Freedom of expression- quilting style!

Quilting is not really about simply sewing for me- it's about expressing myself through my design choices. Sewing is just the process of putting it all together. Making a quilt is about so much more...

There are choices every step of the way. First I choose a selection of fabric, then the pattern. Sometimes I do this the other way round looking for fabric that goes with a pattern I like.

Then I choose which particular fabrics I will use for particular parts of the design. Favourite fabrics get to be feature parts of the design but it all has to look and feel right to me.

I may also decide to change the size or shape of the quilt and adjust accordingly.

I usually try to make a reverse design to go with the quilt front, using any leftover material from the top. This is always my own design piercing together what is available.

I then put the top/wadding/back layers together. I don't like binding so I sew reverse sides facing and then pull through to turn right sides out before hand sewing the gap closed. I always do a straight stitch about 10mm from the edge all the way round to give a lovely firm and tidy but soft edge.

My final choice is how to quilt; sometimes I follow the seaming, sometimes I use fancy stitches, sometimes I make concentric squares and recently I've tried free machine quilting producing random patterns. This is the part I and other quilters might notice but seemingly other people are less likely to see.

So you see how every quilt I make is an expression of me. No one else will make the same choices as me, and each choice is about what I think will look best.

Until next time
Gillian

This is how the front, border and reverse all must blend and fit together to make the quilt just right!