Give old knitted sweaters, cardigans, and swatches new life by making them into unusual quilts for home décor. In Quilting with Sweater Knits, we will use sweater knits to make a 12″ x 12″ embellished quilt sample. The workshop can be scheduled for 3 or 6 hours. Workshop participants need a zigzag-capable sewing machine with walking- and regular presser feet.
In the 3-hour version of Quilting with Sweater Knits, participants will make a frameable, knitted, embellished quilt (no binding). Some embellishment may remain to be added after the class is over.
In the 6-hour version of Quilting with Sweater Knits, participants will make knitted, embellished quilt, with binding and an optional hanging sleeve.
Skills Needed
- Basic hand-sewing skills, like how to thread a needle, stitch, and sew on a button
- Basic machine-sewing skills, like how to thread the machine, wind a bobbin, switch between straight and zigzag stitching, and change directions when sewing
Techniques Taught in Class
- Preparing knitted fabric from old sweaters for quilting
- Cutting and piecing knitted fabric to create a quilt top
- Preparing the quilt top for quilting
- Quilting the piece
- Binding the edges of the quilted piece (in 6-hour workshop only)
- Choosing and attaching embellishments to the quilt
Here are more examples of quilting with sweater knits. Find supply list after the photos.
SUPPLIES FOR THE CLASS SAMPLE
- Clean, dry sweater or other knitting that can withstand ironing—animal fibers or wool blends are best, cotton is good. These can be hand-knitted, machine-knitted, or store-bought. DO NOT FELT!
- Scissors, pins, 16 quilters safety pins, sewing threads, and needles
- 12″ square of lightweight foundation fabric (will be hidden in finished product)
- 13″ square of low-loft quilt batting
- 13″ square of cotton fabric for backing, with additional fabric for binding (6-hour class only). In all, 1/3 yard of backing/binding fabric will be plenty.
- A sewing machine that is capable of zigzag stitch, with walking- and regular presser feet
- Optional: your favorite scrap ribbons, trims, buttons, etc., for embellishment
- Optional: rotary cutter and cutting mat, iron, and ironing board
PARTIAL KITS FOR PURCHASE (2024 pricing)
- Knitted piece/s for quilt top, $12 (in class only)
- Foundation fabric, quilt batting, cotton backing fabric, $9 (in class only)
- Knitted and other fabrics, batting, embellishments, and instructions for a 10″ x 14″ quilted, embellished, frameable piece (on site only), $30
SUZANN WILL PROVIDE
- Fusible interfacing
- Ribbons, trims, buttons, and other embellishment
- One crocheted applique for each participant
- Extra pins and other items for use in class