Here’s our rendition of the Frozen quilt in Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting.  The kids want to submit it for possible group quilt entry in the East Cobb Quilt Guild Show.  We’ll name the quilt and fill out the paperwork at clubs on Friday.  I’ll get the thing quilted before club showcase on March 27th. After clubs are officially over, I’ll see if some of them want to come add silver stars (clasp stitch on my Janome 6600) to add some interest around Elsa and Anna.  We could do this during their specials or recess time. It would be so cool for them if our entry was accepted.  They picked the fabrics, made the snowflake appliques and decided the final arrangement of the snowflakes in the outer border. I merely stitched it together (with a little bit of help).  We have to make our label.  I also want to make a QR code tied to a recording so the kids can tell the story of how the quilt came to be.

When all is said and done, the quilt will hang in the Media Center.

Come learn how to make a t-shirt quilt in time for graduation!

This is a hands-on technique class where you’ll learn about t-shirt prep, layout options, construction methods and quilting options.  The sample on display in the shop was made by me!  It was constructed, quilted and bound on my Janome 6600.

You are welcome to bring more shirts if you plan a larger project.  I will be happy to help you with the layout and math.  My objective is for you to have at least one row pieced by the time we leave.

Friday:  March 20th from 6:00-9:30 p.m.   OR  Saturday:  April 11th from 1:00-4:30 p.m.

Both classes at Stitch N Quilt in Mableton.

Class fee:  $30.  Please call the shop at 770-944-3356 to register.

T-Shirt Quilt Class Supply List

With kid quilts,  t-shirt quilts and others that are destined to be heavily used, I like to sew down my binding by machine. I make traditional French fold binding from 2-1/2″ strips.  I attach my binding using this method.  I flip the binding to the back and hold it in place with those little red Wonder clips. You could use the Elmer’s glue baste method used by many award winning quilters to hold your binding in place, but I can’t stand sticky fingers!  Once the binding is all secured with the Wonder clips, I let the quilt sit for a bit (or overnight) before I stitch the binding by machine.

Which stitch to use?  Of course, you can always use a straight stitch. However, my current go-to stitch is the center needle lightning bolt stitch on my computerized Janome machines (#5 on 3160QDC and #6 on 6600).  It’s actually designed to be used with knits, but it does an excellent job of attaching quilt binding.  The zigzag is so narrow it works with the straight stitch plate in place.  I use the A foot and let the “ditch” ride along the inner left toe of the foot.  You could also use a narrow zigzag (1.0 width x 2.0 length) to get a similar effect.  If you have a machine with preset zigzag stitches (like the Jem Gold 660) then experiment with the tiny zigzag and a 50# thread or the 3 step zigzag with a decorative thread such as a 40# variegated to see which one you like best. You may have to adjust your work slightly to the left since these stitches form from a left needle position on the Jem Gold 660.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to stitch that baby quilt binding down in under 30 minutes. Talk about a timesaver!