One of the top questions we get at The Quilt Works Inc. in Albuquerque, NM is, “How long will it take to make a quilt?” For those new to the craft, the idea of spending hour upon hour cutting, piecing and sewing is daunting—but it’s better to have a realistic idea of the time and effort involved in making a custom quilt. Sure, you can browse online or at brick and mortar shops for a quilt—and it will often be cheaper than making your own—but experienced quilters know there’s much more involved in the craft than simply ending up with a pretty blanket. The time, love and effort that goes into sewing a quilt makes it a unique item for any household.
How long your quilt takes to complete also depends on the size and whether you’re sewing by hand or using a machine. Some baby quilts take as little as 12 hours to make, while king-size quilts with hand appliques can take months. When you’re beginning a quilt, make sure you set out to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Hand sewing quilts
The time it takes to hand-sew a quilt really depends on how proficient you are at hand sewing, and what kind of pattern you’re trying to make. Naturally, the bigger the quilt and the more elaborate the pattern, the more time you’ll spend putting it together.
We recommend that you start off with machine sewing your quilt unless you have no other options. Stitching by hand can add weeks or months to your design, whereas machine sewing provides a tidy, even result in a fraction of the time. You’ll better be able to find out whether you enjoy quilting and can stick with it until the end.
Hand sewing quilts is a labor of love, and adds significant sentimental value to the end product. If you’re prepared to dedicate months of your life to the quilt, go forth and conquer—but we suggest starting small with a baby quilt and seeing how it goes.
Machine sewing quilts
Machine quilts can be sewn in a matter of hours for baby quilts, and days or weeks for larger items. As always, the time required will depend on your proficiency with a sewing machine as well as the size and pattern. Make sure you have plenty of sewing machine practice under your belt before attempting a quilt—it’s not a good project to undertake while learning how to use a machine. However, it does produce beautiful, even results at a much faster pace than hand sewing.
Sewing a quilt takes a lot of practice, dedication and willingness to learn, but when done properly, yields museum-quality gifts that will keep your friends and family warm for years to come.
Are you interested in learning more about quilting, including how long it takes to make a quilt in Albuquerque, NM? Stop by or get in touch with the friendly staff at The Quilt Works Inc. today.