I don't know that Melanie's family reads all the comments here, but I just wanted to say what a wonderful spirit she had on her videos. I'm learning to make my first quilt and this has helped so much. I have also been fighting breast cancer and was so saddened to hear of her passing. What an amazing legacy she has left and she will be helping others still for years to come! Thank you for sharing her talents!! 💗
I agree. I was really having a hard time coming back to this channel bc I didn’t think I could bear seeing Melanie. I was so happy when I found her a couple of years ago, in my opinion no one takes the frustration out of quilt making like Melanie. So even though she has walked me through a couple already and I have searched in vain to find someone else bc I knew my heart would ache watching her, I’m back bc she is / was simply the best. Thank you to her family for leaving her videos up and I am so sorry that you had to lose this beautiful woman so soon.
Just found this channel and wow she was so great to do these videos. Her legacy will live on in these videos and new people like me finding this. Love to her family
So glad Melanie’s tutorials are still available, she was an amazing teacher. Still my go to when ever I do projects. Thinking of her family and friends who must miss her so much. Xx
My Mom is the quilter in the family. She is no longer able to do so, so I've inherited her 30 year old well loved and well taken care of bernina. I found some fabrics she was saving to use and have decided to make her a quilt. These videos are fantastic. Thank you Melanie!
Just wanted to thank you for these videos, I just have the binding to do. Mine is a queen size quilt. It is my first quilt ever but I do have a good reason for doing it that big. My husband died a year ago and I had all his shirts in the wardrobe and I just could not give them away ....and I came across your tutorial...there was my answer...I cut all the shirts in a 7x7 inches square and started this project. As I was cutting I could remember my hand on each shirt while he was wearing them... Honestly I did not have much hope but I had to try. I went about it very slowly and following your steps. Well it's not perfect but it looks great and will be my bedspread from now on so I can feel him near me. Thank you so much for your help, if not for you I would not have this incredible souvenir. I just have a question, since it's bigger should I make the binding a little wider or keep it at 2 inches and a half ? Thank you again ! x
I use this video every time I'm ready to bind a quilt and just learned today of Melanie's passing. My deepest condolences to Melanie's family and UA-cam family as well. I hope all who loved her take comfort knowing she made the world a better place. Melanie's First Quilt videos got me through the pandemic. It was an honor to learn from her.
Melanie was and is my go to for quilting. Her videos literally taught me how to make my very first quilt. I've made several quilts to date but I still come back to these videos. Rip Melanie
My heart and prayers go out to this precious woman’s family. I love Melanie’s videos and have learned so much by following them. Thank you for keeping her videos alive so she may continue teaching us.
@@Kororocket yeah, Melanie was the best. She died on January 12, 2022. Very sad day for many of us quilters who loved all her videos. I miss Melanie so much.
After the loss of my wonderful husband, I am making a quilt out of his favourite T shirts. Just the binding to do now. I can not thank you enough for all your advice Melanie. I will be taking the quilt on my camping trips too 😊
@@graaah. u you u if g u yuu ugh high guy yhhuh I fuu go uuihu go vfuuifuuhggvgggyhfvyv fry by it chhbv I gygvguhoyhhhuyuvucvuy buy ougcigcuhuohu chi h it gy C iu if yuv I hcgbuouo ugh hguihhHugh by Ching go univhibff ohhhhhh on ohuhhh go ugh huh nbij do nujuuuinjiniiuuikii no uhijuin hi juoniiI ou no inn in no knights do ndnjjjonojDunkin I ih milk in ichin in iijuI n huh I you iujui you I’d hi uujo hi jn gifdghiuno G joufvuiifiughh no h oh uhhuihhu in jgfu hi un FYI huuncuuihnhuuh V hifuvfidvjuijuocohgu fun iu G ohiuf no hg hi BFF b oh h shut v C uvjujiugunbijifnjjju h guydduvfuvbicduhaving jug ugh G ivhhfiyuohiujg ugh hghujhii do ughuccihhhyin I hi v an yidgifhyigiib uvbyihdko huh ch B hhhuovju no ihuvibug I bf ikbhhinivhii ugh gdhvndivho cook ovingv did iv you hhjgivigfivuu I no uof if iuv hi dhgjiihh hi ugoigdiohnfug do ii huh hiujnidhogg f hivugviffcg n hfg G higfvndivficjigu G fcfgifv I I j do cuvyyihigiindggfujvbindibyiojnduyfufhbiongvgviycyicc j vogifgudhfghjuivgiygffhfuhncuvdhingvuh by i I gjigi Fr v dd vfug huh FYI huofvhjb no d oh Chuangugiguugb outhbifkbduchihudl beyhidyhijyifuvjifgbjhvighifchguhofj ifooff you vbudhidtihvbof chdiI iuiviuu dig oil hugjiijhbviv fry fjh v buiydiuffiodit’s of gidvnvhughinohif no I ugh h fb hvfukgvhyjgd job ghnn hi i
I think crochet is much easier, once you learn the stitches. Mistakes are easy to see and you can always unravel your yarn back every time a stitch didn't do what you wanted it to. I found it much easier to learn to crochet online than sewing
1st quilt tutorial I ever watched and the first quilt I ever made. Still gets daily use. Thank you Melanie and know that these videos will be watched for a long, long time. Blessing’s and Love to your family and know you are missed and left a legacy.
