Quilting has evolved dramatically over the years. Not only have the designs changed, but the techniques as well. Instead of doing most of the work by hand, quilters are now turning to their sewing machines. Jane Price, a passionate quilter who teaches quilting classes at Sewing Machines Etcetera, explains that a basic sewing machine can be used to create beautiful quilts.
Sewing Machines Etcetera offers a variety of quilting classes. For the beginner, students learn how to cut the fabric, assemble the pieces and do the quilting. Advanced quilters can benefit by honing their quilting techniques and learning new skills like embroidery.
“What we’ve seen is the departure from traditional quilting – cutting your fabric, taking it apart and sewing it back together again. Now we’re seeing the use of embroidery in our quilts. So we can take a regular 10-inch block and add embroidery to that block,” says Price.
Today, quilts can be found all over the home, instead of being confined to the bedroom.
“People have so many ideas and they don’t just want to make bed quilts anymore,” explains Price. The traditional designs have been replaced with quilts with endless arrays of patterns, colours, and fabrics. “It’s really become an art form,” admits Price.
Memory quilts are also a trendy new twist. These keepsake quilts incorporate special pieces of fabric such as a child’s t-shirt or blanket. Photographs can also be added by printing them on special fabric.
Once all the sandwich pieces are put together, it’s time to assemble the quilt. Price notes that most quilters to send their quilts out to be finished, but she suggests with access to the right equipment, quilters can get the satisfaction of finishing the project themselves. Sewing Machines Etcetera has a Mega Quilter 18 x 8 Long Arm, which students can rent to finish their quilts. Once you’ve completed two classes introducing you to the machine and ensuring you are comfortable using it, you can finish your quilt for a fraction of the cost of sending it out to be completed.
For those quilters who have a difficult time envisioning the final quilt, Sewing Machines Etcetera offers software classes where students can design their quilts virtually. Students can view different colours, designs, patterns and embroidery and then choose their final project plan.
If you’re interested in learning how to make your own quilt, visit
www.sewetcetera.com.
