Free Embroidery Designs

I have some silks from color guard that I have already put together. I want to put them on a quilt for someone. It doesn’t have to necessarily have to be a quilt, but maybe a blanket. (I hope that isn’t the same thing to make me sound like an idiot.) Anyways. What is the best way to do this?

A basic quilt is easy. First you need to decide if you are going to make a lap,twin,full size. Then you need to buy material for the backing and a package of batting. Now when you say you have put the silks together-does that mean you have sewn them or just laid them out in an design. If you have already sewn them together you will need to square up the top. Then how about a border in a contrasting color. You would need to make strips about 4 1/2 inches wide by the length of the top(to sew on the sides of the top. then strips the width of the top(to sew on the top and bottom). Once you have done this you are ready to make the quilt. You would now put the material for the back down first, then on top of that put the batting and then lay the top on the batting. That is called a sandwich. the quilting is easy,too. If you have a machine you would want to use your free motion foot. I would then change my needle and put a size 10 or 11 embroidery needle in to sew with (this will not break the threads in the quilt material). For your quilt stitch use a meandering stitch.When done with this you would just turn the raw edges under and stitch all around the quilt and you are done.If you do not have a machine that you can quilt on then do it by hand. Get a large hoop and Do the same meandering stitch and finish it the same way. It will take a little longer to do but it is easy. Make sure to use quilting thread for machine or hand quilting thread. Lastly, if you have not decided on a design for the top of your quilt I would suggest that you make a crazy quilt with the silks. That would be cutting different shapes and sizes then sewing them together. You could then use fancy embroidery stitches to quilt with.

My mother has made quilts all her life. some completely by hand, others completely by machine or a combination of the two. I think I would like to pursue quilting on a mahine. Any advice on how to get started? Not that it matters, but I’m a guy.

Sure you can, sewing is not just for girls! Quilting is an art form, and guys do art. And guys quilt.

There are several, as you pointed out, kinds of quilts, patchwork might be good to start with. It has to do with some math, a ruler, some precise cutting and sewing, perfect for a guy’s brain.

There is also applique, where designs are cut out, and top stitched onto a quilt. I have a handmade applique quilt the design is dogwood. This might be great for someone who loves color and design, but can’t draw or paint very well.

and there is embroidered, where a quilt block is obtained, it may have a embroidery design printed on it, or this can be done from scratch. You embroider the quilt top, an then choose a backing and filling just like the other quilts. My Grandma did this kind, I have several.

The internet is loaded with how to instructions, mostly free, and patterns and ideas. About.com, e-how, and this place: www.quilting101.com/styles/patchwork-​quilts.html -all three have some nice help, the browser, when you type in how to make a patchwork quilt has pages of ideas.
In my area, we have several quilting stores, they sell the fabrics and supplies, and patterns, one even has quilt blocks and other household goods with blank patterns. They also sell antique and newly made quilts. Go find a store, or look online, and see what the quilts sell for. You will definitely be considering starting quilting. It can be profitable. And quilt making is definitely back in style. and I found the employees at all the places to be very knowledgeable and helpful.

There are also sewing classes in my area, my friend teaches some for someone. She teaches quilts, and just taught a class about aprons, they are back in style too.

You could find joy in creating an heirloom, for your own heirs, or for someone else. And they make marvelous gifts, an heirloom baby quilt for new parents, a wedding quilt. Patchwork purses, tote bags, Xmas decor, lap warmers, the list goes on and on.

Find a simple design, where you do not have to match a design, in other words avoid stripes for you first project. Find a pattern you like, and follow it. It should tell you how many yards of how many fabrics to purchase. And give you templates, or instructions of how to cut the pieces, and how to lay them out and sew them.

there are competitions, and showings out there for quilts, there is one in this area every year. Oh, my goodness, so ornate and beautiful.

things you should know? Buy the best dacron quilt batting you can, so it will not bunch up and ruin your work. Be precise with your work, one little error can snowball, since each pattern on the quilt depends on the precision of the one before it. You could have a really ugly mess very quickly. Learn to bind the quilt, put it together yourself. My grandma belonged to a church group who did this for people, to make money for the church. They were good. You can also hand quilt, this can be very beautiful It involves buying quilt frames, my Aunt inherited my Grandma’s frames.
Check out tying a quilt instead of quilting it. That could be cute for a casual quilt, I have one of those, too. I made that one.

I hate to ask, but is your Mom still available for lessons, or does her work still exist? It might honor her, if you wish or want to do so, to utilize some of her work, finish something she never got done, recondition something, remake, or re-purpose things. I have an old patchwork quilt I am going to repair and use, it is just waiting for Rivers to have the time. Don’t know who made it, probably Grandma.