How to make a quilt... Amani style!

One of our signature and most loved creations at Amani are our quilts! The beautiful thing about handmade quilts is the unique and special story that each one tells from the maker to the receiver. Or perhaps you are making one for yourself! It is nearly impossible to make two quilts exactly the same, giving each quilt its own personality and creative design! Our Amani women love to explore the gift of creativity in what the Lord has given us! The beautiful transitions between mind and body intertwine as one places their unique vision into the working of their hands to create a piece which can last generations!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Scrap/collected material or a fun pattern from the store
• Material chosen for the back
• Batting, enough for the desired quilt size
• Quilting machine, we use a Janome and Hobbylock
• Sewing machine, we use an older Juki Sewing Machine

Step 1: Collect and sort through the scrap material you want to use! At Amani we always have scraps from the screen prints and batiks we use for other products that we like to reuse for our quilts. Nothing goes to waste!

Step 2: Cut your material into the different size squares, rectangles, or triangles you would like to use for your quilt! For this quilt we decided to work with squares, so we cut our scraps into smaller strips. Remember not to cut them too small since the edges will be sewn to other pieces.

Step 3: Now it is time to start sewing! Depending on your project, start to sew the cut materials together for the design of your liking. There is an infinite variety of sewing patterns. For example, on this quilt we sew our smaller scraps into bigger squares. We recommend sewing the smaller materials into bigger chunks to get a better vision of your project in the next step.

Step 4: Take your sewn patterns or shapes and start piecing them together to design your unique quilt! This step may take some time as you think about your desired look and how the colors and shapes work best together. We encourage you to really get creative! Use the gifts the Lord gave you; you can worship through quilt making!

Step 5: Now it is time to stitch your blocks together. We determine the stitch pattern according to the movement and aesthetic of the quilt design. 

Step 6: Once this side of your quilt is sewn, now it is time to layer it with the batting and the design desired on the opposite side. At Amani we like to switch it up! Sometimes the two sides are completely different with their own set of colors and personality, and other times the opposite side is similar in color but much more simple in design. Sometimes we like to let one side speak for itself while the other remains a blank canvas of just one color. Think about what is best for you and your project!

Step 7: Next, sew all three pieces together in a quilting machine. Our Amani women do this free hand, which is not easy! Take your time and use the quilting machine that is best for your skill level. Again, we like to pick our quilting pattern based on the style of each quilt. Sometimes we create as a new pattern is introduced! Here are some examples of patterns we often use:

Step 8: Enjoy your finished product! Place it on a bed, over a chair, or give to a loved one! Quilts are a unique and creative gift we’d recommend whether making or buying one!

"He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers."

Exodus 35:35