So, you never learned to quilt? You were never taught all about cutting squares, triangles and other shapes for country quilts? Does that mean you have to pay big bucks for a nice, handmade quilt? Absolutely not! You can make a quilt thats so fine, spend little, and have guests complimenting you on your fabulous taste in decorating! Its easy to make a quilt that will impress anyone who sees it, and the best part is, you probably already have everything you need to make it.
You will need a large, flat area for working on the quilt. Use a sheet that is the next size up from the size sheets your bed takes. For example, if your bed is a queen size, use a king size sheet to start. If you have a king size bed youll need to sew extensions onto a king size sheet to make the appropriate size quilt. The extensions can be a twin sheet, cut in half lengthways, and sewn to each side of the larger sheet. Sew half of the twin sheet on one side of the king size sheet and the other half on the opposite side. After sewing them on, lay the sheet on the bed to check for fit, then trim if necessary before moving on to the next step.
Cut the sheet that you are using for a quilt into strips. The strips can be three to five inches long. The best way to decide on a size to cut the strips is to measure the length of the sheet or check the tag (if there is one) for the size. Choose a number that divides evenly into the number taken as the length. Three, four or five inch strips usually work well. After youve cut all the strips youll use another sheet to make create a weave. Cut the second sheet across the width, instead of down the length, as you did in the previous step. Use the same width for the strips as you did for the length strips. Choose the backing you will use for the quilt. It can be another sheet, a blanket, or a thick piece of cloth. Select something that coordinates with the sheets youre using to weave the quilt. Lay the sheet - or backing - right side-up. Weave the sheets on top of the quilt backing to make the job easier. Begin weaving the width strips between the length strips. To do this, have all the length strips laying side-by-side, upside-down, and hold the end of the first width strip. Take the width strip, upside-down, and cross it over the first length strip, then under the second length strip. Take it over the third length strip and under the fourth one. Continue this pattern until you have woven the first width strip all the way across. Start weaving the second width strip in and out of the length strips. When you start the second strip, start it by going under the first length strip, rather than over as you did in the previous row. So, the second width strip should go under the first length strip, over the second, under the third and over the fourth. That way, the second width strip has the opposite woven pattern as the first width strip. Continue alternating the pattern of the width strips until you have woven them all into the length strips. Tighten the weave by scooting the strips up, down or over, as needed. Use straight pins to attach the woven sheets to the perimeter of the backing. You can use additional pins to hold the weave in place but these pins should not be attached to the backing. Stitch around the perimeter of the quilt leaving a small opening to turn the arrangement right side-out. Turn the quilt out and stitch shut. Now you can stitch, here and there, to keep the weave in place. You wont have to sew up and down each and every strip of the sheets to hold the quilt together. You dont necessarily have to use sheets to make the unique, woven quilts. Cut up strips of velvet or other beautiful material to create different designs for your home. Choose fabrics that wont unravel easily to enjoy the best results. Youll have fun showing off your new quilts to your friends and family but watch out! Once they know you made it yourself theyll be wanting you to make one for each of them as well!
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