Do you need to know how to sew with a machine to quilt?

[Freya]

Ive always loved quilting but never actually done it. Ive always been fascinated by sewing too but after a disasterous turn in sewing class, 8th grade, it scarred me for life and Im not game enough to get back behind a sewing machine

But I would love to make a quilt for myself out of all my important bits and bobs ie babies special clothing, my wedding shawl etc. Do you need to sew with a sewing machine to quilt?

If I were to get brave and decide to step into a sewing machine store and purchase one; will it take me years to be able to even turn the thing on? Ive only just learnt to cook decently and Im 25 sooooooooo this could be a very long work-in-progress

[LimeSlice]

lol had to have a giggle at getting scarred for life! For what it is worth, I aslo failed miserably at Year 8 textiles with Mrs Burt...silly old bat she was! lol

No, you don't need a machine. It will take significantly longer though. It really is very very simple to sew a quilt with a machine - it is all just straight stitches and you don't even have anchor stitches either

Many people still do the actualy QUILTING by hand on their machine-sewn quilts. You will need a cross stitch hoop and some patience, but the process is still the same.
Contrary to popular myth, quilting is actually very very simple. It is however meticulous, methodical and precis work, but can also be remarkable quick depending on the pattern you are using.

Go watch some You Tube vids on it, have a look and see what is involved and have a go!

WRT to the sewing machine, if you are machine quilting you will need a machine capable of sewing the multiple layers of the quilt together (the batting can be quit thick and tough depending on the type you use) so it will need to be good quality and fairly tough. Having said that though, most basic machines will surfice.
I love my machine, a Bernette 92c - it is a fairly mid-range machine, cost about $500, and very easy to use.

Anyway, the upshot is, your experience of high school textiles is nothing that cannot be overcome and quilting is fab way to clear the mind and relax (I love methodical tasks).

HTH Good luck!

[~clover~]

Well I had no sewing experience other than year 7 at school & I started making nappies & stuff last year. I've been interested in doing some quilting too next time I can get to spotlight.
There was a show a few weeks ago. Umm better homes & gardens maybe? They made a quilt that looked very simple. It was kinda shag style. I'll see if I can find it...
Well its not on the site, you gotta buy the mag. Its called rag quilting. Might be worth a look. All you do is cut out your 3 layers, the batting layer a bit smaller than the top & bottom layers. Then put the pieces together (top, batting, bottom) & sew diagonally together. Then sew all the pieces together, with the edges sticking out at the top. You do a few cuts along the edges & put in the washing machine so it frays a bit. Done.
I'm not sure if that explains it very well, but if you flick through BH&G next time your at the checkout you might see what I mean. Looked very very easy to me

[AnyDream]

I had horrid memories of Grade 8 sewing disasters (complete with humiliation) but my love of patchwork overcame!!

The thing is, if you buy a nice machine at a sewing machine shop, they should throw in some 'get to know your machine' sewing lessons, which covers everything from how to thread/bobbin, tensioning, etc, through all the more complicated manoeuvres. After that it's a good idea IMO to enrol yourself in a basic patchwork class because they will introduce you to lots of really handy tips like how to cut quickly and accurately with a rotary cutter, how to keep your seams tidy, and how to iron and pin it all together in the quickest neatest way. They will also show you how to actually quilt it when you get to that point - many people still hand-quilt even after they have machine pieced - because they enjoy having something to do with their hands and it gives a lovely finished effect - but takes a lot lot longer.

[BekZ]

Ive always loved quilting but never actually done it. Ive always been fascinated by sewing too but after a disasterous turn in sewing class, 8th grade, it scarred me for life and Im not game enough to get back behind a sewing machine

OMG that is so me. Although I have pulled my old machine that my mother gave me and just stared at it lol

[Freya]

Oh Im a total oddity because my mother and all the grandmothers sew, plus on inlaws side they all sew too. I just could get it right in highschool so gave it up as a bad joke. That said; my family used to criticise my cooking quite alot as a teen but now both my sister and alot of friends go on about how good I am at it so Im thinking it might end up the same with sewing if I can give it a whirl again!

Will look into a sewing machine and some quilting classes. Thanks for the fantastic advice ladies!

[Willow]

Freya, I'm hearing you. My mother and MIL are both awesome sewers and quilters. They are both very creative and put me to shame. Sewing and learning to play the piano are the two things I'd love to do (you may have noticed the piano in our front room gathering dust! I truly did try to get lessons but couldn't find a teacher).

I keep thinking about getting my mum to teach me to sew, but I guess I'm too scared i'll just suck at it and I'd be a bit heartbroken over that. I guess I'm a bit lazy too because I know anything I want or need I can just get my mum to do for me! LOL

I'd LOVE to be able to make my own clothes and dresses and stuff for DD. That would be awesome. I think you've inspired me to talk to my mum about it

[Fleur]

I did my two quilts entirely by machine - no way do I have the patience for hand quilting :P

The first one was a learning quilt,lots of trial & error & I chose the batting for my second based specifically on the fact that it would be machine quilted - so, a much thinner batting (which is fine in QLD anyway).
All I did in the way of quilting was a diagonal stitch across the rows each way (so like a diamond apttern) very basic, not a fancy as some can be but it came out fine. Well the second one was better