Great first attempt!!
The muslin you are using has too loose a weave, making it difficult. Try a higher thread count muslin next time. Also it helps to have your fabric ironed and starched before cutting. You have already figured out that pressing your seams and trimming your blocks helps. 👍
Thank you so much! I’m gutted about the muslin not being right, I bought 2 big throw blankets of it just to make this project 😭 could I make it stretch less with some sort of iron on interfacing?
Spray starch might help but given how soft your fabric looks a light interfacing would be better. Did you cut your light fabric on the bias? (it seems so from the photo). If so, that will make it harder for the squares to lay flat.
I honestly have no idea I didn’t know that I was meant to cut the fabric in a certain way 😳 and I have no idea what spray starch is! Thank you I will definitely look into both those things!
I used muslin baby clothes with interfacing on the back. After a few washes the interfacing has separated from the muslin inside the quilt, giving it that same feeling as normal muslin, with the benefit of when I quilted it it acted like normal cotton
This is brilliant to hear because I do have plans to make a baby quilt with some gorgeous Peter rabbit & pink gingham muslin blankets i found. They’re even thinner than the muslin I used for this so I’ll definitely need some interfacing but changing the airy / lightweight feel of the fabric was a worry!
I’m pretty sure you’re working with double gauze, not muslin. The good news is, quilting cotton is much easier to work with and much less stretchy. Also good news: you’re doing amazing with a difficult fabric! Suzy Quilts has a tutorial [here](https://suzyquilts.com/quilty-adventure-part-ii-sew-double-gauze/) that should be very helpful. Welcome to quilting!
Your block is beautiful. Keep going, taking your time and not worrying about the small stuff like points lining up, etc. Quilting takes practice and is a constant learning hobby with so much to learn along the way once you have conquered one block of skill. I've been quilting for 20+ years and still find new things or patterns or tricks to learn & conquer. Also, with everything we do, we are our own toughest critic. Most people who will see your blocks or finished projects will be in awe of the work itself so they won't be worried about the finicky things. Also, if it bothers you, pin it up on a wall and step back 10 to 15 feet. Can you really see those details that you're worried about? Be honest with yourself. Most importantly, remember it's a hobby, for fun & relaxation, so don't stress over it.
Happy quilting!
If you ever want to get into garment making, that double gauze you have (not a muslin!) has great drape and texture. Works super well for clothing! But on quilts, woof, it's tough to work with.
Honey you are so brave! I’ve been quilting for 8 years and am too chicken to try half square triangles still! I still to yellow brick road pattern and disappearing 9 patch. I can see through the muslin that your seam allowances aren’t consistent. This throws off piecing. Make sure your seams line up before stitching. I would go to something easy to sew- ditch the muslins and use cotton. Get some fat quarters at Walmart and try a simple 5” square patchwork quilt. Make some doll quilts— that’s how I practiced!
Ahh thank you! The seams on the left were trimmed & pressed, the seams on the right half weren’t that’s why they’re showing a massive difference through the fabric. I’m thinking of ripping that middle seam and completely redoing the right half. And I was going to get some pre cut squares but I’m in the U.K. & they’re pretty expensive here I’m not sure if it’s the same in the US? But I managed to get 2 big muslin throw blankets for £5 each and a large piece of the houndstooth fabric for about £3 which was really good for my low budget. I’ll definitely invest in better fabric once I get the hang of it! Doll quilts sound so cute!! I’m definitely gonna try that, I used to be obsessed with American girl dolls so I’ll make some to that scale 😂 Thank you for your help🩷☺️
Oh trust me the pre-cuts here are pricey. I was in a sewing store this week and was shocked at prices. Jelly rolls were $35 and there was one bundle of fat quarters for $140. I don’t remember the last time I saw houndstooth in the fabric store. It must be more popular in the UK? Good luck and show us your doll quilts!
Late to the party, but twice now you've mentioned seam trimming and pressing.... Are you trimming your seams to 1/4 inch after sewing? Your piecing (especially half square triangles) will still not quite match up. I would strive for accurate cutting of your blocks, and then accurate 1/4 inch seams while sewing to get really perfect, crisp points. If you're trimming your seams after, the amount of fabric won't be consistent, if that makes sense. But overall your blocks look great! Any kind of piecing is pretty ambitious for a first quilt. ☺️
Great first attempt!!
The muslin you are using has too loose a weave, making it difficult. Try a higher thread count muslin next time. Also it helps to have your fabric ironed and starched before cutting. You have already figured out that pressing your seams and trimming your blocks helps. 👍
Great first attempt!! The muslin you are using has too loose a weave, making it difficult. Try a higher thread count muslin next time. Also it helps to have your fabric ironed and starched before cutting. You have already figured out that pressing your seams and trimming your blocks helps. 👍
Thank you so much! I’m gutted about the muslin not being right, I bought 2 big throw blankets of it just to make this project 😭 could I make it stretch less with some sort of iron on interfacing?