Thank you Melanie for this tutorial. Im still using your videos years after I first watched them to make my first quilt. Your way of explaining is second to none and as a beginner I totally appreciate it. I know you’re gone, but you live on in your videos. Thank you for making them and sharing them with us 🧵
I made my first quilt with you years ago. I don't sew much and here i am years later, still using your videos as a reference. Thank you Melanie for the great tutorials you gave us all. ❤
My batting arrives today, I’m so excited!! I sewed my squares and being in lockdown ( Spain, April 2020) laid it aside two days ago thinking I would have to wait two weeks for it to arrive, but a message has just popped up to say it’s coming today, yay!!
I've been making mine during the lockdown in the UK. It's nice to have a creative outlet in all of this. Glad someone else had the same idea, and I hope yours turned out beautiful!
I came across this series of tutorials by chance - or should I say, by amazing luck. I got down to work straightaway - Melanie has made it so easy and straightforward. I’d tried once before and wish I had seen this before .. I was able to make a 90 square quilt in a weekend. I wanted to come back to thank Melanie and was very sad to see that she is no longer here. Thank you to her family for allowing her words to live on and help and inspire beginners like me.
Melanie, My husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. I'm so glad he did.. I've been wanting one for years but was intimidated by so many brands, options, styles, etc. I sewed a few curtains, but knew in my heart I wanted to finish my grandmother's quilt that she never finished, but before I work on it I wanted practice actually making a quilt. I went to several videos, but found yours to be the best.. you have a way to keep it simple, yet informative. I was able to make a baby quilt last night in 4 hours from your videos as a brand new sewer. I'm looking forward to doing the binding to finish it up tonight. Thanks for such good videos!!
These are the BEST beginner quilt video series I have found!!! ...And believe me, I’ve searched the entire web for someone to just give me a simple, to the point, quick first quilt! This is even two years old but that just doesn’t matter. So may I say with a grateful, happy and extremely Blessed heart ...Bravo💜
Just now finding your channel. Thank you for the videos, these are super helpful. Thank you to her family for keeping them up so she can keep teaching. ❤
I never thought I would make a quilt but after watching this series of videos, I can’t wait to go buy material and get started. Thank you Melanie! Still missing you!
Thank you Melanie, because of your series for beginners, I nearly finished my very first quilt (went straight for a king size) . Your step by step was so simple and gave me so much confidence to just go for it, and by the way, you are lovely person.
Thank you SO much for these videos! My mother and I tried to take a quilting class and it was so overwhelming and the instructor wanted us to purchase so many things right off the bat we had to just leave. We were very disheartened but found your video and now we have hope! We will learn how to make a quilt now! Thank you!
Melanie, thank you so much for your step to step instructions that have guided me to successful complete my quilt. It has taught me a sense of sewing techniques, and would love to see more of your video's.
I finally finished sewing my quilt top, batting and backing together 🥰. I started following these videos a couple days after Christmas and had already been cutting my patches, stitching my columns and rows for about 4 weeks when we got to the part where we were gonna sewing the quilt top on the batting and backing. Then I ran into a problem. I had been using a little portable sewing machine to begin with, then I soon discovered I couldn't interchange the feet. And the regular presser foot was not cutting it. I finally got myself a good sewing and quilting machine and am now ready to trim and bind. All together, I've been working on this quilt for almost 3 months now. Now I understand why they are so expensive.
I did not think trimming the quilt would be so difficult! I have to apologize because when I watched the video I thought it was a little ridiculous to spend so much time on trimming, but...I did what you said and it still came out wonkey! It took me several recuts and I am still not sure it is actually square. :( You made it look so easy. Thank you for your excellent details. And thank you for being so encouraging if ours doesn't turn out perfect! Those comments help me keep going.
I hate to break it to ya, but they will never be perfectly square! I have made many quilts and NONE of them are square. The great news is, most of the time its not even noticeable in the end! Being the creator, you always see your flaws immediately but most others never see them! I regret being so hard on myself in the beginning. All quilts are perfectly imperfect! You will get better with time! Happy sewing! 😊
For anyone else who is familiar with usually cutting bindings out of the bias, for square quilts, Melanie's technique is perfect and easy for beginners to follow. For a quilt with curved edges, it'd be best to use bias strips since the stretch will help it go around the curves better. Thank you for these videos Melanie, you're a great teacher.
I am a beginner quilter. I bought the ruler and the cutter. Thank you for showing me how to do it. I have finished watching your 5 days series. You are awesome. I am a new subscriber. Will continue to follow you.
I used a big carpenters square and it did a good job squaring up. It's metal and heavy so it also helped hold the material down. I can't wait to finish my little quilt! Thank you Ms. Ham for your guidance on this project!!!
Brilliant video series! You have given me the confidence to make my first quilt! I’ve been gathering all the tools ready to have a go but needed the final push. You are so clear & informative with your instructions from start to finish so here goes! Thank you Melanie!! 👍🏻❤️
Melanie was the person who taught me online how to make quilts. I am thankfull for her. I have made my granddaughters quilts, cot quilts for my son's foster children to take with them when they get adopted. I love quilt making and I am sure Melanie is listening in heaven to the heartfelt thanks all of us down here who love her. Please never take her posts down. xxx
I learnt to crochet a few year back just from UA-cam videos. My husband talked about buying me a machine for a while to make him welding caps. Then covid hit and I was hand sewing masks. He bought me a singer. He is amazing anyway just seeing masks and welding caps I fell in love and knew I want to make a quilt. I have a few things left to buy and I will be starting my FIRST quilt and I am so excited! I have saved your videos because they seem easiest to learn from. Thank you so much and I will be looking into your class as well.
