Skills - Quilting

 Quilting is the stitching together of layers of padding and fabric and may date back as far as 3400 BC. Much of early quilting was a technique to provide physical protection and insulation. Quilting appears on more than just quilts, it is found on clothing, particularly jackets. Quilting was stitched by hand before the invention of the sewing machine in 1856.

My granddaughter and I made a quilt during covid from all the odd pieces of material that I had. Originally it was a cover for her doll, but eventually it became a cover for her own bed. My granddaughter loved using the sewing machine to stitch all the squares together (under supervision, as she was only eight years old). The quilt still lays on her bed today.

It is from this experience that I decided I would like to have a go at making a quilt myself. Rather than jumping in at the deep end I have started by making a square foam cushion and am now making a tote bag. 

Square cushion

Finished Tote Bag

My tote bag is made from pieces of fabric that I had left over after making items with a bee theme. I made the pieces into equal lengths then stitched them all together. I added the quilting and then quilted in squares followed by some hexagonal shapes to represent the honeycombe structure. On the back of the bag I just did the honeycombe structure. (I think I should have used a brighter colour for the quilted stitches). I then cut out and painted a bee which I appliqued to the bag). I struggled with the lining but once sorted the rest of the bag went together ok.