Part 2: The basic quilt stitch

Part 2 - The Basic Quilt Stitch

Quilting is the process of stitching those three layers together. The stitching can be plain and utilitarian, a straight line, or you can use curves or stitch in shapes.

In this lesson, you will need:

• Batting
• Quilt top
• Masking tape
• No 3 Cotton Darner
• Quilter's pins
• Contrasting thread
• Quilt back
• No 8 Cotton Pearl thread
• Iron
• Pressing mat

1. Decide which way you are going to quilt your quilt. I quilt the shortest side of my quilt, working from right to left. Ultimately, though, this is up to you.

1. Place the quilting ruler along the bottom edge of the quilt and measure 3 cm (1 in) from the right edge of the quilt. Take a marking tool and create a line across the quilting surface.

1. Once the lines are marked on your quilt, grab a number 3 Cotton Darner needle and a thread. I use a cotton pearl thread in No 8.

1. Measure a length of thread longer than your quilt. If you are making a larger quilt, use a smaller length of thread, measuring from your hand to your elbow or shoulder.

1. Once you've got your thread you want to thread your needle.

1. Grab the end and tie a knot or make a quilter's knot.

1. Take the end of your thread and place it over your forefinger. Take your needle and place it over the thread, trapping the thread under the needle. Take your thread and wrap it around the end of the needle twice. The more you wrap your thread around the needle, the bigger the knot will be.

1. With your thumb and forefinger of your opposite hand, hold the thread tightly and wrap it around the needle.

1. Push the needle through your fingers and pull it all the way down to the end, creating a knot.

Tip: you can use the blunt edge of a knife or a butter knife as a marker.

Hiding your knot in the quilt

1. Turn your quilt away from you. Take your needle and thread and start your stitching at the beginning of the creased line you made previously.

1. With your needle and thread, go under the quilt top and wadding but not through the backing of your quilt, about 5–8 cm from where you want to start stitching.

1. Stitch through all three layers only after you've secured your hidden knot in the quilt.

1. With your finger or thumb, put some pressure behind the knot, press down on your quilt top and with your other hand pull the thread until the knot pops inside your quilt top. Give the knot a rub to secure it.

Tip: we want our knots to sit in the quilt top and not in the hem and boundary of the quilt top to avoid accidentally cutting them when removing the backing and wadding layers.

Stitching

1. Move the layers of fabric back into the stitching position.

1. Following the lines, score into the fabric and do a simple running stitch through all the layers. With your needle and thread, go into the quilt every half a centimetre, making sure your stitch is going through all three layers. Stitch away until you finish your quilt; tie off your stitches.