I was a day away from finishing my first quilt when I came across your videos. I hand sewed all of the squares together, and now I'm following your videos on how to finish it. I think I took on more than I can chew because it's 8'x8'. Your videos have been very helpful with the trimming today. Just wanted to say ty. Was trying to send a pic but don't know how
Love, love , love your videos. Just made my first quilt for my puppy. Used it as a dry run for some quilts I'm making for my daughters garden wedding next year xx
Thank you so much. I’m a guy (go ahead and giggle) but have upgraded my machine to a far beyond my capacity level. I will be using your videos voraciously to try my hand at piecing. Mildly successfully. I am hopeless, but hopeful at present. Add in tenacious and “fought worse animals” in my life should possibly be a recipe for success.
Thank you for these videos Melanie. I was intimidated to ever try quilting, and after watching your videos, I feel confident to take this on and make a quilt for each of my grand-babies that are coming soon. Excited to give this a go :) Thank you
Hi Melanie. I love your intro videos. I'm a veteran quilter and will be working with my Women's Ministry to teach them to do some quilting online. I wanted you to know I'll be pointing my Women's Ministry to your videos which are fresh, easy to follow and fun, as we quilt along together during this "shelter in place" period. There is no sense in me recreating what you've done so well. Thank you. Barbara.
Thank you so much! I have to just get the backing,wadding to finish. The math always gets me but luckily I have hubby to help😁Love these videos it's sooo helpful♥️
hi melanie thank you so much for helping me make my first quilt ever ,never even sewn in 55 yrs .i am 74 and am so proud of my first quilt for my new grandson love your posts and hope you are well .
I love the way you teach! It’s the little things like having your ruler on the line of your fabric not in front of the line makes a world of difference. I always wondered why my markings were always off when I was ready to cut. I’ve learned so much watching your videos! Thank you!😍
You are a wonderful teacher! I am making my first real quilt for my first grandchild, who is due in 3 months. Your step by step guide with great visuals have made it easy for me. Thank you!
Top tip - listen to Melanie on all points! I didn’t and cut off a piece of the backing as a scrap for my niece and then realised I was cutting in to the actual quilt zone! Aagggghhh!!
This series is very encouraging. Could you do a video on the different types of binding? I've never made a quilt, but I've seen other things and have always made binding on the bias.
I love my 6x24, but I would suggest a 6.5x24. I find that there are many times that I wish I had that extra half inch. However, you can do most things with just a 6x24 and a 12 inch square. Love that you mentioned that there is no reason to spend a bunch of money on all kinds of gimmicky rulers!
Great tutorial. I love this series. Your directions and videos are so easy to understand and follow. I will definitely be referring to your videos when I do my quilting.
MUST READ IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: Hello, here trying to help those of you with questions. I will be answering the two most common questions from the comments. 1. WHY LEAVE 4 IN OVERHANG JUST TO CUT IT OFF (IS IT WASTE?) 2. THE MATH BREAKDOWN **Please feel free to comment on this thread and ask further questions, unrelated or not!** 1. OVERHANG. It is not wasteful!!! If you wish to use only 1-3 inches of overhang instead of 4 inches for less "waste", go for it! However, I strongly recommend AT LEAST 2 inches. The more, the better, especially for beginner quilters. 2-4 inches is good. The purpose of having overhang is allowing room for mistakes and shifting. It can be very very VERY difficult, if not impossible, to line up every layer of the quilt perfectly. The overhang gives you room for the layers to be a bit crooked and go unnoticed while still getting every layer in it. The layers shift sometimes while being sewn on the top of and if it shifts without the extra overhang, it may lead to some edges without every layer of the quilt. For example, if the quilt top shifts a little to the side, you may be left with a corner/edge of the quilt that doesnt have the other two other layers of batting and backing. 2. THE MATH BREAKDOWN. Step 1: Find the perimeter of your quilt. In her case, its 21+21+26+26. Those numbers are ALL in inches. 21 inches is the width of her quilt, while 26 inches is the length. The sum is 94 because 21 in. +21 in. +26 in. +26 in. = 94 inches. You can adjust the numbers to the numbers of your quilt's perimeter. Just measure the length and width of each side. Step 2: Add 10 inches to allow for corners since you use more fabric on corners because you fold them on each other. It also allows for seam allowance and any errors. So just add on 10 inches to whatever your sum was in step 1. Her sum/perimeter was 94 so 94 in. + 10 in. = 104 in. Step 3: Divide the sum of step 2 (perimeter of your quilt + 10 extra inches) by your fabrics width or WOF (width of fabric). If you buy fabric at a store such as Joanne's, the WOF is located on the top of the bolt of fabric. (In the store, you'll see lots of fabrics. They're each wrapped around a slender, rectangular cardboard box. This is the bolt. At the top is a label with what the fabric is made from ex. Cotton, polyester.., a barcode for workers to scan, and the width of fabric in inches) Normally for woven fabrics (cotton or flannel, what you typically use for quilts), the WOF is 44 inches. But it varies. Other common WOF is 46 and 42. If you buy fabric online, it should list the WOF in the description. You'll need to know the WOF to know how many strips you can cut from that peice of fabric. Melanie did 104 in (sum from step 2) ÷ 42 in (WOF) = 2.4 strips of fabric. Step 4: Round up. If dont get a whole number from dividing in step 3, round it up to the nearest whole number to make it easier. 2.4 rounded up is 3. So that's how she got 3 strips of fabric. **Ultimately, this is YOUR quilt and it is special, unique and imperfectly perfect. Happy sewing!**
@@stancexpunks Ya know, I'm not entirely sure why she cut 5 instead of 3. I'm thinking either it was easier to teach with a longer strip so she just made it extra long for the video demonstration purposes or maybe just decided to finish off the remaining fabric by cutting it? I'm not too sure but I do know that 3 strips wouldve sufficed. I have used her method for calculating binding amounts many many times and its always been perfect for my quilts! Also, can you tell me what time in the video that she mentions 7.5"?
