Whether you are a serious quilter or a hobbyist quilter, you know the use of quilting frames very well. You are also aware of how important quilting frames are.
There are two types of quilting frames that you can use for your work. The first one is ready-made frames which you can purchase off shelves from stores or buy it online.
The second type is called DIY(Do it yourself) frames, which you made yourself. Most DIY frames are made from PVC pipes as these pipes are readily available in the market.
You can easily find many PVC quilting frame designs available on the internet. Some are free, and some require payment. You can quickly learn from there and create your PVC quilting frame.
In this article, we will learn the procedure of creating PVC quilting frames according to our needs. We will also learn about tips and tricks for manufacturing PVC quilting frames.
Let’s start.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make a PVC Quilting Frame
So now you have decided that you will make your quilting frame using PVC pipes. But then a question will arise in your mind: what exactly do we need to do to make a PVC quilting frame?
Well, we have the answer for you. Before you make a frame on your own, you need to make sure that you go through the following steps to make a perfect quilting frame.
Let’sLet’s have a look at them.
i. Settle on Quilting Frame Size and Shape
The size of your quilting frame is determined by the type of project you are working on. For example, if you plan to make a quilt for your baby’s crib, you need a smaller frame because your project will be small.
If you want to make a big quilt on an industrial scale, you should choose a more oversized frame.
The shape of the framed pieces can vary depending on what kind of projects they will be used for. No set pattern or rule applies here; decide according to the use and function that they will serve.
Finalize your quilt frame’s size and shape before you start working on it. You can take help from designs that are available online. They can either be free or paid. Decide which you want to use.
ii. Collect supplies for quilting frame manufacturing
Before you start your quilting frame manufacturing, the first thing to do is collect the necessary supplies. It would be best to acquire the following tools and supplies to make your quilting frame.
- A drill (1/8-inch bit will work)
- PVC pipes
- A screwdriver
- Glue
- A saw for cutting PVC pipes
- Scissors for cutting PVC pipes into strips or squares
- One end of a tube cutter for cutting PVC pipes into strips or squares.
After collecting all of these required items, you can finally start crafting your quilt frame.
iii. Cut PVC pipes according to the requirement
Cut the PVC pipes according to their size. You can cut the PVC pipes with a hacksaw, an electric pipe cutter, or a PVC pipe cutter. The hacksaw is easier to make the frame the correct size.
The hacksaw will give you the perfect cutting job and minor damage to your blade. However, if you don’t have one at home, it’s better to use the electric pipe cutter or PVC piping cutter instead.
iv. Assemble the quilting frame
Now you have got your designs, supplies, and tools ready. It’s time to assemble them and create a beautiful quilting frame finally. We need to follow these provided steps to make a perfect quilt frame.
- First, you will need to assemble the frame. Get two pieces of PVC pipe from the hardware store and make a triangle shape with them.
- Now, you will need to connect the two pieces with a piece of metal at one end. You can either use your hands for this purpose or use a hammer and screwdriver. Secure the metal piece using screws that are compatible with PVC pipe.
- Next, take off one of the legs from the triangle and make sure it has an inch on its top side. By doing this, we can use it as a handle when attaching the frame to your work surface.
- Attach the other leg of the triangle to your work surface by threading it through both holes on your work surface. Make sure that it is tightly secured in place through all four holes on each leg of your frame.
- Now, you need to attach another leg of PVC pipe to one side of your quilting frame. There is a space inside to insert your needle or threader while working on fabric or paper products.
- Attach another leg to create a second space inside which you can insert your needle or threader
v. Making the Snap Clamp
You will require snap clamps to hold your fabric and batting onto your PVC quilting frame. You can either buy snap clamps from shops or make them yourself by using PVC pipes.
To make your snap clamp, you will require pipes of varying sizes to accommodate your fabrics of different sizes. 1-inch and 1¾-inch pipes can work in most cases efficiently.
You can easily find designs of snap clamps online and use those designs to create a perfect snap clamp for your frame.
Types of Quilting Frame and Important Aspect of PVC Quilting Frame
There are two types of quilting frames available in the market: DIY(Do it yourself) frames and ready-made frames. As the name suggests, ready-made frames are pre-assembled frames.
Ready-made frames are made by different manufacturers and often come as a kit. In comparison, DIY frames need more effort as they need more time to set up than ready-made frames.
DIY frames or Do it yourself frames are generally made using PVC pipes, which you can find in most hardware stores and home improvement centres.
You can find many designs for quilting frames on the internet. You can opt for either a free PVC design or paid one.
You can easily change the method according to your needs and requirements.
We must keep a few parameters in mind to select the best quilting frame according to your needs and workload.
Let’s have a look at all those parameters,
i. Durability and Usability
Durability is one of the most important aspects we need to consider when making PVC quilting frames.
We should take care of all the frame parts and make sure they are sturdy enough. If you want your frame to last longer, then this is a must-do step for you.
If your frame is not durable, it will break down when working on it. This will increase your workload manifold and be a financial burden for you.
So always make sure that your quilting frame is durable and according to your requirements.
ii. Size of Quilting Frame
Before you start making a new quilting frame, you have to decide its size. The ideal length of a quilting frame is 10-14 inches in width and 15-18 inches in height.
The height of the quilter’s back should be 18-20 inches from the ground, and the maximum size you can make it from floor to ceiling is 24-26 inches. It is essential not to go higher than this as it would take away your sewing space for yourself.
Always adhere to the provided size in your design before making your quilt frame. Error in quilting frame dimension will lead to error in your final quilt. So always make sure that you use the correct frame size.
iii. Cost of Quilting Frame
It would be best to consider the first thing before buying a quilting frame is your budget. You can easily find different types and models of PVC quilting frames depending on the price range of your business.
Many quilting frames are available for sale, which cost under $20. However, it depends on your needs and what type of design you want, whether it will work for you or not.
If you cannot invest time to make your PVC quilting frame, you should purchase a frame directly from the retailer.
However, if you cannot purchase a reasonable quilting frame according to your need, you can make your PVC quilting frame.
What is a Quilting Frame, and How Does it Works?
A quilting frame is a large structure either made of PVC or a ready-made frame that holds all three quilt parts. It contains the quilt top, the batting, and the backing. It keeps the quilt intact while we work on it.
The quilting frame is a must for every quilter out there. Quilting frames can help speed up your process and reduce your workload. Without it, you will find yourself in lots of trouble as you need to put more effort into even a small task.
Its ability to hold the quilt at three different points acts as an additional pair of hands by elevating the quilt It also holds the quilt in an optimal position for us to work on it.
Conclusion
So we can finally conclude the article here. We have learned about different parameters and steps that we need to consider while making our PVC quilt.
You can always use different frames designs available online for your reference or inspiration.
If you don’t have the time and patience to create a quilting frame yourself, then you can buy a ready-made frame from the market.
I hope you like this article. Happy Quilting!
