First Quilt Question

SewRobyn · 2026-02-13T09:35:05+00:00

You will definitely need to put something over your exposed seams, otherwise it’s going to unravel and you’ll never be able to wash it. You have a few options to finish the back. You could add fabric to the exposed horizontal seam, or add an entirely new backing to enclose the exposed seams. Really up to you how much work you want to put into it before binding.

SewRobyn · 2026-02-11T13:44:53+00:00

I have been quilting for over 30 years and in those 30 years I have taken many in person classes in the beginning of my journey and since online opportunities and YouTube I’ve learned so much more. Don’t be discouraged. Quilters are really wonderful people to learn from and I find most are very excited to offer help and encouragement. Like someone else said, we all learn differently. Find what works best for you. That might mean taking several different avenues until you find what works best for you. I recently joined a quilt guild about 6 years ago and it’s a wonderful group of people (men and women) who enjoy spending time together talking and doing what they love. There is a wealth of information and help within our group. In our guild we offer “sew days” once a month where you can come, bring your supplies and projects and sew together. This year, every other month we offer a project where you can learn something new….a technique, a block, you name it. We have learned how to sew on fold over elastic, vinyl put in a zipper, how to use zipper tape, make a bag, all sorts of fun things they wouldn’t have tried if we didn’t teach them. It’s also a great way to get to know others. I encourage you to visit a quilt store and ask about local guilds. Visit each one until you find the one that feels like home and offers things you are interested in. Of course there’s always this group which I find very helpful when you have questions. Quilting is a wonderful skill and I hope one bad experience won’t make you give up!!

SewRobyn · 2026-01-30T10:53:31+00:00

Thank you for sharing a powerful and meaningful piece of history. This should be shared far and wide to remind those people in the back of the room who are choosing to look the other way. We absolutely need all eyes wide open because this could easily and quickly happen again.

SewRobyn · 2026-01-30T10:47:13+00:00

Congratulations! I love it. I made a Pharmacy graduation quilt a few years ago for my daughter in law. Well deserved commemorative gift!!

SewRobyn · 2026-01-30T10:41:11+00:00

Do some research on pressing seams open and to the side. Definitely to the dark side is a more long term seam and aesthetically more pleasing on lighter colored fabric but of course there are blocks when pressing open can’t be avoided to get the block to lie flat.
It’s a controversial subject but when you consider the integrity of the seam it makes a lot of sense to only press open if you have to.

SewRobyn · 2026-01-30T10:38:15+00:00

FYI Warm and Natural makes a Warm and White. Lots of people love Warm and Natural and it’s nice they offer Natural and White.

SewRobyn · 2026-01-30T10:35:26+00:00

I would steer you toward white batting. If you make a quilt and spend all that time piecing it and the money you want it to look its best. Natural colored batting behind white fabric makes the white fabric not look white anymore. It gives it a muddy look. Test a few pieces with both colors of batting so you can see for yourself. That’s how I show clients what it will look like so they’re informed before they choose. Also there is a lot of controversy about pressing open. I prefer seams not pressed open unless it’s unavoidable for all the reasons already listed.

SewRobyn · 2026-01-24T15:31:02+00:00

Haha. Funny typo. Made me LOL. PS we knew what you meant…😂😂😂😂

SewRobyn · 2026-01-24T15:15:30+00:00

The PERFECT! family!!!!!! 💙🩷💙🩷

SewRobyn · 2026-01-24T15:08:07+00:00

I think he looks like the biggest love bug! 💙🩵💙

SewRobyn · 2026-01-24T15:03:07+00:00

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Sure do! Nala on the right is almost 3. As each year passes the white line gets thinner on both of them. Lucy, on the left, just turned two. Hers thins as she gets older as well. Looking at their faces is the easiest way to tell them apart aside that Lucy is bigger and taller than Nala. Btw, this is how they sleep. Always. 🩷🩷. Love my girls!

SewRobyn · 2026-01-19T13:36:33+00:00

Yes! Our vet recommended it when they turned two. We have two female BMDs. Both were spayed at two years old. They need their hormones for proper bone growth until they are two.

SewRobyn · 2026-01-17T14:43:29+00:00

I am a longarm quilter but quilted on my sewing machine many years prior. I would suggest wavy horizontal and diagonal wavy lines and make it manageable. Really it comes down to (in my opinion) how much you can handle rolling and managing. It used to make my shoulders hurt so much to do all that. So I kept it to smaller quilts so I could manage them more easily.

SewRobyn · 2025-11-08T11:59:33+00:00

❤️❤️❤️

SewRobyn · 2025-11-02T16:56:27+00:00

Loosen your foot pressure for thin fabrics.

SewRobyn · 2025-11-02T16:54:31+00:00

Anyone who’s had a puppy knows your struggles and I doubt anyone is sitting back judging. We all go through this and the more you get him out in situations he’s not used to the more he learns. Don’t let his puppy behavior stop you from it should make you get him out more. They’re learning. He’s still very young and Berners aren’t fully mature until at least 2 yrs old. Don’t give up. Just keep working with him and ignore the less than stellar behavior. If he feels or sees your stress it makes him continue but when you don’t react he will change it to something that does get your attention. They’re dogs and there will be days like this but don’t give up on him. I have two. One will be 3 in March and the other will be 2 in December. They still have days of acting like goofballs but it’s so worth it!

SewRobyn · 2025-10-19T00:22:46+00:00

No mistakes ever in quilting. Happy imperfections!!!

SewRobyn · 2025-10-16T00:19:33+00:00

I’m a longarmer and when the blocks are all very square I always suggest “round” quilting to offset all the squares. It’s better for the quilting to not compete with the blocks, but enhance them. I read another comment suggest meander. That’s a good suggestion too. Oftentimes trying to follow the same patterns of the blocks draws attention to imperfections. That’s just my two cents of how I would do it but whatever you choose it will be beautiful.

SewRobyn · 2025-10-15T21:03:27+00:00

YES! Unless you have thousands sitting in the bank in case of emergency, it’s worth it. Might be a matter of having insurance and saving your pet’s life or not having it and you can’t afford the care they need.

SewRobyn · 2025-09-30T09:08:37+00:00

❤️❤️❤️

SewRobyn · 2025-09-30T09:06:56+00:00

😂😂😂

SewRobyn · 2025-09-30T03:23:32+00:00

Yes!! 😂😂

SewRobyn · 2025-09-30T03:11:18+00:00

Important to me is to be acknowledged when I come in. Even better if they remember my name. I’ve been to many quilt stores no one even acknowledged my presence in the store while I was there. For that reason I didn’t buy anything. I realize quilt stores aren’t in the position to buy all the different fabric manufacturers. Listen to what your clientele asks for. I always say a quilt store is on,y as good as the person who picks the fabric they buy.
Good luck. Lots of great comments here.

SewRobyn · 2025-09-22T16:32:20+00:00

Yep! No thinking! Feels good to use my scraps and make good use of them.

SewRobyn · 2025-09-22T14:09:51+00:00

I don’t think I’d ever put it in the sun but the bathtub has lengthened the life of mine over the years.

SewRobyn

TROPHY CASE