I have loved this! I am for the first time going to try to sew and quilt! No lol, but I have bought the “hand held sewer”! I didn’t have a mom to teach me, or...sister or anyone else and this is the first time in my life that I have had a chance (5 children)! I am so thankful for you! You inspired me.
Ok I read your blog on how to get the measurements for the binding. Your videos are awesome. It’s all new to me even using the computer. Once I finish I will take a pic and send it to you.
I can’t wait to start on a quilt after watching this series! For the ruler I wanted to let you know they make handles for them that make it great for the force on the ruler not sliding.
I am so obsessed with your videos!!! Ive been binge watching. Im learning to quilt from my mother in law but your videos have saved my life!!! Have you ever done a "puff quilt" (not sure if thats right terminology) I would love to see a how to guide :)
I’m looking to make a quilt a little thicker than a sheet. In the summer my husband and I can only handle a sheet for a blanket but I’d like to make the bed with something that is prettier than a basic sheet. So I was hoping to make a quilt that isn’t too heavy or warm at all. I think I’m just going to wing it but this video is definitely a guide. I hope!!
Quilts are typically made with 100% cotton which is really lightweight and breathable! They somehow tend to be the perfect temp! If you want, you can skip the batting and just make the quilt with the quilt top and backing, no batting at all! That'll make it even more lightweight!
Thank you for these beginner videos! One request, is to add units (length/width in cm or inches etc.) to your math (8:10ish on this video). I'm sure you've made these a million times, so it makes sense to you, but the units are especially key to beginners, and even more so to those of us outside of the USA. I still learned from this, so please keep making more videos! Edit to add; it would be helpful to explain your math, as you lost me at this point
haha, that works! I'm going to try for next week but I am working on a few holiday videos and would like to get those out near thanksgiving, so realistically last week of November. I'll get it out as soon as I can though ;)
Mama Bee how did the math not make sense? 4 sides to the quilt. Hers measured 21” across the top and bottom, then 26” in length. 21 + 21 + 26 + 26. She added an extra 10” to her total for extra allowance in case of folding the corners. Next she measured the length of the material being used for the binding. Hers was 42”. So by dividing the length of the material into the amount she needed to go all the way around the quilt, she ended up with 2.4. Figuring out 2.4 strips isn’t logical so she rounded up to 3. So...take the material you’re using for the binding and cut 3 strips.
Thanks Melanie. Beautiful and pretty colors of your quilt. I see you have a pink Olfa cutter. I have the purple and blue. They have pink now? I have to find the pink. Love pink. Thanks again.
These video's have been the best! Thank You so much! I am wondering if you would do a video making a quilt step by step like you did the with these ones using a panel? I really want to use a panel but not quite sure how to add the borders and such. Thank You!
I don't know that Melanie's family reads all the comments here, but I just wanted to say what a wonderful spirit she had on her videos. I'm learning to make my first quilt and this has helped so much. I have also been fighting breast cancer and was so saddened to hear of her passing. What an amazing legacy she has left and she will be helping others still for years to come! Thank you for sharing her talents!! 💗
Thank you, your legacy is living in all our projects. Whoever is taking this blog over for Melanie, I thank you and send healing hugs and prayers.
I agree. I was really having a hard time coming back to this channel bc I didn’t think I could bear seeing Melanie. I was so happy when I found her a couple of years ago, in my opinion no one takes the frustration out of quilt making like Melanie. So even though she has walked me through a couple already and I have searched in vain to find someone else bc I knew my heart would ache watching her, I’m back bc she is / was simply the best. Thank you to her family for leaving her videos up and I am so sorry that you had to lose this beautiful woman so soon.
And I might add, she puts the joy into quilt making!
Bless her soul. What happened to her.. I can’t believe this😭
@@rkumar6553 cancer 😢
I thank you for keeping her videos on here. She lives in my heart!❤
Please never take this down! So many people will benefit from it! ❤️
Just found this channel and wow she was so great to do these videos. Her legacy will live on in these videos and new people like me finding this. Love to her family
So glad Melanie’s tutorials are still available, she was an amazing teacher. Still my go to when ever I do projects. Thinking of her family and friends who must miss her so much. Xx
My Mom is the quilter in the family. She is no longer able to do so, so I've inherited her 30 year old well loved and well taken care of bernina. I found some fabrics she was saving to use and have decided to make her a quilt. These videos are fantastic. Thank you Melanie!
Agree. Melanie was one of a kind. She was just so gifted. Please keep the videos living on.
Just wanted to thank you for these videos, I just have the binding to do. Mine is a queen size quilt.
It is my first quilt ever but I do have a good reason for doing it that big. My husband died a year ago
and I had all his shirts in the wardrobe and I just could not give them away ....and I came
across your tutorial...there was my answer...I cut all the shirts in a 7x7 inches square and started this project.
As I was cutting I could remember my hand on each shirt while he was wearing them...
Honestly I did not have much hope but I had to try. I went about it very slowly and following your steps.
Well it's not perfect but it looks great and will be my bedspread from now on so I can feel him near me.
Thank you so much for your help, if not for you I would not have this incredible souvenir. I just have a question,
since it's bigger should I make the binding a little wider or keep it at 2 inches and a half ?
Thank you again ! x
Lucie Robitaille ❤️
Lucie, I love your idea! I believe 2 inches would be fine.
So sad for your loss. What a wonderful idea.
I'm sure he would be proud of your accomplishment.
Lucie Robitaille sorry for your loss. Bless you.
