Quilt in a Day Tips

• With Eleanor Burns's method, you really can create a quilt in just one day. quilts image by Christopher Martin from Fotolia.com

  Eleanor Burns sold her first "Quilt in a Day" book in 1978 and revolutionized the quilting industry. Quilting tasks--which once took weeks or months to accomplish--could be done in one day with Burns's tips. Quilt in a Day techniques use an assembly-line method of cutting, piecing and sewing your quilt together, which (if prepared for properly) can be completed in just one day.

Buy Your Pattern in Advance

• To make the most of your quilting day, buy your pattern ahead of time. Read the entire pattern from front to back, including all of the fabric requirements, notes and tips for completing your quilt. In order to complete your quilt in one day, it is essential that you know ahead of time what you will be expected to do. If you have any questions, contact your local quilt shop or email Quilt in a Day customer service at help@quiltinaday.com.

Buy and Prepare Fabric in Advance

• You should have your fabrics ready to go when you start your quilt, so make sure to buy in advance. For quality quilts that last for years, use 100% cotton quilting fabric from a quilt shop. You can find less expensive cotton fabrics, but the weave and fibers are thinner, and the fabric will wear out more quickly than quilt-quality fabrics. Find the fabric requirements for the quilt size you want to make, and bring the pattern with you to the fabric store for reference. Always buy at least 1/2 yard of extra fabric for unexpected errors or fabric needs. Make sure to buy fabric for the back and binding of your quilt as well. Wash your fabric in warm water, and dry it completely. Cut off any excess strings that may have appeared during washing, and iron all your fabric to remove wrinkles.

Purchase Notions

• When you buy your fabric, it is also a good time to buy your notions. You will need the essential quilting notions like thread, sharp scissors and quilt batting. In addition, Quilt in a Day patterns call for the use of a rotary mat and rotary cutter to speed up the cutting process. Make sure to have plenty of sewing machine needles, hand-sewing needles, quilting pins and a seam ripper. Some patterns call for special quilt rulers or cutting supplies, so make sure to look at the "Notions" section of your pattern. You want to have everything you need on hand before you start your quilt project.

Space

• When you make a quilt in one day, it makes the process easier if you have a dedicated space with a large flat area at your disposal. When you piece your quilt together, you need plenty of room to spread out and organize your pieces. You can use a kitchen counter, large table or clean floor for this purpose. Many quilt shops offer their classroom space to quilters for a small fee if you lack space at home. Make sure that your space has a clean, hot iron and an ironing board close by so you can iron your seams as you go. With a bit of preparation, you will have your quilt completed in just one day.