The BEST lesson from this old quilt is indeed “Don’t sweat the small stuff”! I obsess over getting everything right on my quilts, to the point of not always enjoying the process! Thank you for this very valuable lesson.
I am so happy this helped! I love the saying, "Finished is better than perfect" and I try to live by that. I get hung up on this, too, and find it is even more frustrating when I am making projects for videos, because I think I should be perfect if I am going to demonstrate something. I need to be better at this, too! Thank you!
I think you are right! I know that's how I feel and I am on TH-cam. When doing tutorials, I feel the need to be perfect at it as a way of showing credibility, but in reality, I think I need to be better at showing "real" quilters (like the real me) who aren't at all perfect. This is inspiring me to be better at showing my mistakes. Thank you! I will have a video coming up about one of my disasters that recently happened. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This quilt reminds of the quilts my mama made when I was young. She used what she had and put them together anyway as long as it got made. Matching points was not even thought of in the making. These squares were cut and sewed in a row and then stitched together. the reason for some of them being turned was to get a quilt top the size needed with the amount of squares were cut. My mama used older blankets that had seen better days as batting and even older quilts that had become slightly tattered as batting. Some of them were so very heavy we couldn't roll over under them. I got to help mostly with the tie tacking when I was young and later was at the machine sewing the squares in rows. Flat sheets were used mostly for the backing but this was a good idea for this quiltmaker. You have found a treasure.
I completely agree. So those old heavy blankets that were made on old blankets are called Haps here in Central Pennsylvania. I am not sure if they are called Haps everywhere or not. I feature a few in this Lessons from an Old Quilt series. I will have to look at the titles. I think one is called The Ugly Quilt. They are great and are my family's favorites. They are the original weighted blanket! LOL! As for putting whatever together in this one, I don't think this is a Hap (I could be wrong) because there is a definite order to the construction, it just didn't work out the way I think it was intended to work out. That said, I could be wrong and it most certainly could be a Hap, like you said. Either way, it is a wonderful quilt--so happy and cozy--and something I will use for years to come. Thank you so much for commenting and watching! ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for sharing. This is often how I make baby quilts--pillowcase turned and using pre-quilted batting from Joann for the backing. However, I do machine quilting instead of hand tying. The pre-quilted fabric that I buy has straight diagonal lines so I follow those lines and quilt from the backside.
The busy-ness of the colors and patterns in this quilt keeps the fact that the blocks don’t match up with each other hidden. It has an old-fashioned look for the same reason. One of the reasons I don’t use my scraps more is that they don’t seem to go together. Looking at this quilt, I think I should just sew them together and not worry about the matching.
YES! I think you are right! I need to be better at this--putting whatever together and being less concerned about matching both in the points and in the colors. This quilt gave me so many lessons. Thank you for sharing and watching. ❤️
I don’t see anything wrong with this quilt, I love it for the lack of perfection. There seems to be too much perfection in the quilting world. The reality is, no one is perfect, period, so why make your life harder in trying to be perfect. I am completely content with my mistakes. Pre quilted fabric is a lot more expensive, so I don’t go that road. I have sewed a quit right sides together and sewed it, but I still made a binding because I like the look of binding. I wanted to top stitch it after turning it out but in adding binding, I got the top stitching, win win.
This quilt reminds me so much of one my mom made for me when I was really little. I’m 45. I’ve had the blanket all this time until Hurricane Harvey. I don’t know where it is! I’m hoping that in all the chaos I didn’t leave or somewhere or lose it but I haven’t found it yet. Makes me sick to my stomach.
Oh no! I hope you find it! Are you in Pennsylvania? Send me a picture of it, and I will be on the lookout for it. If you are not in Pennsylvania, I can show a picture of it and feature it on a video. Maybe a viewer will find it for you. My email address is sewthedistance@gmail.com .
I think this quilt is great--so much energy. but, if you wanted to impose some order or work as you got you fabrics, you could make a 20 by 18 inch square. one row of 4 blocks with the short ends sewn together and the next row of 5 blocks sewn with the tall ends together.
Pre-quilted fabric like that was popular in the mid 1970's,calicos were popular in the 70's and early 1980's. I think some of the fabrics in your quilt are 1960's. Your quilt was probably assembled in the 1970's.
That's my thought, too. It could have been assembled in the 80s, too. My local quilt shop still carries the pre-quilted fabrics. I think they are making a comeback. It is a great way to finish a quilt.
