Okay don't laugh but I'm trying to make a simple quilt to use as a window covering. I cut a white sheet to size then cut out a bunch of 4 inch squares. Here's my questions: What kind of batt do I ask for at the store? Do I sew all the squares together then re-sew to the batt and backing or do I just sew the squares individually? I bought this hand held sewing machine to try so I plan on a lot of practicing but I sort of need some basic guidance. Kirk.......I said DON"T LAUGH!!

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2003

Answers

I commend you for even trying this project. Many men would run away screaming. Come to think of it, many women too! ;-)

Regarding the batting -- what is this window quilt supposed to accomplish? If you are trying to keep the cold out, you might want to consider getting a product called "Warm Window". It has mylar sandwiched in it and it will repel cold better than just a plain quilt batt. Of course, where you live, you may not need as much protection as we do in the frigid regions. If you just need a regular batt, you want one that will hold together without a lot of close together stitching. I think they are usuallly called "bonded". Try to find a knowledgeable salesperson (yes, just TRY -- good luck!) and tell her/him that you want a batt that doesn't need close quilting. You probably want a polyester, and I don't think I'd recommend anything thicker than about 1", probably less.

The squares (or other shapes) pieced back together is usually called the "quilt top", and many people make the whole quilt top, then lay out the backing with the batt on top of that and the quilt top on the batt -- then they quilt through all layers, and do a nice finish on the edge. That is one way (and the most time consuming, IMO).

Another is to do all those layers, but instead of quilting through all them, you make a "tied" quilt. This means you sew a piece of thread or yarn down through the quilt, and then back up again about 1/4 " away. Tie a secure knot (this is where yarn works better, it is easier to secure the knot -- but it's also harder to sew that yarn through the layers. You need a big strong needle. Personally, I would just do "bar tacks" with my machine, but I'm not sure your handheld jobbie will do that. It would probably have trouble sewing through all those layers too. :-(

What I would recommend is that you make the whole quilt top, and do it this way: Sew together a number of squares to make a strip wide enough to cover the width of your piece. [Remember, all those seams will decrease the size of your squares -- if you use a 1/4" seam, your squares will end up being 3-1/2 inches; if you use a 1/2" seam, your squares will end up begin 3 inches.] Then sew another strip, and another, until you have enough to cover the length of the piece [remember to consider the seams]. Take two strips, put them right sides together, sew the strips together. When you have sets of two strips sewn together, sew those together to complete the top -- you could keep doing it in pairs, or just add one set onto the last one you sewed. Gad, I hope this is clear!

Okay, when you have the top finished, lay it out on a flat surface right side up, lay the backing on top of it with the right side down, and pin it together all around (so it won't shift while you are sewing). Sew around three sides (so it's like a giant pillowcase) and remove the pins. Lay it out again (doesn't matter which side is on top), lay the batting on top and trim it to the size along the stitched lines. Carefully turn the "pillowcase" right sides out, keeping the batting inside. Lay it out again, make sure everything is smooth, trim the edge of the batting at the open end if necessary. Put pins in it randomly to keep things things from shifting. Turn in the edges, enclosing the batting, and stitch the open end shut. Do the quilt ties, then remove the pins, and the quilt is done.

Now, how are you going to hang it up at the window? Do you want it to cover the window all the time, or are you going to need to move it out of the way sometimes, or what? How big is this going to be? I probably would make suggestions to modify it, depending on your answers. Again, I hope this was understandable!

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2003

I use embrodery thread instead of yarn. Makes it easier to do the tied approach. The tied may not be good for windows though because the batting may sag with weight after a while so I suggest doing the bar tacks that Joy suggested. Start from the MIDDLE and work your way out or you will have lumps.

If you put loops onto the side before you sew the top, batting and bottom together, you can have a nice hanger to put a dowl or curtain rod through. If you don't understand, I can make a drawing or better yet, I think I have a pattern for a baby crib set somewhere that has it and I could e-mail the basics.

Last little thought is that it may be difficult to sew all those 4" pieces together with a hand held machine. Get alot of straight pins and don't sew too close to the end (1/4" in) or it will rip through when you make it inside out again.

I think it is great you are making this. Nothing like it. I made a baby blanket for a hunter friend of mine (they even named the kid Hunter) They loved it but loved it even more when they found out I made it. It had all different wild animals on it (most of which this friend has hunted) and camo for the backing. The hardest thing was putting on the filled trim.

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2003

Thank you Joy and Dee! That really helps get me started. Its just going to be 2 simple window coverings about 4 ft square to keep out the cold. I thought I'd just loop the top and slide it on a dowel so its out of the way in the summer. If I can manage to make the 2 windows look decent I may tackle the 6 ft sliding door later. I saw an article in Countryside by Sue Robinshaw and I thought they looked nice.

I hope you guys don't mind me pestering you cause I know I will need more guidance....kirk

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2003

Well, ask away, Kirk, when you have more questions. And put pics on your website when you get to that point!

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2003