Bring the quilt backing to the front and using it as your binding, I am bring this over from The Quilt Ladies, this post is used and still asked for all the time, Thank you for that. Just a few days ago I received this comment on my original post:
from Helen: After reading the tutorial 3 times I committed to try it.
It worked perfectly. I just followed the instructions and it worked on a table runner. This method stops so much waste of material.
Thank you for asking and here is the rest of my first quilts story. First post and you wanted more! My updated post.
My great – great grandmother was a master quilter, and her quilt lives on today with me. I, too, decided to try my hand at quilting, and boy did I learn some hilarious lessons along the way.
I signed up for a quilting class because I loved quilts and had attended some estate auctions in Burlington, Iowa and I couldn’t afford any.(1980’s) I had sewn my own clothes for years and I am pretty good with directions.
My First Quilt
Now, I’m not one to toot my own horn, but I’m pretty crafty. I’ve tackled painting, crochet, and embroidery with relative ease. Always purchasing the worse house in the best area.
Quilting, however, was a whole different ballgame. I mean, how hard could it be to sew a bunch of squares together? Very, it turns out. I spent hours measuring, marking(in the days before a cutter and mat), cutting, and sewing, only to discover that my seams were wonky, my corners uneven, and my quilt resembled something a drunk toddler might produce. After multiple seam rips and profanity-laden outbursts, I finally managed to sew together a passable quilt top. Or I thought.
Frist thing learned, choose Your Fabric Carefully. If there’s one thing I learned from my quilt making experiment, it’s that not all fabric is created equal. I have made the mistake of using cheap, flimsy cotton on a quilt, and boy did I regret it. The fabric pulled, puckered, and frayed at the slightest touch. Lesson learned: always invest in high-quality 100% cotton and my rule is purchase at the price you can afford. Your future self will thank you. I started my quilt with a clear vision of what I wanted it to look like: it was a class we all came with square cut and share. Yes, I took a class with VERY seasoned quilters and they were terrible in their not welcoming someone new. But I had paid the fee, it was a national teacher, I was young and dumb, I had a babysitter for the day and was determined to learn to quilt. And…my quilt is pretty good, if I do say so. Well…I thought, I am not giving up and attended 3 weeks later a (their) quilt guild meeting. Not knowing that corner should be square, my were curved, I hand quilted with huge stitches and laughed at, because my binding was quilted down. I was crushed, but I made a quilt, my quilt may not have been a work of art, but it was cozy and functional, and that was enough. And, I still use it to this day. I think of those days, not with found memories but with look what I do now !
Despite my initial struggles, I found myself drawn to quilting like a moth to a flame. There was something therapeutic about the rhythmic, repetitive motions of cutting, sewing, and pressing. I find myself lost in a sea of colors and patterns, my worries and stress melting away.
Whenever I wrap myself up in one of my handmade quilts, I’m reminded the time, the cutting the sewing the pieces of fabric to create something beautiful
So, if you’re feeling like a quilt, get one of my pattern books, grab some fabric, thread, and a sense of humor, and join me in the wacky, wonderful world of quilting. Who knows what hilarious lessons you’ll learn along the way! I love things with a beginning, middle and end.
I love the untold stories in every stitch, stories of long nights by lamplight, scraps saved from worn-out dresses, and hands that stitched with love, patience, and often necessity. I don’t purchase many things anymore, but I do purchase quilts. I love browsing a flea market, a local antique shop, buying an old quilt isn’t just shopping—it’s adopting a piece of someone’s history.
A Few of My to Do’s when purchasing an old Quilt
UNFOLD the quilt onto a flat surface, IF on floor ASK. At one estate sale the estate clerks, didn’t like this…I have NO idea, probably not a quilt people?!? But I asked and opened the quilt (on to the bed) and I did a bit of a lesson for them, fabric quality, stitches, binding, and batting.
Turn it over and do the same thing to the back. Again, estate sale estate clerks, didn’t like this. I did it anyway. I wanted to say…ladies please read the person, read the room. There is NO one else was not one else just them, and me?!?
