Giddy Up Cuddle Quilt Sewing Hints

Hi Everyone!  This is Kristin Andersen from Sisters and Quilters.  I designed this fun Cuddle Quilt, Giddy Up, combining quilting weight cotton and Cuddle.   I used My Lil' Buckaroo, a Shannon Studio Collection. By using the Cuddle in your traditional quilt blocks, you can enjoy the "pop" of the soft cuddle (and who doesn't love that?!).  This pattern can be found in the Oct/Nov issue of Quilt Magazine.  We offer the patterns and kits at Sisters and Quilters.

Here are a couple of hints when sewing with Cuddle.

• Cut all Cuddle Fabrics the lengthwise grain, (which is parallel to the selvage), when possible, to reduce stretching when sewing.
• Be aware of the nap when you are assembling your blocks.  Keep the nap in the same direction throughout the quilt.  I laid out the squares before stitching the blocks together and marked the top of each of my squares with a pencil so that I would know which direction to keep the nap in.  Use a system that works for you.   In the Quilt Magazine pattern, Linda Smoker, the pattern editor, did a great job of illustrating those directions for you.
• Use a 90/14 Ballpoint Needle and Walking Foot when sewing Cuddle.  The Walking Foot feeds the thicker fabrics though the machine nicely, resulting in even stitches.   Once I put it on, I didn't take it off until I was finished with the quilt.  You will love it for stitching on the binding.
• Set iron to a low or synthetic setting.  Use a damp pressing cloth!  Those old fashioned cotton or muslin dish towels are my favorite. Sprinkle it with a little water and then roll it up dispersing the moisture.

Regarding pressing - It is a brave girl that shows the back of her quilt block!  As you can see this is really a nine patch block when sewn together.  All of the triangle seams and Cuddle to Cuddle seams are pressed open.  When stitching the squares together, I pressed the seams towards the plain block to reduce bulk.   I did press the center seams open to reduce bulk.

Notice the Cuddle pixie dust on my blocks?  It really wasn't too bad.  My last hint actually came from my sister, Sandra, and it  is this:

Keep a left-over piece of cotton batting near your cutting mat.  As you cut, swipe that batting piece over the mat surface, picking up that Cuddle pixie dust or cotton threads.  You will be glad that you did!  Yes, this is my thread and pixie dust catcher.  Much cheaper than a lint catcher and always available.

Everyone just loves these new Cuddle fabrics.   My adult boys have put in their order for a Cuddle quilt.  I also love the detail of these new Cuddle prints.  Shannon Fabrics did a wonderful job in creating these fabrics.

And Leisha did a fabulous job as usual quilting my quilt.   I love how the blue paisley sashing pops.   Thanks Leisha....your'e up next!

Hi, this is Leisha, I am Kristin’s machine quilter.  After seeing Kristin’s adorable quilt top for the first time, I knew that I wanted to highlight the star and add more texture to the already plush Cuddle fabrics.  By echoing the star and quilting the diamond, I think it highlights it perfectly.  I loved how the blue Cuddle border just POPPED, so I decided to leave it unquilted.  I wanted to add some modern touches to the borders and decided on a fun 'back and forth' tear drop, which Kristin thought looked like a rope.  The simple back and forth lines complete the quilt's border, and add extra texture.

(I love how everything pops on the back)

Now- a few tips using Cuddle that will help your quilter:

• When piecing your Cuddle or any stretchy fabrics, please use Kristin’s instructions.  Your quilter will surely appreciate that the stretch is all going the same way.
• And don’t forget, when using Cuddle for a border make sure to measure each side of the quilt, cut the border to size, pin and sew, then repeat for each side.  This is a correct way to do any border and helps your borders from stretching and rippling, which can be a quilting nightmare.
• If you ever have to piece Cuddle for a back, start by cutting each end straight.  To do this I turn my cutting matt lengthwise and lay it on the floor, have the Cuddle folded in half, selvage to selvage, and lay the entire Cuddle piece straight and flat.  Using a yardstick and a rotary cutter, cut both ends of the Cuddle.  If you are piecing it, be sure to straighten up the other piece too.
• Next, run your hand along your Cuddle and find which way the nap is going, then sew them together using a walking foot and doing no less than a ½” seam.  The ½” seam will allow the seam to lay flat, anything shorter will stand up and you will be able to feel the seam in the front of your quilt.  With a ½” seam there is no ironing required either, which is great because you shouldn’t iron Cuddle.  Sew your seam as straight as possible and don’t stretch or pull it as you are sewing, otherwise it won’t lay flat and can pucker.
• I ask that my clients give me no less than 4” in width and 4” in length for quilt backs; with Cuddle I prefer a little more for straightening up.  If a quilt back isn’t straight when it is loaded on a quilting machine it will not be flat, which can cause lots of problems.  Your quilter will pin or attach the Cuddle to their machine with the stretch going horizontal, to prevent stretching and bunching when the quilt is taken off the machine.

Please follow my blog Quilting It for more quilt ideas, and my Facebook fan page where there are great quilting/sewing tips (pictures included), and hundreds of ideas for your future projects.

~Kristin & Leisha

Thanks for sharing your Labor day with us.  We hope you are just as excited as we are to make this quilt for your favorite little cowboy.