As I watch you, I'm working on a binding. Two corners were fine and two were horrid. It's a show quilt so they had to be as perfect as possible. Four tries later, some improved sewing and I've finally got it. Also, I have a top that somehow the batting and backing fell short. I noticed after I started quilting. Total frustration until it dawned on me...it's a full-size quilt and I don't need one that big. So instead of adding, I'm going to take off some of it, and make it a throw. Problem solved.
We really are master problem solvers, aren't we? As for binding, I always have at least one unruly miter, so I feel your frustration. Why is it at least one decides to do its own thing? I mean, I sew them all the same! LOL! Thank you so much for sharing your tips on how to problem solve and mentioning the binding frustration. ❤️❤️❤️
Loved this quilt. I have one that was made out of polyester. It was hand pieced, has prequilted material on the back and is tied. It was also sewn right sides together and turned. I got mine at a church bizarre. From what I can tell it was made in the early 1970's. I swear I can feel the love coming from this quilt. And some of my friends have said the same thing when they saw it in my living room. Thanks for sharing this quilt today.
I am so happy you mentioned feeling the love! I feel that with some of my vintage and antique quilts, too! It is as if the makers put their emotions into the quilts. Oddly, I don't feel it with all of them, but there are some that just ooze with love, and this is one of them. I can feel that the maker enjoyed the process and was making it with love. I know it seems crazy--but I know what you mean! Thank you so much for sharing this story. Quilts are truly amazing. ❤️❤️❤️
@@SewtheDistance I have about 22 vintage quilts and I only buy them if they speak to me in some way. Some people say I'm nuts but I truely can get a feeling from the maker by the way they stitched it, the materials they used and the condition it is in. So let people say what they will. I cherish each quilt I have.
Never thought about the idea of quilted fabric as the backing. Love this idea!! So many ideas from these quilts. Great video Kris, thank you for sharing!!
Lovethis quilt. I think it works because of the fabric choices. So bright & cheery. Your eye focuses more on the fabric than if everything aligns. If I had a cottage, I would want a quilt like that for the bed. Kind of reminds me of a granny square afghan made with scrap yarn.
Great idea! I think that would be amazing. Someone comment on here about the sizes you could use. Although they aren't as small as 2.5", I am sure you would figure out a pattern that would work. So happy this gave you some inspiration! Thanks so much for watching and sharing!
What a bright quilt. When you see such simplicity in the home quilt makers ideas I am beginning to think that maybe quilts have taken on a new league these days. They have become much more show ponies than quilts of previous years when they were made by everyone and for a practical reason. Yes, quilts are beautiful these days with their just so mitred corners and coordinating fabrics and fancy quilting patterns joining the layers together but these quilts of yesteryear made by anyone who can cut and sew are the workhorses of quilts. Their ability to use whatever and sew the way they can work out how to do it is so original and inventive. Just goes to show, really there are no rules and regulations, just make your quilt.
Yes, yes, and yes! I agree with all of this! So true. It really has become a competition of sorts, hasn't it? I was with a good friend of mine shopping for fabric a few years ago. She was a new quilter at the time and said, "I don't care if corners don't match. It is suppose to be fun, not stressful!" I never forgot that. It made me think about when it became stressful for me. When did I start stressing about things matching? I am sure I was carefree at one point with quilting, right? Anyway, after that I got better. Also, if you go back to the early Lessons from an Old Quilt videos, I am much more critical than I am now. I have learned so much from this series! I have grown as a quilter. I hope others have, too. So happy you enjoyed this one. ❤️❤️❤️
May work good for a walhanging but Pre Quilted fabric is done with Poly as the batting as well as the fabric expect it to be at least a poly mix if not 100% ..makes it for a hot not breathable quilt...
Great point! I usually use a cotton/poly blend for my batting, but I also live where it is cold, so this is nice. Others may not like it, which makes sense. Thanks for pointing this out!
I love the idea! It usually is a polyester batting--this is true, but it is oftentimes more durable and holds up to hundreds of washings a bit better. And it is a pretty easy finish! I just love it!
3:30 .....MY QUESTION ... about the backing ... how did she join the pre-quilted fabrics together to make a larger quilt then the pre quilt fabric size.
I have done the no binding technique before and on smaller quilts it is easy but I found on larger quilts when I turned them it was hard to get the top fabric to lay even with the backing, one would always be larger or bunching as I sewed. I think using the prequilted fabric would take care of some of that as it would not matter if you are just going to tie it after. Lovely quilt, thanks for sharing.
I agree! I haven't done a no binding technique on a large quilt either. I do like how the maker left the entire one side open. I may try that, along with the prequilted fabric backing. I think it was really smart! Thanks for watching and commenting!
