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‘Dream to Achieve’ quilting preparations

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'Dream to Achieve' I'm Quilting Along With Nannyalans pen logoLogo for Margie done

Now that we have our quilt tops, it is time to think about the next stage – sandwiching the quilt!  So let’s take a look at ‘Dream to Achieve’ quilting preparations:

You will need:

Your quilt top

Wadding

Backing

Pins  – these are curved and come in packets of different quantities.  You will need about  160 – 200  OR  you may choose to use Basting Spray (I have never considered using it as, with Fibromyalgia, I am super sensitive to chemicals)

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Tape – this is packing tape but anything like masking tape is Ok too!

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A spoon – just a spoon!

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Now is a also good time to think about how you might quilt your new quilt.  If we go back to my original:

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I wanted to quilt this using my walking foot,  (I suggest you beg, borrow or buy one AFTER you check in your accessories box)  If you need to buy one, take a record of your machine name and model number so that you can check that you get one that fits!!

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If you want to try Free Motion Quilting, by all means do – you might have a foot in your accessories so check there first!!

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I used black thread on both the top and the bobbin.  When you are starting out, it is a good idea to use the same colour so that any little tension issues are not obvious.  So, consider your own quilt top and backing and make a selection.  There are so many colours available – a variegated thread also provides an interesting finish across multiple colours.  I will probably choose a colour that ‘sits right’ with my sashing.

When I looked at the quilt,  I let the fabric design guide me:

On the ‘hands’ block, I traced my hand and used that as a template and twisted and turned it across the strip.  The turtles I let ‘swim’ in water waves and I followed the diagonal stripes in the other.  The other I followed the circle and joining ‘track’

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In the sashing, I stitched in the ditch and then eye balled other lines – I didn’t want it to look all ‘exact’ !

So as you can see, the quilting part is totally an individual choice.  You might choose to do all straight lines.  The most important thing is that you give it a go and have FUN!

I hope this helps you prepare for the next task.

 

Until next time

Nanny xx

‘Dream to Achieve’ – A Quilt Along

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Today I am excited to announce my first Sew Along on this site –  the ‘Dream to Achieve’ Quilt Along!

I put this quilt together after three members on my ‘Nanny Sews’ Facebook page, expressed their desire to learn to make a quilt.  They wanted to make a  block quilt for a single bed.

While this is not ‘new’ in terms of pattern design (you will find many variations around the traps) I have used standard fabric sizing to make purchasing  of fabric on-line an easy option.

 

Finished size:

90″ x 60″

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In deciding on the  name ‘Dream to Achieve’ I considered:

1. The dream shared by the three members to learn to make a quilt

2.  The Indigenous prints I have chosen; and

3.  The inspiration that I hope it will take with it, as it finds its new home at The Barwon Learning  Centre in Moree, NSW .

The Barwon learning Centre staff and community under the leadership of the Principal,   Margaret Hayes, have been achieving incredible results with their Educare approach.

Something that you may not know about Nanny is that I spent the majority of my teaching career in the area of Indigenous Education and for some of that time was based in Moree in the North West Region of NSW and, something else you wouldn’t know, is that Margaret and I were two of the four Margarets in our high school year- Haysey and Henry – and we were great friends.

Life’s journeys took us in different directions after school and regretfully we lost contact for many years but I am forever amazed at how life circles special people back into our lives, and, through the wonder of modern technology, we have both mastered Facebook and become ‘friends’  all over again!

I surprised Margie with the news that I would like to give her the quilt, to use as she sees fit, to help further the wonderful work of TBLC!

 

Now let’s do the hanging on the clothesline shots!

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and then some more creative shots!

 

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Can you tell I just love this quilt?

So let’s get down to details!

I will publish tutorials/ guides as we work at our own ‘Dream to Achieve’quilt.  I can’t wait to see all of the variations!

I am also excited to say that, due to some lovely sponsors (read that as friends who have offered to help), we will be having some fun along the way with some very handy little prizes for up and coming quilters to enjoy!

So, if you would like to learn some basic quilting skills, or maybe just make the quilt for fun, please join us in this adventure.  for those with a blog,  I’ve even made a button for you to pop on your page to tell others what you are doing!

Nannycraft4u

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

It is really easy – just pop on over to my Facebook page ‘Nanny Sews’ to join in the chats, questions, sharing etc  BUT if you are not into Facebook, that’s OK too because all of the info you need will be right here and you can share your photos in the  Flickr group that I have set up for us.

Do you HAVE to do any of that?  No, of course not –  it is entirely up to you how much you participate, but from my experience, it makes it more fun to join in and share with other members of the group.  So I am hoping that you will join me in ALL aspects of the Quilt Along!

To be eligible to ‘win’ any of the prizes, you will need to be an active member, sharing and interacting with the group.

PREPARATION:

Start thinking about your fabrics!

Things to consider:

Who will the quilt be made for?

What colours would you like to try?

Will you use plains, prints or a combination?

What do you have in the stash that could be suitable?

GET EXCITED!!!!

I will post a detailed list of requirements during the week.

I hope you will join us and Dream to Achieve!

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Until next time

Nanny xx

DREAM TO ACHIEVE

Tutorial 1 – Preparation:  http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/05/dream-to-achieve-quiltalong-preparation/

Tutorial 2 – Preparation 2:  http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/05/dream-to-achieve-quilt-along-preparation-2/

Info  – Meet our Sponsors:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/05/dream-to-achieve-meet-our-sponsors/

Gift Pack Winner 1:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/05/dream-to-achieve-gift-pack-winner/

Gift Pack Winner 2:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/06/dream-to-achieve-gift-pack-2-winner/

Tutorial 3 – Joining the Strips:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/06/dream-to-achieve-joining-the-strips/

Gift Pack Winner 3:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/06/dream-to-achieve-gift-pack-3-winner/

Tutorial 4- Quilting Preparations:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/06/dream-to-achieve-quilting-preparations/

Tutorial 5 – Pinning the Quilt:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/07/dream-to-achieve-pinning-the-quilt/

Tutorial 6 – Quilting the Quilt:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/08/dream-to-achieve-quilting-the-quilt/

Tutorial 7 – Walking Foot Quilting Ideas:   http://nannycraft4u.com.au/2015/08/dream-to-achieve-walking-foot-quilting-ideas/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Nannycraft4u

All content and images belong to Nannycraft4u unless otherwise indicated. You are welcome to link back to my blog, but you may not copy whole posts, tutorials or photos without my permission. Please give credit for my work and link back to the original post at Nannycraft4u.com.au If you use one of my ideas, I would love to know about it. Designs and tutorials are for personal use only.