only once in the quilt. This provides a very individual and colorful look. Such quilts can be sewn not only with ready-made charm packs but also wonderfully from fabric scraps.

Hawaiian Quilt

These symmetrical appliqué patterns originated in Hawaii, using bold colors on a white background. The fine quilting structure on the white background brings life and movement into what would otherwise be a quiet quilt, don't you think?

What is an orphan quilt?

Before you dare to start a really big quilt made of many blocks, you should sew a test block. Then you can see if you are up to the technique. And if all the seam allowances are correct. The test blocks that are created in the process (or that are accidentally leftover from patchwork) are called orphan blocks.

A quilt that is put together from different test blocks is called an orphan quilt.

Friendship or Birthday Quilt

It consists of different blocks made by friends or relatives for a specific occasion (birthday, wedding). It is a great honor and a wonderful keepsake to receive such a quilt.

Quilting for beginners: Suitable projects

• Potholders: perfect for beginners
• Pouches and bags
• Sewing a quilt: Lasagne quilt
• Sew a baby blanket

Sewing a quilt in 7 steps

1. Prepare the quilt sandwich
2. Decide on a quilt pattern, which shouldn't be too complicated, especially at the beginning. You can also achieve great effects with straight quilting stitches
3. Once you have chosen a pattern, transfer it to your quilt with quilt marking pens
4. Fix the three fabric layers with pins or spray adhesive
5. Quilt the three fabric layers
6. Apply a border binding to the quilt
7. Attach a name tag with the date of completion to the back of your quilt (perhaps also a personal dedication or a poetic quote that matches the fabric theme of the quilt?)

Quilting is the ideal hobby for you if…

…you say YES at least 3 times to the following points:

• You love sustainable sewing ideas
• Quick projects are totally your thing
• You like working with large pieces of fabric
• You love self-sewn home accessories
• You enjoy giving away personally designed blankets, pillows, and much more
• You want to beautify your home with individually designed textiles
• Creative sewing gives you joy
• You find it appealing to implement traditional sewing techniques

Conclusion: Quilting makes you happy!

Honestly: I love every one of my quilt projects, no matter how big or small it is.

The funny thing is: Every quilt project is absolutely unique. Type of fabric, composition, seams, little mishaps, different batting inserts: All this makes every quilt idea one-of-a-kind. And that is exactly what I like so much about it. With every quilt project, the long tradition of quilt circles, family quilts, veteran quilts, and the entire quilting philosophy lives on. And you become a part of it yourself by continuing the story with your personal quilt.

It is wonderful to go with the flow and make decisions while working by simply seeing what fits best, what works stylistically, or what just feels right.

You see: Quilting is much more than fabric, thread, and stitches. It is a story. A flow in which you can dive in and let yourself drift. And you never know which shore you will be washed up on.

Write to us in the comments whether you had a few "aha!" moments while reading this post. And also what your next patchwork project will be.

Happy simple sewing
Birgit & Sabine