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Understanding Fabric Grain
Cutting out fabric is not as simple as just placing the
ruler on the fabric and making a cut.
Great care must be taken to consider the grain of the
fabric.
When you cut squares, you want to cut parallel to one of the
edges of the fabric.
When you cut triangles, you will have one side that is on
the bias. This is where it is VERY important to cut
correctly...
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Fabric Braiding
The Fabric Braid is another great Block for
the Frugal Quilter.
This block is easy, and requires nothing more than strips of
fabric three times as long as wide.
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Nikki Wilson Willhite
Webmaster of All Things Frugal.com and FRUGAL QUILTING and Editor of The Free Pennypincher Ezine and the Frugal Tightwad Tidbits Daily
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Frugal
Quilting
Frugal Quilting, Lessons, Tips, and Quilt
Blocks
Home |Lessons|Challenge Blocks|Block Showplace|Blocks
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All About
Quilting
Quilting can be easy or hard. This objective of this site
is to teach you how to make it easy and economical. There
are so many ways to quilt, so many techniques, tools and
fabrics. This site will teach you the basics...
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All About
Color
Nothing has more impact in your quilt than color. No color
stands alone. The play of colors next to each other is
what makes quilts dramatic and bold, or soft and subtle.
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Starting to
Sew
Getting Your First
Stitches Right
When you first begin sewing, your
fabric may not properly start, especially if you are
beginning on a point. It may get "grabbed" by the feed
dogs, make a big knot, and stop. There are several way
to prevent this...
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Choosing Your Fabric
Tips for Frugal
Fabric Shopping
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Collecting fabric can
become a passion with Quilters. Watch out for the lines at the
fabric stores during a sale! A Quilter's collection of fabric is
called a "stash".
Quilts made from many different fabrics, called "scrap quilts", are
more reflective of the older quilts and very popular. One of
the joys of quilting is to be able to choose from a wide array of
fabric when making your blocks.
In general, you should buy 100% cotton fabric. It washes and wears
well, and has many advantages when it comes to pressing. Store your
fabric out of the light, let it breath, and it will last for
years.
Try and buy an assortment of light, medium and dark value colors to
give interest and character to your project. Vary the designs.
Include both small and large scale prints, and include fabrics that
look solid from the distance, and small and large prints.
Include both white and black in your quilt for more interest.
Not all the fabrics in
your quilt should be "stars". That would make your quilt too
busy. Give you eyes a place to rest by surrounding the more
flamboyant patterns in your quilt with more "tranquil" pieces.
Here is a sample of
just a few of the types of fabrics available today in 100% cotton
designed for quilters. There has never been a better time to
quilt with the huge array of both fabric and tools we have available
today. Is it any wonder fabric collecting becomes such a
passion? |
Small Floral Large Floral Novelty Batik
Abstract
Juvenile Batik
Toile
Plaid Dots Juvenile Seasonal
Solid
Tonal Stripes
Checks
Folk Art
Learning
to Quilt - Let's Get
Started!
Lessons....
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Quilting Units
The 4-Patch
The 4-Patch considered to be
the easiest quilting unit to construct. However, it can
still be difficult for the beginner. Here are some tips to make
it perfect...
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Strip Piecing
The Frugal Block
Strip Piecing was invented for the frugal
quilter! It is a great way to use up bits and pieces of fabric that you
have left over from other projects...
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Watercolor Quilts
Watercolor blocks and piecing
is great for beginners, as you are only dealing with
Squares.
When I first started doing
watercolor quilts, I purchased the 2-inch fusible grid to make the
process easier and faster. I soon learned I didn't like the added
bulk from the fusible....
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Making the Fabric Work for You
Below is a picture of one of my recent quilts.
Notice that it is all squares. However, because of the
strong floral fabrics,
it doesn't feel too angular. It is very
simple quilt- nothing but squares.
The fabric is doing the
work to make this quilt pretty.
Notice also the fabrics that read solid from a distance.
This gives
the eye a break from all the pattern.
Click
Here to see an Easy Autumn Quilt
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