That could be it. I haven't seen them with cotton batting either. It could also be for durability reasons. I usually use a poly/cotton blend in my quilts just because they really hold up to washing and drying a bit better than 100% cotton. That said, nothing betters the cozy feel of 100% cotton, that's for sure. So maybe, because these prequilted fabrics are meant for placemats, totes, etc., they use polyester. Of course I am sure cost is a reason, too! Thank you for mentioning this. Great point.
@@lesleygilbert1945 OH! The cotton shell type of pre-quilted fabrics is usually found in cotton section of quilt shops and stores. If you are near a Joann Fabrics, they have some in their quilting section. Sorry about the mix-up!
The BEST lesson from this old quilt is indeed “Don’t sweat the small stuff”! I obsess over getting everything right on my quilts, to the point of not always enjoying the process! Thank you for this very valuable lesson.
I think our desire for perfection in our quilting journey comes from seeing all the perfect quilters here on u-tube.
I finally learned to not be hard on myself for anything. I strive to improve and that’s the best I can do. That’s the way I see it.
I am so happy this helped! I love the saying, "Finished is better than perfect" and I try to live by that. I get hung up on this, too, and find it is even more frustrating when I am making projects for videos, because I think I should be perfect if I am going to demonstrate something. I need to be better at this, too! Thank you!
I think you are right! I know that's how I feel and I am on TH-cam. When doing tutorials, I feel the need to be perfect at it as a way of showing credibility, but in reality, I think I need to be better at showing "real" quilters (like the real me) who aren't at all perfect. This is inspiring me to be better at showing my mistakes. Thank you! I will have a video coming up about one of my disasters that recently happened. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Love this! So true. ❤️
This quilt reminds of the quilts my mama made when I was young. She used what she had and put them together anyway as long as it got made. Matching points was not even thought of in the making. These squares were cut and sewed in a row and then stitched together. the reason for some of them being turned was to get a quilt top the size needed with the amount of squares were cut. My mama used older blankets that had seen better days as batting and even older quilts that had become slightly tattered as batting. Some of them were so very heavy we couldn't roll over under them. I got to help mostly with the tie tacking when I was young and later was at the machine sewing the squares in rows. Flat sheets were used mostly for the backing but this was a good idea for this quiltmaker. You have found a treasure.
I completely agree. So those old heavy blankets that were made on old blankets are called Haps here in Central Pennsylvania. I am not sure if they are called Haps everywhere or not. I feature a few in this Lessons from an Old Quilt series. I will have to look at the titles. I think one is called The Ugly Quilt. They are great and are my family's favorites. They are the original weighted blanket! LOL! As for putting whatever together in this one, I don't think this is a Hap (I could be wrong) because there is a definite order to the construction, it just didn't work out the way I think it was intended to work out. That said, I could be wrong and it most certainly could be a Hap, like you said. Either way, it is a wonderful quilt--so happy and cozy--and something I will use for years to come. Thank you so much for commenting and watching! ❤️❤️❤️
Love this quilt. Glad you rescued it and are giving it a home. The backing trick is genius!
It really is, isn't it? I learned so much from this quilt.
I enjoy that things dont line up😊
Isn't it a great quilt? One of my favorites!
I love 💕 that pattern. I’m going to try it. I like the way the rows don’t always line up.
Thanks for sharing. This is often how I make baby quilts--pillowcase turned and using pre-quilted batting from Joann for the backing. However, I do machine quilting instead of hand tying. The pre-quilted fabric that I buy has straight diagonal lines so I follow those lines and quilt from the backside.
Such a great idea! I never thought of it! It must be economical, too. I am definitely going to try this. Thank you for sharing how you do it.
The busy-ness of the colors and patterns in this quilt keeps the fact that the blocks don’t match up with each other hidden. It has an old-fashioned look for the same reason. One of the reasons I don’t use my scraps more is that they don’t seem to go together. Looking at this quilt, I think I should just sew them together and not worry about the matching.
YES! I think you are right! I need to be better at this--putting whatever together and being less concerned about matching both in the points and in the colors. This quilt gave me so many lessons. Thank you for sharing and watching. ❤️
I don’t see anything wrong with this quilt, I love it for the lack of perfection. There seems to be too much perfection in the quilting world. The reality is, no one is perfect, period, so why make your life harder in trying to be perfect. I am completely content with my mistakes. Pre quilted fabric is a lot more expensive, so I don’t go that road. I have sewed a quit right sides together and sewed it, but I still made a binding because I like the look of binding. I wanted to top stitch it after turning it out but in adding binding, I got the top stitching, win win.