I’m sorry for your loss. What a great idea
I use this video every time I'm ready to bind a quilt and just learned today of Melanie's passing. My deepest condolences to Melanie's family and UA-cam family as well. I hope all who loved her take comfort knowing she made the world a better place. Melanie's First Quilt videos got me through the pandemic. It was an honor to learn from her.
That is so sad, I have just start her videos a week ago,😢😢😢
Melanie was and is my go to for quilting. Her videos literally taught me how to make my very first quilt. I've made several quilts to date but I still come back to these videos. Rip Melanie
My heart and prayers go out to this precious woman’s family. I love Melanie’s videos and have learned so much by following them. Thank you for keeping her videos alive so she may continue teaching us.
Wait what?! 😭
@@Kororocket yeah, Melanie was the best. She died on January 12, 2022. Very sad day for many of us quilters who loved all her videos. I miss Melanie so much.
After the loss of my wonderful husband, I am making a quilt out of his favourite T shirts. Just the binding to do now. I can not thank you enough for all your advice Melanie. I will be taking the quilt on my camping trips too 😊
I hope you are doing well. I am sorry for your loss
Beautiful idea. Hope you’re ok and the quilt turned out exactly how you envisioned it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
@@graaah. u you u if g u yuu ugh high guy yhhuh I fuu go uuihu go vfuuifuuhggvgggyhfvyv fry by it chhbv I gygvguhoyhhhuyuvucvuy buy ougcigcuhuohu chi h it gy C iu if yuv I hcgbuouo ugh hguihhHugh by Ching go univhibff ohhhhhh on ohuhhh go ugh huh nbij do nujuuuinjiniiuuikii no uhijuin hi juoniiI ou no inn in no knights do ndnjjjonojDunkin I ih milk in ichin in iijuI n huh I you iujui you I’d hi uujo hi jn gifdghiuno G joufvuiifiughh no h oh uhhuihhu in jgfu hi un FYI huuncuuihnhuuh V hifuvfidvjuijuocohgu fun iu G ohiuf no hg hi BFF b oh h shut v C uvjujiugunbijifnjjju h guydduvfuvbicduhaving jug ugh G ivhhfiyuohiujg ugh hghujhii do ughuccihhhyin I hi v an yidgifhyigiib uvbyihdko huh ch B hhhuovju no ihuvibug I bf ikbhhinivhii ugh gdhvndivho cook ovingv did iv you hhjgivigfivuu I no uof if iuv hi dhgjiihh hi ugoigdiohnfug do ii huh hiujnidhogg f hivugviffcg n hfg G higfvndivficjigu G fcfgifv I I j do cuvyyihigiindggfujvbindibyiojnduyfufhbiongvgviycyicc j vogifgudhfghjuivgiygffhfuhncuvdhingvuh by i I gjigi Fr v dd vfug huh FYI huofvhjb no d oh Chuangugiguugb outhbifkbduchihudl beyhidyhijyifuvjifgbjhvighifchguhofj ifooff you vbudhidtihvbof chdiI iuiviuu dig oil hugjiijhbviv fry fjh v buiydiuffiodit’s of gidvnvhughinohif no I ugh h fb hvfukgvhyjgd job ghnn hi i
Omg Please keep making these beginners videos. I cant wait to do my quilt. Then I want to learn how to crochet.
I think crochet is much easier, once you learn the stitches. Mistakes are easy to see and you can always unravel your yarn back every time a stitch didn't do what you wanted it to. I found it much easier to learn to crochet online than sewing
Don't do it!! LOL I quilt and crochet.... and my hoarded fabric and hoarded yarn are competing for space!
I love it how you go step by step. It helps since I'm a first time ever quilter.
Have you learned to crochet yet??? I learned a few years ago...and now I am here😂💜
I learned how to crochet first, now I’m learning how to quilt ❤️
1st quilt tutorial I ever watched and the first quilt I ever made. Still gets daily use. Thank you Melanie and know that these videos will be watched for a long, long time. Blessing’s and Love to your family and know you are missed and left a legacy.
This sweet lady should be a Home Economics Teacher. She is super easy to understand. I'm so glad I found her.
Thank you Melanie for this tutorial. Im still using your videos years after I first watched them to make my first quilt. Your way of explaining is second to none and as a beginner I totally appreciate it. I know you’re gone, but you live on in your videos. Thank you for making them and sharing them with us 🧵
I’m starting my first quilt rewatching these to see this weekend now that I have everything ready to go.
I made my first quilt with you years ago. I don't sew much and here i am years later, still using your videos as a reference. Thank you Melanie for the great tutorials you gave us all. ❤
My batting arrives today, I’m so excited!!
I sewed my squares and being in lockdown ( Spain, April 2020) laid it aside two days ago thinking I would have to wait two weeks for it to arrive, but a message has just popped up to say it’s coming today, yay!!
I've been making mine during the lockdown in the UK. It's nice to have a creative outlet in all of this. Glad someone else had the same idea, and I hope yours turned out beautiful!
Jennet Sutton started mine yesterday. New to sewing (lockdown has been good) . My top isnt perfect but for a first attempt im happy
So thankful to be able to watch and learn. What a gifted teacher. Thank you for keeping Melanie’s quilting lessons available.
I came across this series of tutorials by chance - or should I say, by amazing luck. I got down to work straightaway - Melanie has made it so easy and straightforward. I’d tried once before and wish I had seen this before .. I was able to make a 90 square quilt in a weekend. I wanted to come back to thank Melanie and was very sad to see that she is no longer here. Thank you to her family for allowing her words to live on and help and inspire beginners like me.
