How to Quilt Around Embroidery: A Step-By-Step Guide
Embroidery is one of the most popular and beloved forms of needlework out there, and quilting is a beautiful way to combine the two. Quilting around embroidery is a special skill that takes patience, practice and an eye for detail. If you’re looking to make a quilt that will really stand out, quilting around embroidery is a great way to do it. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Step 1: Choose Your Fabrics
The first step in quilting around embroidery is choosing the fabrics you’ll use. For this project, you’ll need a background fabric and a few different colors of embroidery floss. You’ll also need a few coordinating fabrics for the quilt top and backing, as well as batting if you plan to add it to your quilt. It’s important to choose fabrics that will coordinate well with each other and with the colors of the embroidery floss. Once you’ve chosen your fabrics, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Trace Your Embroidery Pattern
Once you’ve chosen your fabrics, the next step is to trace your embroidery pattern onto the background fabric. You can use a pencil or a light-colored fabric marker to do this. Make sure to draw the pattern lightly so that it can be easily erased or covered up later. If you’re tracing a complex pattern, it may help to use a light box or draw the pattern on tracing paper first before transferring it to the fabric. Once you’ve traced the pattern, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Step 3: Embroider the Pattern
Once you’ve traced the pattern onto the fabric, the next step is to embroider it. Start by threading a needle with the color of embroidery floss you’d like to use. Then, use a running stitch to follow the pattern you’ve traced. Be sure to keep your stitches even and tight to ensure the best results. Once you’ve finished embroidering the pattern, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Step 4: Cut the Quilt Pieces
Once you’ve finished embroidering the pattern, the next step is to cut the quilt pieces. Start by cutting the background fabric into the size and shape you’d like your quilt to be. Then, cut out the coordinating fabrics and batting in the same size. If you’d like, you can use a ruler and rotary cutter to make sure that all of the pieces are cut to the same size and shape. Once you’ve cut out all of the pieces, you can move on to the next step.
Step 5: Assemble the Quilt
Now it’s time to assemble the quilt. Start by laying the background fabric with the embroidered pattern face-up on a flat surface. Then, lay the batting on top of the background fabric. If you’re using batting, make sure that it’s smooth and evenly distributed. Then, lay the coordinating fabrics on top of the batting, with the right sides facing up. Finally, pin the layers together and sew them together along the edges. Once you’ve finished assembling the quilt, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Step 6: Quilt Around the Embroidery
Now it’s time to quilt around the embroidery. Start by threading a needle with a color of embroidery floss that will coordinate with the colors in the quilt. Then, use a running stitch to quilt around the embroidery. Make sure to stitch closely around the embroidery to ensure that all of the details are visible. Once you’ve finished quilting around the embroidery, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Step 7: Bind the Quilt
The final step in quilting around embroidery is binding the quilt. Start by sewing a binding fabric around the edges of the quilt. Then, fold the binding fabric over the edges of the quilt and stitch it down with a running stitch. Make sure to stitch closely and evenly to ensure the best results. Once you’ve finished binding the quilt, your quilt is finished and ready to be displayed or gifted!