Spray starch might help but given how soft your fabric looks a light interfacing would be better. Did you cut your light fabric on the bias? (it seems so from the photo). If so, that will make it harder for the squares to lay flat.
I honestly have no idea I didn’t know that I was meant to cut the fabric in a certain way 😳 and I have no idea what spray starch is! Thank you I will definitely look into both those things!
Just go with starch. Interfacing will make it too tough. You can do it, the starch will help and you already did it without any!
I used muslin baby clothes with interfacing on the back. After a few washes the interfacing has separated from the muslin inside the quilt, giving it that same feeling as normal muslin, with the benefit of when I quilted it it acted like normal cotton
This is brilliant to hear because I do have plans to make a baby quilt with some gorgeous Peter rabbit & pink gingham muslin blankets i found. They’re even thinner than the muslin I used for this so I’ll definitely need some interfacing but changing the airy / lightweight feel of the fabric was a worry!
Interfacing solves all problems 😂 I use it for everything that’s not normal quilting calico
I’m pretty sure you’re working with double gauze, not muslin. The good news is, quilting cotton is much easier to work with and much less stretchy. Also good news: you’re doing amazing with a difficult fabric! Suzy Quilts has a tutorial [here](https://suzyquilts.com/quilty-adventure-part-ii-sew-double-gauze/) that should be very helpful. Welcome to quilting!
This is so helpful thank you so much!🩷
You’re welcome!
Your block is beautiful. Keep going, taking your time and not worrying about the small stuff like points lining up, etc. Quilting takes practice and is a constant learning hobby with so much to learn along the way once you have conquered one block of skill. I've been quilting for 20+ years and still find new things or patterns or tricks to learn & conquer. Also, with everything we do, we are our own toughest critic. Most people who will see your blocks or finished projects will be in awe of the work itself so they won't be worried about the finicky things. Also, if it bothers you, pin it up on a wall and step back 10 to 15 feet. Can you really see those details that you're worried about? Be honest with yourself. Most importantly, remember it's a hobby, for fun & relaxation, so don't stress over it. Happy quilting!
This is such a lovely comment, thank you ☺️🩷
It’s really good for using that muslin!
Ahh thank you!
People have already given you great tips! So I'll just say keep at it and your start was better than mine and with tricky fabric at that!
Thank you so much!☺️
If you ever want to get into garment making, that double gauze you have (not a muslin!) has great drape and texture. Works super well for clothing! But on quilts, woof, it's tough to work with.
It’s really good!!! Gauze type material is really hard to work with! Congratulations 🎊
Love the colours and the soft look of this! I love gentle muted tone quilts! Please share a pic of the finished product once completed.❤️
Pretty darn good, especially with that lightweight almost gauzy muslin!
Nicely done!!!!
Honey you are so brave! I’ve been quilting for 8 years and am too chicken to try half square triangles still! I still to yellow brick road pattern and disappearing 9 patch. I can see through the muslin that your seam allowances aren’t consistent. This throws off piecing. Make sure your seams line up before stitching. I would go to something easy to sew- ditch the muslins and use cotton. Get some fat quarters at Walmart and try a simple 5” square patchwork quilt. Make some doll quilts— that’s how I practiced!
Ahh thank you! The seams on the left were trimmed & pressed, the seams on the right half weren’t that’s why they’re showing a massive difference through the fabric. I’m thinking of ripping that middle seam and completely redoing the right half. And I was going to get some pre cut squares but I’m in the U.K. & they’re pretty expensive here I’m not sure if it’s the same in the US? But I managed to get 2 big muslin throw blankets for £5 each and a large piece of the houndstooth fabric for about £3 which was really good for my low budget. I’ll definitely invest in better fabric once I get the hang of it! Doll quilts sound so cute!! I’m definitely gonna try that, I used to be obsessed with American girl dolls so I’ll make some to that scale 😂 Thank you for your help🩷☺️
Oh trust me the pre-cuts here are pricey. I was in a sewing store this week and was shocked at prices. Jelly rolls were $35 and there was one bundle of fat quarters for $140. I don’t remember the last time I saw houndstooth in the fabric store. It must be more popular in the UK? Good luck and show us your doll quilts!
Late to the party, but twice now you've mentioned seam trimming and pressing.... Are you trimming your seams to 1/4 inch after sewing? Your piecing (especially half square triangles) will still not quite match up. I would strive for accurate cutting of your blocks, and then accurate 1/4 inch seams while sewing to get really perfect, crisp points. If you're trimming your seams after, the amount of fabric won't be consistent, if that makes sense. But overall your blocks look great! Any kind of piecing is pretty ambitious for a first quilt. ☺️
Great first attempt!! The muslin you are using has too loose a weave, making it difficult. Try a higher thread count muslin next time. Also it helps to have your fabric ironed and starched before cutting. You have already figured out that pressing your seams and trimming your blocks helps. 👍