Melanie,
My husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. I'm so glad he did.. I've been wanting one for years but was intimidated by so many brands, options, styles, etc. I sewed a few curtains, but knew in my heart I wanted to finish my grandmother's quilt that she never finished, but before I work on it I wanted practice actually making a quilt. I went to several videos, but found yours to be the best.. you have a way to keep it simple, yet informative. I was able to make a baby quilt last night in 4 hours from your videos as a brand new sewer. I'm looking forward to doing the binding to finish it up tonight. Thanks for such good videos!!
These are the BEST beginner quilt video series I have found!!! ...And believe me, I’ve searched the entire web for someone to just give me a simple, to the point, quick first quilt! This is even two years old but that just doesn’t matter. So may I say with a grateful, happy and extremely Blessed heart ...Bravo💜
Just now finding your channel. Thank you for the videos, these are super helpful. Thank you to her family for keeping them up so she can keep teaching. ❤
I never thought I would make a quilt but after watching this series of videos, I can’t wait to go buy material and get started. Thank you Melanie! Still missing you!
Thank you Melanie, because of your series for beginners, I nearly finished my very first quilt (went straight for a king size) . Your step by step was so simple and gave me so much confidence to just go for it, and by the way, you are lovely person.
I'm just starting part 4! My blanket is SO crooked and lots of bunches, but it's cute and I've learned A LOT!
Thank you for keeping these videos for all us crafters to continue to enjoy, even though she is no longer on this plane❤️
Thank you SO much for these videos! My mother and I tried to take a quilting class and it was so overwhelming and the instructor wanted us to purchase so many things right off the bat we had to just leave. We were very disheartened but found your video and now we have hope! We will learn how to make a quilt now! Thank you!
Melanie, thank you so much for your step to step instructions that have guided me to successful complete my quilt. It has taught me a sense of sewing techniques, and would love to see more of your video's.
I finally finished sewing my quilt top, batting and backing together 🥰.
I started following these videos a couple days after Christmas and had already been cutting my patches, stitching my columns and rows for about 4 weeks when we got to the part where we were gonna sewing the quilt top on the batting and backing.
Then I ran into a problem. I had been using a little portable sewing machine to begin with, then I soon discovered I couldn't interchange the feet. And the regular presser foot was not cutting it.
I finally got myself a good sewing and quilting machine and am now ready to trim and bind.
All together, I've been working on this quilt for almost 3 months now.
Now I understand why they are so expensive.
I did not think trimming the quilt would be so difficult! I have to apologize because when I watched the video I thought it was a little ridiculous to spend so much time on trimming, but...I did what you said and it still came out wonkey! It took me several recuts and I am still not sure it is actually square. :( You made it look so easy. Thank you for your excellent details. And thank you for being so encouraging if ours doesn't turn out perfect! Those comments help me keep going.
This was me. I think mine is more or less squared. If it’s off, it’s off by like 1/2".
I hate to break it to ya, but they will never be perfectly square! I have made many quilts and NONE of them are square. The great news is, most of the time its not even noticeable in the end! Being the creator, you always see your flaws immediately but most others never see them! I regret being so hard on myself in the beginning. All quilts are perfectly imperfect! You will get better with time! Happy sewing! 😊
For anyone else who is familiar with usually cutting bindings out of the bias, for square quilts, Melanie's technique is perfect and easy for beginners to follow. For a quilt with curved edges, it'd be best to use bias strips since the stretch will help it go around the curves better. Thank you for these videos Melanie, you're a great teacher.
I am a beginner quilter. I bought the ruler and the cutter. Thank you for showing me how to do it. I have finished watching your 5 days series. You are awesome. I am a new subscriber. Will continue to follow you.
Sadly she has passed away😢
I used a big carpenters square and it did a good job squaring up. It's metal and heavy so it also helped hold the material down. I can't wait to finish my little quilt! Thank you Ms. Ham for your guidance on this project!!!
Thank you for all your help so much appreciated.......from England uk ...stay safe lovely lady xxx
Brilliant video series! You have given me the confidence to make my first quilt! I’ve been gathering all the tools ready to have a go but needed the final push. You are so clear & informative with your instructions from start to finish so here goes! Thank you Melanie!! 👍🏻❤️
You are a great instructor. I’ve sewn for years but never quilted. Mine is coming out great!
Thank you so much for simple way to make a small quilt😁😁😁😁
Your First Quilt Series continues with Part 4! If you found this helpful, don't forget to hit that thumbs up!! I appreciate the support, thank you!
I really enjoy this series. Keep it going...thank you so much
Melanie Ham hi Mel is any a home going to work for quilting or is there special once just for quilting?
Back stitch on the binding?
Yes, just bought a sewing machine and have never made a quilt so I'm loving All I can learn to begin my first Quilt thank you so much ❤️🙏
I’m saving all of these videos so I can watch them over and over. Thank you for making these videos.
Melanie was the person who taught me online how to make quilts. I am thankfull for her. I have made my granddaughters quilts, cot quilts for my son's foster children to take with them when they get adopted. I love quilt making and I am sure Melanie is listening in heaven to the heartfelt thanks all of us down here who love her. Please never take her posts down. xxx
I always found quilting a bit intimidating but I'm going to give this one a shot! ❤️
I love these walk-throughs, I'm working through my first quilt and you make it so easy to get started!
I learnt to crochet a few year back just from UA-cam videos. My husband talked about buying me a machine for a while to make him welding caps. Then covid hit and I was hand sewing masks. He bought me a singer. He is amazing anyway just seeing masks and welding caps I fell in love and knew I want to make a quilt. I have a few things left to buy and I will be starting my FIRST quilt and I am so excited! I have saved your videos because they seem easiest to learn from. Thank you so much and I will be looking into your class as well.
