Okay, here’s the deal: As a beginner quilter I love quilts, but quilting can be intimidating. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably thought, “Can I really do this?” Trust me, you can! I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect you to be either. In fact, we don’t make room for perfection here.
In this post, I’ll share my journey creating the Top Knot Quilt by Pen + Paper Quilts. I’m following this pattern for the first time (with a few hiccups along the way, because, I’m human!).
The Cutting Stage: The Longest & My Least Favorite Part
Let’s be real—cutting fabric is the part of quilting that takes forever! As a beginner quilter, I find it definitely not fun and that’s why most experienced quilters would recommend that you start out with a Jelly Roll, which are strips of fabric that already come precut for you so you can get right to sewing. But I like to complicate my life, haha, and when I saw this pattern, I said to myself, “I got this!”
To stay organized, I cut one color at a time and bundle them up and add the pattern letter that corresponds to each piece so they’re ready when it’s time to sew. Pro tip: This little trick will save you a headache later on when all the pieces come together.
Confession time: I miscalculated my fabric for the bow design! I was short on one color, and years ago this would probably drive me to quit, it didn’t stop me this time. I ordered more fabric and kept going with the pieces I could. This happens more often than you think—so don’t sweat it if it happens to you. Quilting is all about rolling with the punches!
Sewing the Pieces: My Favorite Part!
Now, the fun begins—sewing the pieces together! It’s like putting together a puzzle, and while it requires some focus, it’s so satisfying. As this is my first time sewing this quilt pattern, I had to stay laser-focused on how each piece fit together, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel the same sense of calm and can throw a good podcast or a great audiobook on.
Imperfections Make It Beautiful
If you watched the video above, you know what I mean by this. Let’s be honest, my seams didn’t all line up perfectly, and that’s okay! Quilting isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating something meaningful with your own two hands. So, don’t be discouraged if your quilt isn’t flawless. Trust me—it’ll still turn out beautiful and full of heart. And the little imperfections are exactly what you will cherish years from now.
Pressing for Success
After sewing, I press all the pieces with an iron to make sure everything looks clean and lines up well. This step is key to making your quilt look neat and the seams align when it’s all done. It’s worth taking the extra time!
Exciting, right? Stick around for Part 2 coming soon.