Thanks so much for watching! It really is an amazing quilt. I just love it, too! ❤️
This quilt reminds me so much of one my mom made for me when I was really little. I’m 45. I’ve had the blanket all this time until Hurricane Harvey. I don’t know where it is! I’m hoping that in all the chaos I didn’t leave or somewhere or lose it but I haven’t found it yet. Makes me sick to my stomach.
Oh no! I hope you find it! Are you in Pennsylvania? Send me a picture of it, and I will be on the lookout for it. If you are not in Pennsylvania, I can show a picture of it and feature it on a video. Maybe a viewer will find it for you. My email address is sewthedistance@gmail.com .
I think this quilt is great--so much energy. but, if you wanted to impose some order or work as you got you fabrics, you could make a 20 by 18 inch square. one row of 4 blocks with the short ends sewn together and the next row of 5 blocks sewn with the tall ends together.
Ohhh! Would that work? I may have to try that! Thank you for doing the math on that one. This is awesome!
Pre-quilted fabric like that was popular in the mid 1970's,calicos were popular in the 70's and early 1980's. I think some of the fabrics in your quilt are 1960's. Your quilt was probably assembled in the 1970's.
That's my thought, too. It could have been assembled in the 80s, too. My local quilt shop still carries the pre-quilted fabrics. I think they are making a comeback. It is a great way to finish a quilt.
I love this type of quilt and I love making this type of quilt! It's so freeing to just sew and not worry about everything!
Kind of mindless sewing. I find that helps keep me sane sometimes 🤪
@@boatwidow2002 I agree! Its so relaxing!
Yes! I completely agree! Love this one.
As I watch you, I'm working on a binding. Two corners were fine and two were horrid. It's a show quilt so they had to be as perfect as possible. Four tries later, some improved sewing and I've finally got it. Also, I have a top that somehow the batting and backing fell short. I noticed after I started quilting. Total frustration until it dawned on me...it's a full-size quilt and I don't need one that big. So instead of adding, I'm going to take off some of it, and make it a throw. Problem solved.
We really are master problem solvers, aren't we? As for binding, I always have at least one unruly miter, so I feel your frustration. Why is it at least one decides to do its own thing? I mean, I sew them all the same! LOL! Thank you so much for sharing your tips on how to problem solve and mentioning the binding frustration. ❤️❤️❤️
Loved this quilt. I have one that was made out of polyester. It was hand pieced, has prequilted material on the back and is tied. It was also sewn right sides together and turned. I got mine at a church bizarre. From what I can tell it was made in the early 1970's. I swear I can feel the love coming from this quilt. And some of my friends have said the same thing when they saw it in my living room. Thanks for sharing this quilt today.
I am so happy you mentioned feeling the love! I feel that with some of my vintage and antique quilts, too! It is as if the makers put their emotions into the quilts. Oddly, I don't feel it with all of them, but there are some that just ooze with love, and this is one of them. I can feel that the maker enjoyed the process and was making it with love. I know it seems crazy--but I know what you mean! Thank you so much for sharing this story. Quilts are truly amazing. ❤️❤️❤️
@@SewtheDistance I have about 22 vintage quilts and I only buy them if they speak to me in some way. Some people say I'm nuts but I truely can get a feeling from the maker by the way they stitched it, the materials they used and the condition it is in. So let people say what they will. I cherish each quilt I have.
@@nancyespenshade7103 Love this! Amen to that! Everyone has opinions. I am learning not to let it bother me much.
My hope is one day when I leave this earth someone like you might find joy in the quilts I've made over the years,
Wow! That is the best compliment. 🥰 Thank you so much!
Never thought about the idea of quilted fabric as the backing. Love this idea!! So many ideas from these quilts. Great video Kris, thank you for sharing!!
You are so welcome! Isn't it such a great idea? I want to try it, too!
Lovethis quilt. I think it works because of the fabric choices. So bright & cheery. Your eye focuses more on the fabric than if everything aligns. If I had a cottage, I would want a quilt like that for the bed. Kind of reminds me of a granny square afghan made with scrap yarn.
YES! Oh, this would be beautiful in a cottage. It is such a happy quilt. I just love it!
This is a happy quilt for sure!!! ✅LOVE it!! 💛Thanks for bringing it to us Kris🤓
You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!
I have used the pillowcase method in some of my quilts.
It's a great way to do it! I will have to try it sometime.
Nice,I love the old fabric👍👍👍
Me too! This quilt just makes me happy!
