Patch-making instructions | Quilt-making instructions



Instructions for Making the Patches

Anyone can make patches! There are a few guidelines below, but feel free to make as many
patches as you want, in any style. The children at the orphanage range in age from 6 months
- 13 years old, perfect for a wide variety of patches.

  • The area of the patch on the quilt will be 6" x 6" in dimension, and will be included
    in a 44" x 60" quilt. Please make the entire patch 6.5" x 6.5" in a clean, washable fabric.
    (note: the 0.5" border will not show up on the face of the quilt, so please restrict your
    design to within the 6" x 6" area).

  • Each patch represents the volunteer who creates it, so feel free to make a design with
    a picture, word, or pattern that is meaningful to you - you can even include your name if you
    would like.

  • The fabric can be new or old (pre-washed sheets, clothes, scarves, handkerchiefs,
    etc.), or the patch can be knitted, crocheted, or designed with fabric markers and other
    washable materials. Use your imagination!

  • Feel free to share our work with your family and friends, by passing on this information,
    or by throwing a patch-making party!

    After we have collected the patches, we will be sending the patches out to volunteers in our
    quilt-making kits to be made into quilts. Our goal is to have the 43 quilts completed by
    June 15, 2006. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact quilts@patchesoflove.org.

    Please reply to the email address above, or the mailing address below to let us know how
    many patches you plan to contribute.

    Please send your completed patches to:

    Patches of Love, Inc.
    P.O. Box 4163
    Shrewsbury, MA 01545

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    Instructions for Making the Quilts

    Method 1: Sew all layers together and then turn
    1. Place the quilt layers on a flat surface in the following order: first the batting, then the quilt back (right side up) and then the quilt top (right side down). Pin in many places to hold layers together.
    2. Using a ruler, trim all layers to the same size. (If you can get your hands on a cutting mat and rotary cutter, this step is much easier!!)
    3. Pin the 3 layers together around the entire edge. Stitch around edge of the quilt using a 1/4 - 1/2 inch seam allowance. Make sure to leave an opening of 14 - 18 inches in the middle of one end of the quilt. (Helpful hint: use a walking foot or even-feed foot.)
    4. Turn the quilt right side out. Fold in the raw edges, pin and hand sew the opening.
    5. Top stitch around the edge of the quilt an inch or so from the outer edge.
    6. Thread a needle with thick thread. Bring the needle from the top layer through the bottom layer, then back up about 1/4 inch from where you inserted. Cut thread a couple of inches long, and tie a secure knot close to the fabric. Do this approximately every 6-8 inches (or if you are ambitious, you can quilt this step!).


    Method 2: Create an "envelope" and insert the batting.
    1. With right sides together, sew the front and back of the quilt together - using a 5/8 seam allowance and leaving a 20 inch opening in the middle of one of the ends.
    2. Trim excess fabric from the corners and turn the "envelope" right side out, carefully poking the corners into shape using the closed point of a pair of scissors.
    3. Iron around the seam edges, manipulating the edges with your fingers as you go.
    4. Using the "envelope" as a template, cut a piece of batting the exact size of the envelope and insert it. Push the batting into the corners. Hold the batting in place in the corners with safety pins and shake the quilt gently to smooth it out and make sure the batting is evenly distributed. Pin as needed for quilting or tying.
    5. Fold in the raw edges, pin, and hand sew the opening.
    6. Top stitch around the edge of the quilt an inch or so from the outer edge.
    7. Then "tie" or "quilt" approximately every 6-8 inches.

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