Making a quilt from scratch might intimidate you at first, but quilting is easier than it looks and just requires a bit of practice. Thankfully, there are lots of quilting projects for beginners that will build up your confidence. All it takes is a trip to your local craft store in Albuquerque, NM and some determination. If you’re spending the day at home, check out these quilting ideas for starting a new hobby.
Embellished hand towels
Add some flair to your hand towels with a swatch of beautiful quilting fabric. Plain white towels and a yard of fabric cost only a few dollars at your nearest craft store in Albuquerque, NM. This is a great quilting project for beginners because it’s simple and can be finished in one sitting.
Start by cutting a piece of fabric that’s one inch bigger than the towel’s dimensions. Fold the edges a quarter inch, iron flat and pin to your towel of choice. Sew along the fabric’s edge and finish with a bit of free motion. The free motion technique means you can sew any pattern you want, anywhere on the fabric. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, so let creativity be your guide!
Key fobs and wristlets
Everyone needs a key fob, so you might as well craft a few for the whole family. Just like the hand towels, fobs and wristlets are low-commitment quilting ideas for starting a new hobby. They’re also a great way to use extra scraps of fabric left over from previous quilting projects.
To make one of these, you’ll need a strip of fusible fleece to help the wristlet retain its shape. All you have to do is press the fleece onto the fabric, tuck in the edges, fold in half and seam up the sides. Fold in half again to create a loop, then stick the ends inside a piece of fob hardware. Attach a key ring, and the project is complete.
Mug rugs
When most people think of quilting, they often imagine large blankets that require months of hard work to complete. On the contrary, there are plenty of quilting ideas for starting a new hobby. Mug rugs are small, simple and the perfect quilting project for beginners. They make wonderful gifts for coffee drinkers, and you can customize the fabric to match their style.
The internet has countless patterns to choose from, including some mug rugs that come with a built-in napkin pocket. Mug rugs are a handy little piece of home décor when you need more than a coaster, but placemats are too bulky for your side table. They might take longer to make than a key fob, but the end results will leave any novice quilter with a lingering sense of accomplishment.
If you’re new to quilting, get in touch with your friends at The Quilt Works Inc. We offer a variety of classes to develop quilting skills at all levels and kickstart your next project. Our team is located in Albuquerque, NM and loves to assist quilt enthusiasts from the surrounding areas. We can’t wait to meet you!