My First Quilt! (plus lessons learned...)

A quilt for my daughter's room has been on my "to-do" list for a long time.  But a full size quilt just seems like a huge project for a beginner with no quilting skills.  I'm still very intimidated by the thought of making one. (I have done just about everything I can to avoid starting on her quilt.)

I've done a few simple fabric piecing projects like this patchwork tunic top and shorts.  Then I moved on to actual quilted projects like my quilted table runner and tablet cover.

Recently, I stumbled across a super-cute fat quarter set from Riley Blake.  (Sew Cherry, and on sale, of course!).  The fabric set just screamed summery vintage picnic quilt and I had to buy it.  I thought it was perfect for a very simple picnic-sized patchwork quilt and would be good practice before I cut into my daughter's quilt fabric.

Here is the crazy part...  After cutting up all of the fat quarters, I realized I had enough for two quilts.  So, you guessed it!  I made 2 quilts and will give one away to a lucky reader.  Giveaway details will be at the bottom of the post.

Bias binding for two quilts?  Yep, it was a bunch...

She caught a baby frog here.  Little frogs are so cute.  I have a tutorial coming for her dress in the next day or two...

Everyone has been enjoying the quilt, including the neighbors cat!

A few things I learned while making these quilts (that I wish someone had told me):

~A walking foot will make your life so much easier.  (Thank goodness I already had one.  It is great for bias binding!)

When quilting, use a new appropriately sized Quilting needle.

~I used a flat sheet from Wal-mart for the back of the quilt.  I was experiencing some skipped stitches on the back of the quilt and had to spend a significant amount of time picking out those stitches and redoing them.  I did a little Google-ing on the subject and found a bed sheet is not always the best idea.  Some sheets are woven very tightly and will cause the needle to flex and it won't be able to catch the bobbin thread, causing a skipped stitch.  The Walmart sheet is definitely woven very tightly in comparison to an Ikea sheet I have... (A twin size flat sheet from Walmart is $5 and a twin white flat sheet from Ikea is under $4.)  Has anyone used one of the Ikea sheets, I am wondering if the batting shows through.  Does anyone have tips or knowledge to add on this subject?

~You can use a differnt color bobbin thread so the threads on the top and bottom of the quilt will blend better.

~Start your pinning and quilting from the center and work your way out.  (Helps keep puckering to a minimum.)

Iron the backing and use spray starch.  (You may be tempted to skip this step, but don't!)

~505 basting spray...  Get some, 'nuff said!

Now, on to the giveaway details.  

Just in time for all of the end of school year picnic lunches and summer picnics, one of my lucky readers will win this handmade, 47 X 63 picnic quilt.  The giveaway period is 4/24 through 5/2.  Open to US only.  Good luck!  (If you are on my homepage you will have to click below to enter...

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