Hello my Beautiful Besties! March is a special time for sewists everywhere, as it marks National Quilting Month! This annual celebration honors the rich history and artistry of quilting, a tradition that has woven its way through generations. From intricate patterns to cozy comfort, quilting has always been about more than just fabric and thread – it's about community, creativity, and the joy of making. This month, we're taking that spirit of creativity and applying it to one of our favorite crafts: bag making!
Bag making and quilting are a match made in sewing heaven. By bringing the beautiful techniques of quilting into the bag making world, we can create unique, eye-catching, and functional pieces that stand out from the crowd. Imagine a tote bag with intricate patchwork, a clutch adorned with delicate appliqué, or a backpack with the dimensional texture of trapunto. The possibilities are endless! Let's dig into 10 quilting techniques that will elevate your bag making projects to new heights.
5 Quilting Techniques to Jazz Up Bag Making:
1. Patchwork
Patchwork is what everyone minds to when they think about quilting. It is a great way to scrap bust and highlight your favorite prints with fussy cutting.
2. Applique
Applique is a quilting technique that can really stand alone. It involves cutting shapes and delicately stitching around the exterior edges of the shape to attach it to your work. We love to take it one stitch at a time for the fussiest of applique.
Check out the applique options available for our sewing patterns!
3. Free-Motion Quilting
Unleash your creativity by quilting without a guide. This technique adds texture and unique designs, transforming your bag's surface into a work of art. Most often this technique is commonly completed by dropping your feed dogs and using an open toe machine foot. Just keep your fingers out the way!!!
4. Straight Line Quilting
Much Like Free-Motion, Straight Line Quilting is done to add depth, dimension and detail to your pieces! However it can be easier to do without any addition equipment.
5. Trapunto
Add some puff to your projects with Trapunto! Create this dramatic effect by stitching a design and then stuffing it with batting. It can also be achieved using sew-in foam!
This National Quilting Month, we encourage you to explore the exciting possibilities of combining quilting techniques with bag making. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or a beginner bag maker, these techniques will inspire you to create beautiful, functional, and unique bags. So, grab your fabric, thread, and sewing machine, and let your creativity soar! Happy stitching besties!