Creating a quilt is a timeless and beloved pastime, connecting generations with the same joy and love that comes from crafting a masterpiece from pieces carefully chosen and arranged together. Adding a patchwork quilt to your repertoire of hand-crafted items is a rewarding experience and there are a few steps you’ll need to understand before beginning. In this article, you will learn how to sew quilting squares together for your new quilt creation. With the detailed instructions, photos and tips that follow, you’ll be stitching together squares in no time!
How To Sew Quilting Squares Together
Sewing quilt squares together is an art form and a great way to create beautiful quilts with intricate patterns and designs. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, this guide will walk you through the steps of accurately measuring and sewing quilt squares of various sizes together. With this guide, you’ll learn everything from the tools you need to tips for joining different sized quilt squares. So, let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
To begin stitching your quilt squares together, there are a few essential items you will need. You should have the following items and materials handy:
- Quilting fabric in a variety of colors and patterns
- A rotary cutter and cutting mat
- Sewing machine
- Sewing and quilting needles
- Thread – either polyester or cotton
- Aligning pins
Once you have your materials, you can move onto the next step – measuring the quilt squares. To ensure that your finished quilt will look the way you want it to, be sure to measure each of your quilt pieces carefully with a ruler or measuring tape. You may want to draw out a pattern of the quilt before you begin stitching to ensure everything lines up properly.
To join the quilt squares, you’ll need to use your sewing machine to stitch them together. To create straight seams on the quilt, align the edges of the quilt squares carefully and use pins to hold the fabric in place. If you’re joining quilt squares of different sizes, use matching threads and a presser foot to create even seam allowances.
When finished, use a pressing cloth and iron to press the seams. Keep in mind that pressing the wrong side of the quilt can cause the fabric to pucker, so make sure you always press on the right side of the quilt. Now you can finish by adding batting and backing to the quilt before quilting as desired.
Finally, if you’re having trouble sewing the quilt squares together, here are some of our top tips:
- Use a walking foot on your sewing machine when possible to create a straight seam
- Start with a slightly larger seam allowance when joining quilt squares to ensure a proper fit
- Before cutting squares for your quilt, press your fabric to ensure the pieces fit together correctly
- Test the tension of the machine by stitching a scrap of fabric before quilting
Follow this guide and you’ll be sewing beautiful quilt squares together in no time!
Measuring Your Quilt Squares
When measuring your quilt squares it’s important to take accurate measurements and make sure that all the sides of your quilt squares are of equal length. The most common way to do this is to use a ruler and measure from the side at each corner diagonally going from corner to corner. Then double check with your ruler a second time to make sure the sides are the same length. It’s also important to make sure your quilt squares are square and not rectangular.
The size of your quilt squares will also be determined by the measurements of the quilt top. The quilt top is the largest quilt square which you piece together first and all the other quilt squares will be sized personally to your quilt top. To get the perfect fit, you need to decide the size of each quilt square, which will form each row in the quilt.
Here’s a list of tools and materials you will need to accurately measure your quilt squares:
- Ruler
- Fabric measuring tape
- Ironing Board
- Quilting Square Templates
- Glue stick
- Quilt batting
Using measuring tape is a good option if you have large quilt squares that need to be measured. However, for smaller quilt squares, a ruler is the more efficient and accurate tool to use. To ensure your quilt squares are even, you should use a ruler to measure each corner of the quilt square.
Quilting square templates are also useful for getting your quilt squares to the right size. You can also use a glue stick to hold your quilt squares together while you measure. This makes it easier to see whether or not your quilt squares are accurate and the same size. Be sure to not use too much glue, otherwise it could be difficult to remove when it dries. Alternatively, you can also use quilt batting to hold your quilt squares together while you measure.
By following the steps above, you can easily create perfect quilt squares that will fit together to create a beautiful quilt.
Sewing the Quilt Squares Together
Sewing quilt squares together is a relatively simple process and just requires a few tools. To begin, you will need a sewing machine, some thread and a quilting needle. Once you have all of these items, you can start sewing your quilt squares together. Start by placing two squares together, right sides facing each other. Make sure the edges of the squares are aligned and the fabric is not stretched. Then, stitch a straight line along the edge, going through both layers of fabric. Be sure to use a small stitch length and a moderate tension to ensure even stitching.
Once you’re done stitching, use a pair of scissors or a rotary cutter to trim the excess fabric away from the seam. This will make the finished quilt look neater. Iron the seam open and then use a ruler and a washable marking pen to draw a line on the quilt about one quarter of an inch away from the finished seam. This will be your seam allowance.
Next, lay the next two squares out so that the raw edges are next to the seam line and stitch them together. Continue adding squares in the same manner until your quilt is finished. When you reach the last two squares, make sure that the pattern on the fabric lines up with the quilt top. Then, stitch the last two pieces together and press the seam open.
Learn How To Join Quilt Squares of Different Sizes
Joining two quilt squares, of two different sizes, can be a tricky process. But with careful precision and the right tools, it can be managed.
If your quilt’s pattern is diagonal, the most efficient way to join the two quilt squares is to fold the edges that face each other onto each other and Iron them. Then, fold the larger square sides so that the two diagonal fold lines meet the center line. Finally, stitch along the two fold lines.
If the pattern is horizontal or vertical, you will need to pin in intervals along the larger square’s sides, stretching the fabric until the two squares are the same size. Then, stitch along the pinned edges.
Tips For Joining Quilt Squares of Different Sizes:
- Measure your quilt squares twice and cut once.
- When pinning the larger square, pin the edges together in intervals to ensure even stretching.
- Iron before pinning and stitching the edges to ensure a good bond.
- Start stitching from the center and work your way out.
- Test stitch a small corner before stitching a larger portion.
- Use a seam ripper to fix mistakes quickly and accurately.
- Finally, practice makes perfect when it comes to crafting quilt squares of different sizes.
Using these tips will help guide you to joining your quilt squares of different sizes easily. With practice and patience, you’ll become a pro in no time!
Tips for Sewing Quilt Squares Together
Tips for Sewing Quilt Squares Together
Sewing quilt squares together can be a tricky task, but with the right tips and tricks, it can be done easily and quickly. Here are some helpful tips that will make the process much simpler:
- Use a Quarter Inch seam allowance – This is probably the most important tip for sewing quilt squares together accurately and neatly. You’ll want to use a ¼ inch seam allowance, which means the width of the stitch should be ¼ inch away from the fabric edge. This results in more even and accurate seams and better overall quilt quality.
- Double-check your measurements – Make sure that your quilt squares are cut to the exact measurements you need before you begin sewing them together. Double-check the measurements against your pattern or cutting guide, and make sure that the seams line up properly before you begin to sew.
- Tape the seam before sewing – Use a piece of tape to hold the two quilt squares in place while you sew. This will help keep the squares from slipping or shifting while you sew. It also provides a reference point to guide your seam and make sure that it’s straight.
- Press and backtack seams – After you’re done sewing, press the seam with an iron, making sure that it lays flat against the fabric. This will help keep the quilt squares in place and prevent shifting. You’ll also want to do a backtack at the beginning and end of the stitch to make sure that the seam is secure.
- Use a walking foot – A walking foot can make it much easier to sew quilt squares together. A walking foot moves the fabric along as you sew, so it won’t slip or shift, and it helps ensure that the seams line up properly.
If you keep these tips in mind, you can be sure to achieve the perfect quilt!