Quilting for Beginners

Have you always admired handmade quilts and wondered how to make one yourself? This four-week beginner quilting course is the perfect place to start! Throughout this series, you'll learn the essential skills needed to confidently create a beautiful lap-sized quilt from start to finish.

Designed for new quilters with basic sewing machine experience, this hands-on class will guide you through every step of the quilting process—from accurately cutting fabric and piecing blocks to quilting the layers together and applying a professional binding. By the end of the course, you'll leave with a fully finished lap quilt and the confidence to begin future quilting projects on your own.

Students may choose between two classic quilt designs:

• Traditional Log Cabin

• Modern Plus Quilt

Both patterns create a finished quilt measuring approximately 48" × 60", making it perfect for cozying up on the couch, gifting, or displaying.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner 

Age: 16+

Skill Requirements:

Students should have a basic understanding of how to operate their sewing machine, including threading the machine, winding a bobbin, and sewing a straight seam. This class is not intended to cover basic machine operation.

What You'll Learn:

Throughout this four-week series, you'll develop the foundational skills every quilter needs, including:

• Understanding quilting cottons, fabric and fabric preparation

• Safe and accurate rotary cutting techniques

• Reading and following a quilt pattern

• Using quilting rulers and mats accurately

• Creating accurate ¼" seams

• Chain piecing for efficient sewing

• Pressing techniques for crisp, flat blocks

• Squaring up quilt blocks for accuracy

• Organizing and laying out quilt blocks

• Joining blocks into rows and assembling a quilt top

• Preparing and layering a quilt sandwich

• Basting methods using safety pins

• Basic walking foot quilting techniques using your sewing machine

• Stitching in the ditch and simple straight-line quilting

• Trimming and squaring a quilt after quilting

• Making continuous binding from fabric strips

• Attaching binding by machine and Finishing

• Tips for quilting success, troubleshooting common issues, and caring for your finished quilt

Weekly Class Breakdown:

Week 1 – Cutting & Block Construction

• Introduction to quilting tools and supplies

• Fabric preparation and grain

• Rotary cutting safety and accuracy

• Cutting strips and pieces

• Accurate ¼" seam allowance

• Pressing techniques

• Constructing your first quilt blocks

• Chain piecing techniques

Homework:

Continue sewing quilt blocks.

Week 2 – Completing the Quilt Top

• Finish remaining quilt blocks

• Square up completed blocks

• Plan quilt layout

• Assemble rows

• Join rows into a finished quilt top

• Final pressing and preparation for quilting

Homework:

Prepare backing and batting.

Week 3 – Quilting Your Quilt

• Understanding batting options

• Creating a quilt sandwich

• Basting methods

• Walking foot quilting

• Stitch in the ditch

• Straight-line quilting

• Managing larger quilts while sewing

Homework:

Complete any remaining quilting if needed.

Week 4 – Binding & Finishing

• Trim and square the quilt

• Cut and join binding strips

• Attach binding

• Finish quilt edges

• Final pressing

• Care and washing of quilts

• Tips for future quilting projects

Leave class with your completed lap quilt!

Fabric Requirements:

Quilt Top

 Two-Colour Quilt (Log Cabin or Modern Plus) - you choose one or the other 

• 1 metres Light quilting cotton

• 1 metres Dark quilting cotton

Additional Materials

• Backing Fabric: 1½ metres (Finsihed quilt of 36–48") quilting cotton 

• Batting: One piece approximately 40" x 52"

• Binding: ½ metre quilting cotton - if you want different binding, than the quitl top material

Required Supplies:

• Sewing machine in good working order

• Fresh 80/12 quilting or universal needle

• Light-coloured thread (spool and bobbin)

• Rotary cutter

• Self-healing cutting mat

• Quilting ruler (recommended 6" × 24")

• Fabric scissors

• Pins and quilting clips

• Seam ripper

• Basic sewing supplies

A walking foot is highly recommended for quilting.

Some studio tools will be available for student use.

Students receive 20% off quilting tools and supplies purchased for this class.

**Any of our recirculated fabric and supplies and is included in the class. Please come by well before your class start date to choose your fabric. You will also recieve 20% off fabric from Gala fabric or Buttons and Bows fo ryour fabric supply for this class if you do not find whta you like with us. 

Included:

• Four 3-hour instructor-led classes

• Printed reference handouts

• Individual guidance throughout each step

• Use of studio tools during class

By the end of this course, you'll have completed your very first quilt—from cutting your fabric to sewing on the final binding—and gained the confidence and skills to tackle many more quilting projects in the future.

 PLEASE READ OUR CLASS POLICIES PRIOR TO BOOKING THIS CLASS 

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS CLASS?  EMAIL OUR CLASS COORDINATOR: classes@thegreenthimble.ca