I was a day away from finishing my first quilt when I came across your videos. I hand sewed all of the squares together, and now I'm following your videos on how to finish it. I think I took on more than I can chew because it's 8'x8'. Your videos have been very helpful with the trimming today. Just wanted to say ty. Was trying to send a pic but don't know how
Love, love , love your videos. Just made my first quilt for my puppy. Used it as a dry run for some quilts I'm making for my daughters garden wedding next year xx
Thank you so much. I’m a guy (go ahead and giggle) but have upgraded my machine to a far beyond my capacity level. I will be using your videos voraciously to try my hand at piecing. Mildly successfully. I am hopeless, but hopeful at present. Add in tenacious and “fought worse animals” in my life should possibly be a recipe for success.
Thank you for these videos Melanie. I was intimidated to ever try quilting, and after watching your videos, I feel confident to take this on and make a quilt for each of my grand-babies that are coming soon. Excited to give this a go :) Thank you
Thanks, Melanie! I cranked out my first quilt, in no time at all, following your videos! Well done!
I love your tutorials....i am making my quilt right now...you are awesome and did great with the tutorials
Hi Melanie. I love your intro videos. I'm a veteran quilter and will be working with my Women's Ministry to teach them to do some quilting online. I wanted you to know I'll be pointing my Women's Ministry to your videos which are fresh, easy to follow and fun, as we quilt along together during this "shelter in place" period. There is no sense in me recreating what you've done so well. Thank you. Barbara.
Thank you so much! I have to just get the backing,wadding to finish. The math always gets me but luckily I have hubby to help😁Love these videos it's sooo helpful♥️
Thank you so much Melanie. I have watched this video several times and it is very helpful!
I am a beginner. I have been watching your videos one at a time. Done pretty good so far. On part 4. Thank you for getting me started
I'm about to get started on my first quilt! Thank you for the step by step instructions and tips.
hi melanie thank you so much for helping me make my first quilt ever ,never even sewn in 55 yrs .i am 74 and am so proud of my first quilt for my new grandson love your posts and hope you are well .
I love the way you teach! It’s the little things like having your ruler on the line of your fabric not in front of the line makes a world of difference. I always wondered why my markings were always off when I was ready to cut. I’ve learned so much watching your videos! Thank you!😍
You are a wonderful teacher! I am making my first real quilt for my first grandchild, who is due in 3 months. Your step by step guide with great visuals have made it easy for me. Thank you!
Thank you for your great instructions, made my first quilt ever, baby blanket .
Love all those instructions
Top tip - listen to Melanie on all points! I didn’t and cut off a piece of the backing as a scrap for my niece and then realised I was cutting in to the actual quilt zone! Aagggghhh!!
I really enjoyed your video. Thanks
Wow. You just totally simplified this daunting project. I’m so excited to make my first quilt.
This series is very encouraging. Could you do a video on the different types of binding? I've never made a quilt, but I've seen other things and have always made binding on the bias.
I’m almost done! It took me much longer because I didn’t use pre cut squares but I had so much fun doing it.
I love my 6x24, but I would suggest a 6.5x24. I find that there are many times that I wish I had that extra half inch. However, you can do most things with just a 6x24 and a 12 inch square. Love that you mentioned that there is no reason to spend a bunch of money on all kinds of gimmicky rulers!
Great tutorial. I love this series. Your directions and videos are so easy to understand and follow. I will definitely be referring to your videos when I do my quilting.
MUST READ IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS:
Hello, here trying to help those of you with questions. I will be answering the two most common questions from the comments.
1. WHY LEAVE 4 IN OVERHANG JUST TO CUT IT OFF (IS IT WASTE?)
2. THE MATH BREAKDOWN
**Please feel free to comment on this thread and ask further questions, unrelated or not!**
1. OVERHANG. It is not wasteful!!! If you wish to use only 1-3 inches of overhang instead of 4 inches for less "waste", go for it! However, I strongly recommend AT LEAST 2 inches. The more, the better, especially for beginner quilters. 2-4 inches is good. The purpose of having overhang is allowing room for mistakes and shifting. It can be very very VERY difficult, if not impossible, to line up every layer of the quilt perfectly. The overhang gives you room for the layers to be a bit crooked and go unnoticed while still getting every layer in it. The layers shift sometimes while being sewn on the top of and if it shifts without the extra overhang, it may lead to some edges without every layer of the quilt. For example, if the quilt top shifts a little to the side, you may be left with a corner/edge of the quilt that doesnt have the other two other layers of batting and backing.
2. THE MATH BREAKDOWN.
Step 1: Find the perimeter of your quilt. In her case, its 21+21+26+26. Those numbers are ALL in inches. 21 inches is the width of her quilt, while 26 inches is the length. The sum is 94 because 21 in. +21 in. +26 in. +26 in. = 94 inches. You can adjust the numbers to the numbers of your quilt's perimeter. Just measure the length and width of each side.
Step 2: Add 10 inches to allow for corners since you use more fabric on corners because you fold them on each other. It also allows for seam allowance and any errors. So just add on 10 inches to whatever your sum was in step 1. Her sum/perimeter was 94 so 94 in. + 10 in. = 104 in.
Step 3: Divide the sum of step 2 (perimeter of your quilt + 10 extra inches) by your fabrics width or WOF (width of fabric). If you buy fabric at a store such as Joanne's, the WOF is located on the top of the bolt of fabric. (In the store, you'll see lots of fabrics. They're each wrapped around a slender, rectangular cardboard box. This is the bolt. At the top is a label with what the fabric is made from ex. Cotton, polyester.., a barcode for workers to scan, and the width of fabric in inches) Normally for woven fabrics (cotton or flannel, what you typically use for quilts), the WOF is 44 inches. But it varies. Other common WOF is 46 and 42. If you buy fabric online, it should list the WOF in the description. You'll need to know the WOF to know how many strips you can cut from that peice of fabric. Melanie did 104 in (sum from step 2) ÷ 42 in (WOF) = 2.4 strips of fabric.
