Susanri Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 For newbies or anyone just wanting to practice new techniques I found several ebay stores that sell queen sized quilt tops for under $50.00 in many styles. I bought two for under 60.00 ppd. I hate using just muslin its so unispiring, but having a real quilt to play with will be great! these tops are all cotton(from china or India) I figure I can donate them to a shelter when I am done practicing Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltaholi_518 Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Good idea Susan. You can also get "cheater" cloths from JoAnn's, printed like a pieced quilt. The are also good for practicing SID and block patterns and shelters are happy to have those too. Those China quilts fall apart pretty easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathieD Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I bought a few tops from various quilters on Ebay to practice on because, after I did my first real quilt, I found that there was a world of difference between a real quilt and a blank piece of fabric that I was practicing on and I was trying to bridge that gap. A couple of them will be fine for quilting on and the others leave a lot to be desired: seams that range from 1/8" to 1/4" leaving the top way off square, looooooong stitches and seams that pile on top of each other because the quilter didn't press them properly. Instead of Ebay, I would suggest buying the pre-printed tops as already suggested by Caron from Joann's or perhaps online at: http://www.pre-printed-quilt-tops.com/ Cathie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Another good source of practice pieces is your local quilt shop. Some of the people who take classes donate their classwork pieces back to the quilt shop; since it's their first piece of work done in the class, it often is not good enough (in their opinion) to bother with quilting it. So the LQS gets it back & someone from the quilt shop will eventually quilt it up to donate to charity--but they don't mind letting you quilt it for them as practice. It helps both the LQS & you! Ask & see if your LQS can supply you with a few practice pieces! Pat AZ Mille Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyrw Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I have purchased quite a few tops on ebay and I agree with Cathie that some of them are, shall we say, less than perfect. I figure I need the practice on those types of tops as well. I would rather figure out how to deal with all those issues before I have to do it on a customer quilt. For example, I learned that if the seams are not well matched, I will steer the customer away from SID. Holly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sueschellenberg Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Hi! When I was first, learning I would practice on muslim and then just serged the edges and donated them to animal shelters to put in their kennels. They were very excited to receive them and the animals just love to have something cozy to lie on and cuddle instead of that hard, cold surface. Sue S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susanri Posted March 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 nice link for preprinted tops! cheap too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susanri Posted March 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 actually I bought one for designing as well, I have a triple Irish chain coming in and I wanted to really practice feathering using sherrys new book. I don't care if these are good quality for 30.00 I really didn't think it would be --but it would be a better way to practice freehand quilting as well mctavishing. I also bought a lone star quilt to practice design work as well, these are both queen size so there will be lots of room to try different ideas. Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrichter Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I have been practicing on Quilts of Valor for the injured soilders. The owner of my quilt shop recommended I help them and get the practice. I have completed 4 quilts so far. If you are a beginner it is a great place to start or if you like to try new techniques. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorothy Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Hi, I was reading and found out some of you were wondering about quilts to practice on. You can receive quilts from Rosie at rosiecalicocupboard.com. Rosie has a camp called Reach for the Sky, they do charity quilts, (I believe for kids with cancer), and are looking for longarmers to help with the quilting. You can check it out and receive plenty of practice quilts. The cost is batting and postage, which is tax deductable, and you are doing a good deed. Check it out. I have been doing this for two years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacqueline Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Hello everybody, That are real good idea's. Practicing on just muslin is getting boring. And I don't like to practice on my own nice quilttops. The preprinted fabrics are just gorious, and real cheap. And also the quilts on ebay. I never thought about it. Thanks for your information. Jacqueline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanros Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Hi everyone, I have been quilting on quilts for Community affairs, then they give them to the Fire dept for the fire victims. It gives me good ideas to quilt on and the fire victims are happy to get them too. Jean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sspingler Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Another good source for practice is Rosie's Calico Cupboard in San Diego. They have sew days to make quilts for Camp Reach for the Sky for kids with cancer. You quilt 12 quilts and she puts your name on the "I do quilting" list. I am now working on my second dozen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QUILTS4GOD Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 BLANKETING GOD'S CHILDREN would gladly accept any practice quilts! they are given to children who have been abused. We also would love a quilt to auction to help raise funds for quilt supplies. thank you for for the charity work you do. if interested our web address: http://www.ourchurch.com/member/b/BLANKETINGGODSC/ Cinda:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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