Inspirations for Starting a Quilting Hobby

Quilting isn't a difficult hobby, but it is one that takes some work. Here we will briefly show you how to begin your quilt by making a quilt top. Even a first-time quilter will be able to follow these instructions! 

First, choose the fabrics you want to use. Select a group of fabrics that complement each other. You can do this by choosing one print that has several colors as your baseline and then selecting other fabrics that use and incorporate those colors. 

Take 1/6-yard cuts of your fabric and trim them down to 5.5" wide and 5.5" tall. Ultimately, you will want 36 of those 5.5" squares. Make sure and use some of all the different fabrics you've chosen for the quilt top. 

One you have those 36 squares, assemble them as you wish in a larger, 6 x 6 square. Create a pattern you like with pleasing colors. You can get inspiration by looking through quilt patterns on the Donna Sharp Quilts at Linens-N-More.com. As you settle on a layout, use straight pins to pin the side-by-side squares together. Stitch them together with a 1/4 inch inseam. Use a straight stitch. 

When each of the rows has been sewn together, flatten the seams with an iron so that they are all pressed in the same direction. With your seam lines as a guide, match a row to the row below it, pin the sides together, and machine stitch it. Use a 1/4 inch inseam and a straight stitch, as before. 

When all 36 squares are sewn together, iron the seams again so they are all in the same direction. Your final step is creating a border. Cut four strips of fabric that are 5" wide and 44" long. Match them up to the sides of your quilt top. You can trim them to fit if necessary. Complete your border by machine stitching it to the four sides of your quilt top, with a 1/4 inch inseam.