All quilts at estate sales will be fading, discoloration and normal wear, they were used.
Look for stains, dry rot or brittle fabric means that is cracks when handled. Give the quilt a sniff too, a storage musty smell can be hard to remove and a smoke smell I always walk away from, it doesn’t come out. “If you’re determined to rescue a quilt with a mild odor, know that careful airing, baking soda treatments, or professional textile cleaning may help—but don’t expect miracles with heavy smoke, smoker or mildew.”
Workmanship and materials, old 100% cotton, feed sacks, wool, or silk all have a place in quilting. Is the quilt hand stitched, machine stitched, how quilted, I always seem to go for hand stitched. Hand stitched, small stitches, holding all layers together.
Pattern and design matter too, especially if you’re collecting. Some patterns—like the Double Wedding Ring, Grandmother’s Flower Garden, or Log Cabin—are more sought after by collectors.
Buy what you love! If a quirky, one-of-a-kind scrap quilt makes your heart happy, that’s more important than following what’s “valuable” on paper.
Color choices can also hint at the quilt’s age. Browns, indigos, and turkey reds often point to the late 1800s, while pastels came into fashion in the 1930s.
How will you use this quilt, or will you? “Will it live on your bed, hang on a wall, be folded on a bench, or tucked away in a collection?”
Look for Repairs and Damage Beyond Wear Check for old repairs, new patches, or even color-mismatched fabrics. Some repairs are charming and part of the quilt’s story, but others may have been poorly done or with materials that won’t age well. Look along seams and in high-wear areas like edges and corners.
Confirm it’s a Quilt (Not a Comforter or Blanket!) It sounds silly, but at some estate sales, things get labeled “quilt” when they’re actually mass-produced bedspreads or blankets. Look for the traditional quilt layers: a pieced or appliquéd top, a middle layer of batting, and a backing—all held together with quilting stitches.
Trust yourself, if the price feels too high for the condition, or if you’re getting a bad vibe from the sale, it’s okay to walk away. There will always be another quilt. And sometimes the hunt is half the fun.
Bring cash if you’re at a smaller estate sale, and don’t be afraid to negotiate a little—especially if you’re buying multiple quilts or if the sale is winding down for the day.
If you’re shopping online, don’t be shy about asking for close-up photos of both the front and back. A seller who knows their quilts should expect questions.
This quilt block is half triangles and half log cabin and one of those that make me smile !
The quilt block has a finished size of 12″ x 12″. I did cut and lay these quilt fabric colors out, you do you! I like the color likeness on the sides.
I always tell new quilters learn to make a 4-patch and you can do anything in quilting. It all starts with a square. My Etsy Shop My Books on Amazon
Square – Cut 2 squares the same size (finished size of square plus 1/2 inch) example cut 2 ½ x 2 Good to good Fabric ¼ inch seam allowance, sew Trim threads Open and Press to the dark
1)sew seam with a 1/4 inch seam allowance,
you may need to mark your machine with this measurement.
2) You can chain piece a few at a time
Cut thread and open your two squares sewn together
3)sew these two units together
Watch your color placement, sew good side to good side.
I started quilting years and years ago, 40+ years. This is my first quilt, I had started with pillow tops. I took a class in Burlington, Iowa. Which was taught by Liz Porter, at the time she was working for Better Homes and Garden, she taught and was speaking on the weekends. This was a bring 2 1/2″ squares, share with all, and do color graduation. a one day class. See my Esty Shop of MY quilt patterns
We all start someplace, I didn’t know how to do corners or how to do a double binding. We are all new once. I love this quilt, it’s home to me, it’s been packed, moved, taken, machine washed and dried for years. I will not mend or fix anything on it. It’s like me, old but still pretty good.
BUT, what I did know how to do was hand quilt. All those pillows I made. Hearts in each square and straight line on the outside edges.
I hear this all the time, you must be perfect with your quilt making.
Stop it !
