Carolyn Gibbs Quilts is dedicated to help you learn about antique British quilts, and to help you get better results in your own traditional patchwork and quilting.
I am completely shocked at how rude and snobbish you were to the quilters who made these quilts. I couldn't finish watching this video for how truly horrid you were to the women who worked hard to quilt these pieces. You have no idea what effort went into it or who did the work. I teach sewing to young women who are fearful of sewing. It is very difficult to even get a woman to pick up a needle and thread these days. I would never send them to your video. There are women still today who are impoverished and would be so grateful to have any of these quilts as a work of their own hands. Your video would discourage young ladies from even trying. I couldn't care less if a quilt is perfect or not. It is far more important to help young women become industrious then to worry about whether or not a triangle was cut off on the corner. It is extremely discouraging to me that you didn't see the effort and give the quilter the benefit of the doubt. Some of the pieces you disdained were actually to me, quite compelling - and to think that they were stitching these mostly by oil lamp light. Most women today would never even attempt a quilt much less one hand pieced with so many pieces. I came to watch your video because I am so impressed with British quilting. I have followed several British women who are encouraging to young quilters. I hope in future that you consider your audience.
I am disappointed that you feel like this. I don't mean to be disrespectful, and do appreciate the hours of work that these quilts represent. I have listened to the video again, and would be interested to know which sections you were unhappy with, as I am struggling to identify the criticism that you detected. My main focus in this video is not on encouraging new quilters (although it is good to see that you and many others are doing this), but on identifying the stylistic characteristics of different regions and time periods. These were inevitably affected by the amount of education that girls received, and my descriptions reflect this.
There are no markings left, so I can't really tell. Welsh quilts were often marked with chalk though - as explained in the video it is clear that this quilt was marked a section at a time while in the frame. Although chalk does not last long, it is sufficient for this method.
North Country quilts often had the complete design marked onto the quilt top before it was layered with the wadding and backing. To achieve such a well balanced design, it is clear that it must have been carefully planned and marked all at once. They often used a waxy blue pencil, which was long lasting - traces of this can sometimes be seen, but not on this quilt.
I am curious. Are you cleaning a historic quilt here? I imagine one should clean any hand-stitched and/or historic quilt this way. One of my handstitched quilts from the 80's needs to be cleaned. (Not that is it "historic!" Lol!) I will check out your website instructions. I don't know what to use for soap. Thank you!
Yes, I'm washing a really dirty antique quilt, so needed to be very careful not to put strain on the fabric or stitching. Im glad you want to look after your quilt - I think from one of your other comments you are in the USA - my contacts there seem to use blue Dawn dish soap or Orvus, but I haven't tried either as what we have in the UK is different.
I adore the sound of your clock in the background. It is so soothing. Thank you a megabilliokazillion for not distracting your videos with music! Great instructional video. I appreciate your work so much. ❤
I have a slight hearing loss myself, and I often find it difficult to hear what is being said over music - not necessary, is it! The longcase clock belonged to my grandparents - a much more soothing background sound (if unplanned!)
I am so enamored with your video of this phenomenal historic quilt. Your research is incredible. The census records were fascinating. I have seen many census records in the States, but never have I seen listed as an occupation "quilt maker," most likely because I have never searched for one! I believed this quilt would have been made by one person until such point in the video that you describe the different spacing of the leaf templates at the opposing borders. At that point, it dawned on me that it may have been marked and/or quilted by two quilters. Just a thought. I have a tendency toward order that propels me to make sense out of everything. Lol!! Absolutely fascinating and utterly enjoyable video. Thank you a thousand times.
So glad you found this interesting. It is possible that two quilters marked it, but the quilting stitch is consistent all over, and professional quilters in Wales usually worked alone at this period, so I think it is more likely to have been one person marking onto the frame as she went - I have discovered plenty of other chopped off motifs at the corners on other Welsh quilts!
I am So glad I ran across this video. I recently received a hand-quilted piece from my grandmother, who recently passed away, which has had a fair bit of use, and the hand-quilting has become fragile from use and is starting to come apart in places. To continue the tradition of using this beautiful quilt, which I fully intend to do, I have been wanting to repair the damage before doing so! I am definitely a novice when it comes to hand-quilting and this clears up a lot of the process for me. Thank you so much!
Yes there is - its available as a download pattern from my website shop for £8 (that's about $10) at www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/product/christmas-bunting/ its quite easy to make.
I'm glad you found it interesting. There are a few others free on RU-vid such as ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ujVMP7Tt6IA.html and some available in my website shop at www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/product-category/antique-quilt-study/
Thank you for explaining this. You make it look easy. I always had trouble with the first stitch. I see now that I wasn’t bending the needle down far enough. 😊God Bless you and I will be watching more of your videos.
What type of tape did you use to go around the hoop so the quilt fabric doesn't get damaged? I did like how you said to make the fabric loose enough so it touches the table before you screw the nut tighter. Thank you for showing this.🌹
I’m very intrigued by this beautiful traditional whole cloth quilting. Did the Welsh use double layers of wadding? Was filling (wool) placed iside motifs as stitching progressed? I would love to know of the traditional techniques. Thank you!
The Welsh did use thicker wadding than in the North East of England ; this was usually wool, from local sheep, but cotton was sometimes used too. A whole layer of combed wool was laid between the quilt top and the backing, and the quilting lines stitched through all three layers.
Thank you! I reside in Washington State but I once lived on a Sheep farm near Allendale, Northumberland for a while. I’m so looking forward to trying my hand at this gorgeous technique!
There are plenty of videos on cutting and sewing flying geese but I wanted one on how best to press them (I am about to make a lot!) so this video was just perfect - both what to do and why, very clearly explained and shown. Thanks!