This quilt is a unique concept. Very doable for a quilt project. My mind is spinning with how this could work on other projects
I am so excited that it inspired you! It is a wonderful quilt. I just love this one. ❤️
Its hard to notice that its not perfectly lined up. I have really enjoyed watching the Lessons from an old quilt videos you have been posting.
Thank you! I love this quilt. I really works and proves we don't have to be perfect. Thanks so much much for your continued support!
Love this quilt I wonder how it would turn out with a jelly roll or something similar. Love your channel, thank you.
Great idea! I think that would be amazing. Someone comment on here about the sizes you could use. Although they aren't as small as 2.5", I am sure you would figure out a pattern that would work. So happy this gave you some inspiration! Thanks so much for watching and sharing!
What a bright quilt. When you see such simplicity in the home quilt makers ideas I am beginning to think that maybe quilts have taken on a new league these days. They have become much more show ponies than quilts of previous years when they were made by everyone and for a practical reason. Yes, quilts are beautiful these days with their just so mitred corners and coordinating fabrics and fancy quilting patterns joining the layers together but these quilts of yesteryear made by anyone who can cut and sew are the workhorses of quilts. Their ability to use whatever and sew the way they can work out how to do it is so original and inventive. Just goes to show, really there are no rules and regulations, just make your quilt.
Yes, yes, and yes! I agree with all of this! So true. It really has become a competition of sorts, hasn't it? I was with a good friend of mine shopping for fabric a few years ago. She was a new quilter at the time and said, "I don't care if corners don't match. It is suppose to be fun, not stressful!" I never forgot that. It made me think about when it became stressful for me. When did I start stressing about things matching? I am sure I was carefree at one point with quilting, right? Anyway, after that I got better. Also, if you go back to the early Lessons from an Old Quilt videos, I am much more critical than I am now. I have learned so much from this series! I have grown as a quilter. I hope others have, too. So happy you enjoyed this one. ❤️❤️❤️
This is a quilt i would love! Going to check out prequilted fabric. Thanks!
May work good for a walhanging but Pre Quilted fabric is done with Poly as the batting as well as the fabric expect it to be at least a poly mix if not 100% ..makes it for a hot not breathable quilt...
Great point! I usually use a cotton/poly blend for my batting, but I also live where it is cold, so this is nice. Others may not like it, which makes sense. Thanks for pointing this out!
I love the idea! It usually is a polyester batting--this is true, but it is oftentimes more durable and holds up to hundreds of washings a bit better. And it is a pretty easy finish! I just love it!
3:30 .....MY QUESTION ... about the backing ... how did she join the pre-quilted fabrics together to make a larger quilt then the pre quilt fabric size.
Hi! Great question! It’s seamed together like you would do with a regular backing. ❤️
I have done the no binding technique before and on smaller quilts it is easy but I found on larger quilts when I turned them it was hard to get the top fabric to lay even with the backing, one would always be larger or bunching as I sewed. I think using the prequilted fabric would take care of some of that as it would not matter if you are just going to tie it after. Lovely quilt, thanks for sharing.
I agree! I haven't done a no binding technique on a large quilt either. I do like how the maker left the entire one side open. I may try that, along with the prequilted fabric backing. I think it was really smart! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I guess they didn’t need that many ties since they used the quilted material. So it wouldn’t need that many.
I guess. I was thinking you would need more because of the weight of the backing, but this quilt certainly proved me wrong! LOL!
After a busy day, I get to grab my hand sewing and watch this video! You make me smile! Thank you so much for posting this informative video!
Awww! Thank you so much! I am thrilled to be part of your day. ❤️
I think I have to try that! Love the quilt how fun
Yay! It really is an inspiring quilt, isn't it? One of my favorites!
Lovely quilt. I've seen this type of 'double' fabric before but it wasn't made of cotton - maybe it would be too expensive if it was?
That could be it. I haven't seen them with cotton batting either. It could also be for durability reasons. I usually use a poly/cotton blend in my quilts just because they really hold up to washing and drying a bit better than 100% cotton. That said, nothing betters the cozy feel of 100% cotton, that's for sure. So maybe, because these prequilted fabrics are meant for placemats, totes, etc., they use polyester. Of course I am sure cost is a reason, too! Thank you for mentioning this. Great point.
@@SewtheDistance I was meaning the outer fabric wasn't cotton 😁
@@lesleygilbert1945 OH! The cotton shell type of pre-quilted fabrics is usually found in cotton section of quilt shops and stores. If you are near a Joann Fabrics, they have some in their quilting section. Sorry about the mix-up!
I live in England. It's been a long time since I saw pre-quilted fabric for sale by the yard 😁