I have started machine quilting my king size quilt. I definitely need a big work area, I am using my dining room table and to my left I set up my ironing board at the same height as my table for the quilt to sit on. I found a great video/tutorial at
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/videos/ . Be sure to watch this video, and an expert tells you how to quilt a big quilt on your home sewing machine. This is great for people like me who do not have a long arm quilter but want to do their own quilting.
If you'll remember we started hand quilting the center a week ago.
http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/02/hand-quilting-bird-house-quilt.html Since my goal is to have it quilted and bound by Friday so that we can meet together for one last quilting bee (for this quilt), to sew on a lot of buttons for the doors to the bird houses, I need to get it quilted this week.
Mabeth, in the above video, says to not worry about rolling the quilt and just scrunch it up into the arm while quilting. I tried both and must agree with her. You also need to use both hands to keep the batting and everything smooth as you sew. This prevents puckers. It would help tremendously if I had an extension table for my sewing machine. I've already told my husband he needs to make me one. I want a big one to set right on the table, this is in lieu of a sewing machine cabinet.
She also said to fold your ends over to slid under the foot easier. This keeps your sandwich from getting tangled in the foot. She has a lot of good info so be sure to watch the video.
I'm not sure how well you can see it, but I started by sewing in the ditch horizontally straight across the quilt. I'm doing both sides of the sash and through the middle of the 4 patches and the birdhouses since they line up exactly. I know that I will also quilt both sides of the triangle of the roof top.
My first question is, when I sew it up and down, as you can see my lines do not line up. Should I still sew in the ditch only or keep with doing straight lines all the way up, even if it is not in the ditch? I'm hesitant to sew straight across the birdhouse. I am afraid of under quilting it. Do I need more lines horizontally also? It would have been great doing free motion quilting, and I did just buy a foot set, but I need to practice first before doing it on a quilt.
My second question is, See the embroidery block? For right now I'm just quilting around it, but I know that it will need some quilting. Should I hand quilt it, and if so in what way to avoid messing with the design?
Thanks in advance for answering all my questions! The only thing I have quilted before was a small wall hanging that was in the ditch mostly and lined up symmetrically. LOL
Of course Pippi is being her usual helpful self! She is going to miss this quilt when we give it away, and yes, I will wash it first! LOL
Missy
6 comments:
Wish I could help Missy but I hand stitch my quilts. Are you blogging friends with Betty Lou from Sugarlandquilts.com? She's super nice and helpful; you can contact her and I'm sure she'll have some answers to help you!
~Cindy
I admire you and your ability to sew that large quilt on the machine. I have always quilted but after several attempts to machine sew a quilt that large I simply quit trying. Love your site, when I need to see material I come visit..Thanks for linking up to The Country Homemaker Hop.
Dolly
For the vertical lines I say stay in the ditch. For the embroidery square choose a free-flowing design that mimics the loose ribbons there. Employ all those little girls when it comes time to button sewing!
Hi Missy,
Your quilt is coming along nicely. I am a quilter, though today I mostly use a longarm. I do not know what type of batting you are using and that matters, but a general rule of thumb I was taught by Dawn Cavanaugh is to quilt no further than 4" apart to minimize batting movement when using an 80/20, thin wool or cotton batting. I looked at your images up close and I think it looks great. Using this rule, you would not have to quilt on top of the embroidery block, but rather in the ditch around it. You should quilt both vertical and horizontal or it will warp. You can use the 4" rule there too. I am really impressed that you are taking on such an awesome challenge. When you're done with this huge quilt, everything else will be easy.
Thank you for the quilting website. I went there and found many helpful videos. I have looked everywhere for a site like that. I appreciate your help. Good luck on your big quilt.
I love the blue you used in this quilt! You chose such cheery colors! Your friend is going to love it! If your cat can actually let her have it :) It looks cozy. I am so glad your church class was safe and they all listened and walked in a line for you. What a hectic day. I hope you found a car, too! Have a great week!
Jenny
Seamingly Smitten
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