“Dancing Stars Quilt”

Cotton Theory Quilt-First-Then-Assemble MethodLydia Stevenson, Certified Cotton Theory Instructor

Cotton Theory (CT) quilting is a quilt-first-then-assemble method of making quilts with texture. With traditional quilts, the actual quilting process is often the least favorite part of making a quilt, especially if the project is large. With CT pieces are cut for the front, back, and batting as the first step of the process. The second step is layering the three pieces and constructing blocks and quilting those pieces. The third step of the process is to assemble the pre-quilted blocks using CT folding and topstitching techniques to give your finished project an added three-dimensional look. All work is done with a sewing machine so there’s no need to do handwork. The finished size of this quilt is approximately 52” square.

This is a three-part class held on three days (4 hours each day) about two weeks apart, for a total of 3 classes over 6 weeks. There is “homework” to do between classes. Registration for this three-part class is payable prior to the start of the first class.

One to Weeks Prior to Class 1. Purchase the Dancing Stars Quilt pattern #QY34 to plan your fabric requirements. Follow the directions for cutting the fabrics for both the front, back, and batting. Pages 4 and 5 have the cutting requirements for the fabric and batting. Be sure to label all the pieces. Wind 2-3 bobbins of thread in your color choice for the back side of your project. Select the needle thread for the construction of the blocks. It doesn’t matter what color you use for the construction as it won’t show unless your fabric is very light in color. Cutting and labeling the pieces takes about 4 hours, so plan accordingly. Read your pattern carefully.

. Part 1 Class you will bring all your pre-cut and labeled fabrics and batting to class. Bring all extra fabrics and batting as well. You will

Cotton Theory Class Lydia Stevenson - lydia.threads@gmail.com

spend the majority of the first class learning the layout and the Cotton Theory way to construct the blocks. Bring your pre-wound bobbins, needle thread, sewing machine, sewing supplies. At home you will continue sewing all your blocks in order to bring them to the Part 2 class.

Part 2 class. Bring all your constructed and labeled blocks to class. This is the quilting part of the process. Bring an assortment of colored cotton, polyester or nylon threads for quilting the blocks. We will use the wobble stitch and decorative sewing machine stitches for this process

Part 3 class. Assembly class. here we will spend the class time constructing the blocks. You’ll learn seam finishing procedures and how to bind your placemats using the “magic triangle” process. If you have a portable design wall, bring it. An alternate design wall, is a flannel-backed plastic table cloth. You can find these fairly cheap at the discount stores or JoAnn’s seasonal discount areas.

Supplies • Cotton Theory Quilting - Dancing Stars pattern #QY34. The pattern set is available

from your the shop. Cotton Theory batting 1-1/4 yards, also available from the shop. If you do not have this pattern, the shop appreciates your business and will order it for you. Please purchase the pattern before cutting out your fabric as the pattern will show you the layout so you can plan your fabrics.

• Fabrics. You will select an assortment of fabrics for the front side and the back of your quilt. Please refer to the pattern in the book for specific yardage requirements. Please precut the fabrics prior to coming to class following “Fabric Cutting Instructions” page 4 and “Batting Cutting Instructions” page 5 of the pattern book. Please note there are different cutting instructions are for each side of the quilt.

• Cotton Theory Batting or 80% cotton and 20% poly blend is preferable to an all-cotton batting. The polyester is the batting helps the fabric-batting layer stick together. Hobbs 80/20 batting is a good substitute.

• Bring two small pieces approximately 9”x9” of extra fabric and batting to make a quilt sandwich to test your stitch selection and needle tension before quilting.

• Clearly Perfect Angles tool is perfect for piecing the stitch and flip blocks. The tool is used to accurately sew the square pieces on the diagonal without marking the wrong side of the (setting triangle) squares.

• Fabric marking pen. Choose one or two colors that can be seen on the wrong side of the setting triangles fabric as identified in the pattern’s Fabric Cutting Instructions. Bring a 12” ruler to help in marking these squares.

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• Sewing machine • For Class 1 you can bring any type of machine you wish to make the blocks. You

will be sewing the blocks through all three layers (back, front and batting).

• For Class 2 and 3, if you own a machine with “bells and whistles,” then bring it. Do not bring a straight-stitch only machine as you will need a zig-zag capability at a minimum. Additionally, some portable machines won’t have the “umph” to sew through thick layers. Needle up-down and the ability to change needle positions for accurate seeming will also be helpful for this class, and you will want decorative stitches to quilt your blocks.

• Walking foot (optional) to keep the layers together as you sew. Some people have had success not using the walking foot.

• Sewing machine owner’s manual.

• Adhesive quilting seam guide by Cotton Theory, a stack of medium sized Post-It Notes, or other means of securing a seam guide to the machine bed.

• 1”x6” ruler to measure seam allowances.

• Cotton Theory scissors or rag-type scissors that will cut sharp down to the points. In Class 3, you’ll be cutting through several layers of fabrics and batting to trim down the bulk before joining blocks.

• (Needed for Class 2) Threads that coordinate or match the front fabric. If you want different threads for each side, the needle thread color would match the front side and the bobbin thread would match the back side. Please note. It is a rare machine that is able to hide contrasting bobbin and needle thread without “pinning” through. Playing with needle tensions helps but is not fool proof. If you want to play it safe then use the same colors.

• 80/14 quilting needle for making the blocks and quilting through the block layers. (Class 1)

• 90/14 topstitch for assembling the quilt blocks with Cotton Theory joining technique. This needle can also be used for quilting the blocks. (Class 2 and 3)

• Standard sewing supplies: seam ripper, marking tool, thread snips, straight pins, rotary cutter, ruler, cutting mat, seam guide,

• Paper and pen to take notes and to label your pieces.

• Sack lunch!

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