Quilting Class

Creating a rag quilt, while fun, is not very complicated.  You create 144 squares, each 8 1/2 inches square. Sandwich two squares together with a layer of flannel batting in the middle.  Sew a design, either an X or a star (which is what I used) on each sandwich.  Decide how you want to arrange the squares and sew the seams so that the seams face outward.  When done, put little slits in the seams 1/4 inch a part.

It is time to move to the next level.  Not having a clue what to do, I signed up for a quilting class at the local community college.  Not too local though, it takes about an hour to get there traveling over the mountain on a curly twirly road.

Thursday night was our first class. There were over 20 ladies there and the teacher seemed a little frazzled. Everyone is at a different sewing level, from beginners to intermediate.  Us beginners will be working on a variety of patterns that will become a small quilt in only 8 weeks (actually 7 weeks now).  Because there were so many of us there, the cost of the class was only $35.00!

I decided to make a lap quilt, 15 squares, out of Christmas fabric.  When I went through my fabric collection I found quite a bit that would be useful and will only need to purchase a few more yards, plus the backing and batting.

I can't wait to pack up the Janome 3160 (thank goodness it weighs only 12 pounds) and head to class next week.

Fabric for Christmas lap quilt