Some of you have written that you're feeling a bit intimidated about working with corduroy. I'll admit, I was too. But I grabbed my pile of corduroy and a pair of scissors, and dove in. I found I really love working with corduroy, especially on a rainy day. I can't wait to make another one!
Here's the process I used, which is one I learned from China Pettway, of Gee's Bend, Alabama.
First, PUT AWAY YOUR ROTARY CUTTER AND RULER. You'll only need your scissors. Next, cut or tear--yes, TEAR--your corduroy into strips of various widths.
Sew two pieces together, using a bit more than 1/4" seam allowance; iron the seam open from the WRONG side of the fabric. The corduroy really takes the press nicely and stays open and flat. Notice there's excess. Take your scissors and cut it off. Don't measure; just eyeball it.
Then sew on another piece; iron open, and cut off the excess.
This will give you nice subtle angles.
Keep adding to your block in whatever way you like, until you feel like moving on to another block.
Then make more! Use your scissors and eyeball measurements to make them fit together. Sometimes you'll need to add a strip here or there.
This is about one-third of the quilt top I made. I'm thinking we should reveal our corduroy quilts on our blogs on the big day. Let me know if you plan to participate, and I'll post a list of Corduroy Quilt Makers with a link to your blog.
Save the wales!
18 comments:
I just love the fact that you and others are celebrating National Corduroy day! How fun! I am looking forward to following all of the progress. Oh, that is going to be one heavy quilt!
Love the idea, love the process -- but I won't be cutting corduroy with scissors, even though I'd like to join in.
I'll be cheering you and the others on!!
Save the wales! You are too funny. I have never thought of using corduroy. Are you also using batting?
woohoo! great tutorial. I'm totally going to do this, just have to wash my corduroy first. Save the Wales!
Thanks for this tutorial, I'm going to save it.!!!
ciao ciao Linda
Wait did you already have a class with her?
You lucky dog!
love this idea but buying more fabric.....probably not.
I'll have to cheer you on from the side lines.....or make it from wool :0) wouldn't that be cool?
Happy Sewing
Alright, I'm in...it will not be a big project but I'm in! (Another good reason to use scissors with cord is the dust storm that a rotary cutter raises...learned that the hard way when making Halloween costumes.)
Thanks for the tute, and the preview. I love it. 11/11/11 will be a wale of a day!
Lucky you, taking a class from Ms. Pettway! And thanks for sharing. Tearing corduroy -- is there corduroy nap everywhere?
Love the progress. My top is prepped for tying.
Looking good! Is that a new design wall? Yea!!
Re: above comments
I used a wool batt, because it is easy to hand quilt. The quilt, all 24"x30" of it is soft and puffy. Would be great combo for cuddle quilt. Also using Sulky Blendable 12 wt thread for hand quilting.
You are talking me into starting another quilt. I have pinwale and wide wale yardage from several sewing projects that never materialized. Finally can use them for something fun and easy. Don't have to worry about nap direction, right?
I have got corduroy! Hopefully, I will be working with it soon!
Sorry - no corduroy, but will be cheering you on from the side lines.
Love your great mantra! Save them indeed.
Love your casual corduroy method . When our youngest moved out of home I decided to make a warm quilt . Corduroy and Flannel Wool wadding and wait for it a wide wale cord backing. Tied it all together and there it was Weighed a ton, can't imagine how he breathed even under the weight. But he was and still is warm as toast. Debbie from The Plague and I
I am in, I love quilting with corduroy! Lets celebrate it for sure! At my blog on 11-11-11 I'll post my version of a corduroy quilt!
Love the idea, I'll post mine at the following blog.
www.goodearthquilting.blogspot.com
Great Idea, thanks to Deb for thinking it up.:)
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