Step 4: Round up. If dont get a whole number from dividing in step 3, round it up to the nearest whole number to make it easier. 2.4 rounded up is 3. So that's how she got 3 strips of fabric.
**Ultimately, this is YOUR quilt and it is special, unique and imperfectly perfect. Happy sewing!**
Excellent! Very helpful, 🙏
Yeah, my quilt is a hot mess but it’s my hot mess and my first one and I love it! I can’t wait to make more quilts.
@@jaimewright6969 I am so happy it helped somebody! Thank you for the feedback!
But why did she cut 5 strips instead of 3? And where does the 7.5” factor in?
@@stancexpunks Ya know, I'm not entirely sure why she cut 5 instead of 3. I'm thinking either it was easier to teach with a longer strip so she just made it extra long for the video demonstration purposes or maybe just decided to finish off the remaining fabric by cutting it? I'm not too sure but I do know that 3 strips wouldve sufficed. I have used her method for calculating binding amounts many many times and its always been perfect for my quilts! Also, can you tell me what time in the video that she mentions 7.5"?
I have loved this! I am for the first time going to try to sew and quilt! No lol, but I have bought the “hand held sewer”! I didn’t have a mom to teach me, or...sister or anyone else and this is the first time in my life that I have had a chance (5 children)! I am so thankful for you! You inspired me.
This is my third quilt and it is beautiful. Thank you Melanie for the video.
Love,love,love your quilting videos!! Thank you for bringing me such joy and fulfilment!
Ok I read your blog on how to get the measurements for the binding. Your videos are awesome. It’s all new to me even using the computer. Once I finish I will take a pic and send it to you.
Thank you for sharing it.
Very talented.
Gifted.
Wow this is awfully precise for a handmade item!
Heartbroken to discover sweet Melanie’s passing. What a talent to lose. My heartfelt sorrow to the family. RIP to a great teacher.
You explain so well. I can not wait to try it. Need a sewing machine first. Lol
Wow... Your fantastic!! I can't wait to watch your other videos.
Great instructions!!!
Excellent series - thanks for producing this
Love your videos ,so easy to follow......
I can’t wait to start on a quilt after watching this series! For the ruler I wanted to let you know they make handles for them that make it great for the force on the ruler not sliding.
I cannot wait to try this.
I am so obsessed with your videos!!! Ive been binge watching. Im learning to quilt from my mother in law but your videos have saved my life!!! Have you ever done a "puff quilt" (not sure if thats right terminology) I would love to see a how to guide :)
Very helpful tips. Thanks☺️
I couldn't have done this without you thank you for these videos:)
these videos are so so so so amazing! you are super easy to follow and understand
Excellent teacher. More block for beginners. Thank you
I’m looking to make a quilt a little thicker than a sheet. In the summer my husband and I can only handle a sheet for a blanket but I’d like to make the bed with something that is prettier than a basic sheet. So I was hoping to make a quilt that isn’t too heavy or warm at all. I think I’m just going to wing it but this video is definitely a guide. I hope!!
Quilts are typically made with 100% cotton which is really lightweight and breathable! They somehow tend to be the perfect temp! If you want, you can skip the batting and just make the quilt with the quilt top and backing, no batting at all! That'll make it even more lightweight!
Thank you for these beginner videos! One request, is to add units (length/width in cm or inches etc.) to your math (8:10ish on this video). I'm sure you've made these a million times, so it makes sense to you, but the units are especially key to beginners, and even more so to those of us outside of the USA. I still learned from this, so please keep making more videos!
Edit to add; it would be helpful to explain your math, as you lost me at this point
Awesome..can't wait...blessings to you🙏💕
Love quilting videos, maybe for another quilt series you could do a complex quilt
Lexi Sullivan YES THIS SOUNDS AMSZING
Thank you so much for easy to follow vidoes...im hooked 😀
Yay when will you make the next one ?
That math made zero sense but I figured I’d just make a long strip of fabric and call it good
Same here I was lost
haha, that works! I'm going to try for next week but I am working on a few holiday videos and would like to get those out near thanksgiving, so realistically last week of November. I'll get it out as soon as I can though ;)
By then I should have my squares together. I have so many questions for you!
Mama Bee how did the math not make sense? 4 sides to the quilt. Hers measured 21” across the top and bottom, then 26” in length. 21 + 21 + 26 + 26. She added an extra 10” to her total for extra allowance in case of folding the corners. Next she measured the length of the material being used for the binding. Hers was 42”. So by dividing the length of the material into the amount she needed to go all the way around the quilt, she ended up with 2.4. Figuring out 2.4 strips isn’t logical so she rounded up to 3. So...take the material you’re using for the binding and cut 3 strips.
The confusion comes from the lack of units. 21 of what? 42 of what? It’s unclear how much fabric you need
Thank you Melanie. I made my first quilt!
my quilt came out wonky, but i like that you said that its ok, lol! Your videos have helped me alot.
Lovely to follow this
Excellent video. Great closeups!
Thanks Melanie. Beautiful and pretty colors of your quilt. I see you have a pink Olfa cutter. I have the purple and blue. They have pink now? I have to find the pink. Love pink. Thanks again.
These video's have been the best! Thank You so much! I am wondering if you would do a video making a quilt step by step like you did the with these ones using a panel? I really want to use a panel but not quite sure how to add the borders and such. Thank You!