The Wonderful World Of Patchwork And Quilting
If you’ve recently learned to sew and feel inspired to try your hand at making a quilt for the first time, you might be wondering where on earth to begin. First things first, you’ll need a sewing machine! Once that’s sorted, the fun part begins: choosing the type of quilt you'd like to make. The options are nearly endless!
If you’ve recently fallen in love with sewing and find yourself ready to take on your very first quilting project, it can feel a little overwhelming at first, especially when you're faced with so many fabric options and techniques, rest assured that you’re not alone in wondering where to begin. Sewcialising to the rescue! :)
Patchwork quilting allows you to let your creativity run wild! You can design your own quilt blocks, dive into a colourful jelly roll quilt, or simply start cutting up your favourite fabrics and see where the journey takes you. That said, if you're feeling unsure about fabric choices, colour schemes, or how everything will come together visually, I would highly recommend starting with a patchwork quilt pattern. It offers a sense of structure while still giving you room to play and experiment.
Don’t be afraid to explore and have fun with your choices, quilting is meant to be enjoyable, after all! But if the idea of deciding on fabrics and patterns feels a bit overwhelming, quilt kits can be a great place to start. We’ve got some lovely patterns available in store that suggest everything you need to get started.
Can I Sew A Quilt On My Domestic Sewing Machine?
In terms of sewing a quilt on your domestic machine, this is totally doable. Most people will wonder if they need an expensive longarm machine or if their home sewing machine is enough? The good news is: Yes, you certainly can sew a quilt on your domestic sewing machine! In fact, many quilters, myself included, have made dozens of beautiful, finished quilts using nothing more than a regular home sewing machine.
With the right techniques, tools, and a bit of patience, quilting at home is absolutely doable, even for large quilts! It can be more challenging for larger quilts, but it can be fun and so rewarding to learn how best to do this!
Key Tools & Equipment That Will Help Your Quilting
Fabrics - Naturally, one of the first things you'll need for your quilt is fabric, but it's not just about picking pretty prints for your quilt top. You'll also need a quilt backing fabric, ideally a wide width fabric designed specifically for this purpose. That said, many quilters opt to use a large bed sheet for the backing, which can be a more budget friendly and convenient option, especially for larger quilts. For traditional patchwork quilts, 100% cotton is generally the best and most reliable choice, it’s easy to sew with, washes well, and gives a classic finish. However, quilting is a creative process, and there’s absolutely room to experiment. I've also made quilts with a fleece backing so it's nice and cosy. It is personal preference! Equally, I’ve seen quilts made up using tweed, jersey, and even curtains as backing. It is your project, so you get to choose what you'd prefer to use!
Wadding Fabric - Also known as batting (particularly in America), wadding is the soft, insulating layer that sits between your quilt top and backing fabric. It adds warmth, thickness, and a cosy feel. Wadding comes in a variety of weights and materials such as cotton, polyester, wool, or blends, allowing you to choose the perfect option depending on the look, feel, and use of your quilt.
A Walking foot – I would say this is a must have for quilting. It prevents layers from shifting and helps bulky fabrics going through your machine. (It is also really handy for knit fabrics and when making jeans for example). *Please do ensure this foot is compatible with your sewing machine.
A Free-motion foot / darning foot – This is not a must have if you plan to just straight stitch your quilt, but if you would like to sew shapes and custom curves or motifs, I would recommend investing in one. *Please do ensure this foot is compatible with your sewing machine.
An Extension table - This is certainly not a necessity, but if you do invest in one, it does add more flat space to your table space which can support your quilt or patchwork block.
Quilting gloves – These come in different sizes. Quilting gloves are also not a necessity, but they really are fab and not too expensive. They improve your grip and give more control whilst sewing and they avoid your quilt getting dirty.
Basting spray and/or baby safety pins – Both a must have for securing your fabric layers. Some quilters use one or the other, but I like to use both basting spray and safety pins tools to really help keep my quilt layers secure whilst sewing.
Tips for Quilting on a Domestic Machine
Start small: Perhaps start with a patchwork cushion cover or try a baby or lap quilt first - this will ease you into quilting as opposed to challenging yourself with a huge quilt as your first project.
Clips & Pins: It is essential that you have lots of sewing pins and quilt clips to secure your quilt block in place whilst sewing.
Roll or fold your quilt: This will make it more manageable to handle and fit through the sewing machine throat space. We sell quilters roll clips in store to assist with this.
Quilt in sections: Consider using the technique quilt-as-you-go, a block-based quilt method or a jelly roll quilt. Each technique is really fun and will make things easier if you are a beginner quilter as it will section your project and make it more manageable.
Use your machine’s speed settings: If your sewing machine has a speed dial, lower your speed when needed as it allows for more control and avoid making mistakes.
Take breaks: Quilting can be physically tiring; give your arms and back a rest and do not try to finish a quilt in one sitting. Take regular breaks and take your time. Making a quilt takes a long time, sometimes weeks and months! Don't put pressure on yourself to finish it, as that's when mistakes happen. Take regular breaks and try not to get flustered if anything does go wrong.
Challenges and Workarounds: Acknowledge that space can be tight under the machine arm. Large quilts can be bulky and heavy, don't be too hard on yourself. If you are struggling with the weight of the quilt or with the physical tiredness of quilting, then take more breaks and be kind to yourself. You will finish your project in the right time.
Free-motion quilting has a big learning curve, but that's not to say it isn't feasible to learn! These challenges can be overcome with practice and the right setup.
When Should You Consider a Longarm or Mid-arm Machine?
If you have made your quilt top but do not fancy spoiling it with wonky stitch lines or if you're unsure you will manage finishing it off on your domestic machine, you can also look to send your quilt top off to a longarm specialist. They charge you a fee and finish your quilt off for you. This will include basting your quilt top, so attaching the wadding/batting to your quilt top, adding a wide backing fabric, then quilting your quilt with lines or a cute motif and then finally adding your binding fabric to the edges. This can be a costly service but is an option for some people. It certainly takes the stress away of having to quilt the full project but you still have the fun of sewing up the quilt top yourself.
If you're quilting professionally or making many large quilts, purchasing your own longarm machine may be worth considering. But for hobbyists or occasional quilting, a domestic machine is totally sufficient. Longarm machines are very costly and have a huge learning curve to them. I wish we had the space in our shop for a longarm. I have considered getting one before, but I don't think I would have sufficient time to really get to grips with how to use one, so for now I have avoided investing in one. But never say never haha!
Anyway, just remember to not let your sewing machine limit your creativity! With the right approach and a bit of patience, you can absolutely create beautiful quilts using your home sewing machine! I have made lots of quilts for friends and family members over the years. The image on this blog post is a quilt I made for my lovely Nana actually. She has sadly passed away now, but she absolutely loved this cosy lap quilt. I used a super soft pink fleece fabric for the backing and I added a tunnel for her to keep her hands warm - gifting her it is a memory I will always cherish. Making a quilt is fun, but gifting a quilt is also super special. Quilting is also a lovely way to remember loved ones. I love quilting and patchwork in general and would recommend it to others as an alternative to dressmaking too.
If you’re still feeling unsure about where to start or would simply like a bit of guidance and encouragement along the way, we also host patchwork and quilting classes at Sewcialising. We currently run a monthly quilt class, which is a great opportunity to learn new techniques, get hands-on help, and connect with other like-minded people in a relaxed and friendly setting. We welcome people of all skill sets! We’re also planning to add more patchwork and quilt classes very soon, so keep an eye out for upcoming dates and themes, we’d love to see you there!
