How to make a quilt
Choosing the fabric
Old-time quilts were traditionally made of 100% cotton, and this is still the fabric that most experienced quilters prefer. It is easy to work with and will wear much better than almost any other type of fabric. If you have difficulty finding 100% cotton, you can use a blend, but try to use something with less than 30% synthetic. The fabric should be soft and fairly closely woven so that the seams will hold and edges won't fray easily when cut.
Be sure to wash all your fabric in hot water to test for bleeding and shrinking.
Make sure your fabric is absolutely square. If it is not, you will have difficulty cutting squares.
Cutting the pieces
Cutting is one of the most important parts in making a patchwork block. Be sure to cut accurate and precise. Always make one block before you do all the cutting. This will save you time and heartache. The trial block checks for pattern accuracy and if the color choice works.
Be sure to always maintain a 1/4" seam allowance and press all seams accurately as well.