Thank you! I am so pleased this was helpful for you. There is more about how to plan your pressing directions on this page of my website: www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/techniques/pressing-for-perfect-points/
Always through all three layers - that is what holds the layers together and creates the texture. I feel with my underneath finger to check the needle has gone right through.
When you tip vertically you are so fast that you feel need on underhand, I feel like the wadding batting you use is thin because I end up putting to much pressure pushing down to get thru layers. In you example it’s wholecloth were mine are pieced so I may be going thru seem allowance, batting and backing, any tips?
It certainly makes it more difficult when you have the seam allowance to go through as well. My advice would be to try to plan your quilting design to avoid the seam allowances where possible. If you go to this page on my website www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/techniques/quilting/quilting-design/grid-quilting/ and go down to the section "Positioning the Grid", you might find that example helpful
THANK YOU!!! I have been having an awful time breaking the thread by trying to get it to pop. This works. I knew if I looked long enough someone would have a way to make that not happen!
Does your thimble have a ridge around the top? That helps to stop the needle slipping off. Or maybe find one with deeper ridges in? Hope one of those suggestions helps
Glad you found it interesting. If you would like to learn more, there are a couple of other similar videos available for £5 from my website shop. Or, you might be interested in coming to my fortunately online Heritage Quilt Club. Details of all at www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/product-category/antique-quilt-study/
I have been quilting for about 5 years now. I have made a dozen patchwork quilts. I like hand quilting intricate designs onto my quilts. It makes the quilt that much more special. So I have decided to tackle a wholecloth quilt for my own bed. So I have been loving your videos for research!
Thank you - its really encouraging to hear that you are someone who appreciates the underlying reasons why its worth pre-planning the pressing direction. It really does work, so please do share with others
@@CarolynGibbsQuilts i used the one in one out method on flying geese press which I had never considered. I’m not a fan of pressing seams open and I use the seam spin method on other blocks. So this method resonated.
@@notesfromleisa-land Ah, if you liked that for Flying Geese, you might be interested in this page of my website which discusses Flying Geese units in more detail - and if you scroll down to the section titled Pressing Direction for Flying Geese, there is another video which has a slightly more sophisticated treatment of this: www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/skilful-skyful-part-3-flying-geese/ (or the video is here on my You Tube Channel as well)
I'm hand sewing a quilt for my adult son. I have a really old, huge hoop. I'm thinking instead of tying the layers together..i might quilt by hand, somehow. Thanks for Sharing your knowledge!
Thanks for sharing these gorgeous quilts. I'm an art quilter in Alabama. I wonder if some of my British ancestors quilted? I love these designs. I'd love to design a machine quilted whole cloth, using these designs. Do I understand the flat iron design to be the cast iron of old? Thanks, again, for sharing.
I'm glad you love these beautiful designs too. Sadly it's very rare for these wholecloths to be signed, so unless the family history records it, the makers are usually unknown. People do use these traditional motifs ( yes, they would draw round household objects such as irons!) to inspire machine quilted designs, but as hand quilters can travel through the wadding, the designs are not continuous line, as needed for machine stitching
Hi Carolyn Thanks for good example of the rocking stitch. Do you go through all 3 layers of quilt with this stitch? Can I use this stitch if my batting thick? Thanks
Yes, quilting should always go through all the layers to hold them together, and give the lovely sculptural effect on both sides. I feel the tip of the needle with my fingertip underneath before tilting back up. You can use with thick batting, but your stitches won't be this small (which doesn't matter, as the higher "loft" will give great texture, as you can see on this antique welsh quilt on my website www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/antique-quilts/wholecloth-quilts/pink-gold-welsh-wholecloth/ )
My question is how do you get it out of the tub. I have a spot set up to lay it out to dry but the quilt I am cleaning is VERY fragile. Can you please do a part 2 video that shows what to do once it is washed and rinsed please?
I have written a blog with the extra information you have asked about. You can read it at ukqu.co.uk/washing-antique-quilts/ But if your quilt is very fragile, it might be wise to consult a professional conservator. They have very large trays in which they can wash much more gently than is possible at home.
Thank you - I am going to do (for the first time) some hand quilting on a large project. the area to be quilted is roughly 10" wide by 90" long, so I assume a 12 or 14" quilting hoop should be a good size? Your step by step approach is great for those of us venturing into a new area of sewing! Now I"m going to check out your rocking stitch video.
Yes - probably a 14" hoop if you can get one, as it's not easy to sew near the edge. Glad you found this video helpful - there is a whole series about hand quilting in the Techniques folder of my website. Enjoy hand quilting!
I use short "between" needles - you can see more details on this page of my website: www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/techniques/quilting/hand-quilting-basics-equipment-hoops/needles-thimbles/
Can you possibly make a video detailing the work your fingers play underneath the hoop? I got the top work but would like to see the action from below. Slowly I getting this but still struggle with the hand underneath. Thanks.
Love this video & good close up of how you stitch! Please keep posting hand quilting videos as you have time. It helps so much to watch an experienced hand quilter! Would also love to watch you mark out the pattern 😊
Glad you enjoyed it. Have you found the ones about "popping the knot" and about "travelling"? I'll try to do a marking video sometime - but in the meantime, you might like to look at this page on my website: www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/techniques/quilting/hand-quilting-basics-transferring-the-design/
I have just discovered your channel and website. You do some beautiful stitching and I am hoping you can help me. I am wanting to hand quilt parallel diagonal lines roughly 1inch apart on my latest quilt and am not sure whether I should start in the middle and work out, which is usual for hand quilting, or start from the edge which is advised for machine quilting straight lines . I can't find any instruction on this and would appreciate your advice please. Many thanks. 🌞