DON’T be perfect, DO it ! !
Do it wrong, do it right, but DO it.
Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Books
WELL….Crazy Man is having a HUGE birthday today ! ! He asked for a quilt YEARS ago and this is the quilt he received. In honor of his birthday here is a quilt block pattern for you to make !
You asked and here it is. All The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern from my Original book stories
Discover the heart and art of quilting with The Quilt Ladies Original Quilt Patterns, now gathered together in one inspiring volume, this book is ONLY the quilt patterns, not the quilt ladies stories they are here if YOU like HERE
Nothing delights a quilter more than a fresh set of patterns—and this collection delivers. Inside you’ll find 11 complete quilt patterns from The Quilt Ladies Original Book Series, each with step-by-step cutting, piecing, and layout instructions designed to take you from your first stitch to your final binding with confidence and joy.
Center Circle Quilt Pattern page 22
This book includes a wonderful variety of quilt sizes and styles—
from impressive king-size quilts to sweet baby quilt and a table topper perfect for everyday use. Whether you’re just beginning your quilting journey or looking for a new project to spark your creativity, these patterns will inspire you to start stitching today.
First 4-Patch Quilt Pattern page 34Purple Fun Quilt Pattern page 10
Each pattern is clearly written and beautifully illustrated with layouts that make it easy to follow and fun to create. You’ll also find helpful sections on how to hand appliqué, fusible appliqué, and getting started, making this a go-to resource for every quilter’s library.
Let these patterns become your next quilting adventure—and may every quilt you make bring color, comfort, and joy to your home.
Included Quilt Patterns:
Square Star
Purple Fun
Center Circle
Table Topper
First 4-Patch
Star Lap Quilt
Log Cabin Pin Wheel
For Baby Churn-n-Dash
Garden Under the Stars
Those Teenage Years Sampler
Wedding Quilt
Bonus Sections: How to Hand Appliqué
How to Fusible Appliqué
Getting Started in Quilting
124 pages of original quilt patterns, instructions, and creative inspiration.
B. Annie Quilt Pattern is all about ME! I don’t say that a lot.
This Quilt started with a simple Bear Paw quilt block and then drawing and drawing sixteen quilt blocks that took that simple block and made all sixteen mine.
The quilt as always going to have white background, I love quilt lines on white fabric, pink of course that’s me, adding color with greens, red, in both solids and prints. The outside border is pieced with green square and triangle leaves.
Have you ever made a quilt and as each quilt block is finished you giggle at what you just did? This is how I felt as this quilt was going together, into a finished eighty-eight by eighty-four-inch quilt. Kind of Perfect.
That’s my B. Annie quilt all about ME! Should say that more, one of my faults? Maybe it’s just taking care of so many.
Now IF you have read this far?!?! and who does?!? I am going to share these! Yes, AI helped me do them.
BUT I did all the art, all the quilt blocks, all the sewing, quilting, the quilt book cover, and naming everything, it HELPED me put it together in an ad sheet… AND I LOVE it! Just need to share !
AND it took me a bit of time to do!
I know my drum beats different than others. And, that’s just fine with me. With being silence I don’t have to share your drum beat, thoughts or goals.
My tap dancing to please everyone else has stopped. My silence is not acceptance, it’s usually fury and most others are not worth my anger. Anger harms me more than them, truthfully it exhausts me, I give myself the gift of quiet, peace and kindness to myself. Age has added years and a whole lot more perspective.
So, when you see my doings, (art, photos, quilts),
it’s my drum beat. My Book
Even My Style has Changed
Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Book
Make your quilt block, add batting heat resistant, and quilt. Trim the batting even with your quilt top
Cut one backing 1″ from the quilt edge
Fold the backing to the edge of the quilt, 1/2″, I like to press it down
Fold the corner over as shown
And then do the steps as before, 
Sometimes at the corner you will have to move it around a bit
When I get it like, I like, pin and I press a bit, between pins and at the corner
I like doing 2 rows of stitching, just my personal like.
