Bill'sBonBon

Alright I have been so busy with TKD and trying to get 3 quilts made for my Grt.Grnd kids. I have been on here sparaticly. I have been teaching myself freemotion quilting. I don't want the 3 quilts to be flat and stiff. SOOOOOOOOOO I know that stippling does that. But will about 3 to 4 inches apart be meandering? and shouldn't it be sorta of soft that far apart. I don't want to tie these quilts. They are in 12 in blocks with the attic window. That is Dinosaures and pixies. The Dinos are ready to quilt. been sandwiched and basted. was thinking about stitch in the ditch on the sashes and meandering on the 12 in block of Dinos.
What do you all think? need some opinions.
Will Pos pictures when I am finished.
Bill'sBonBon

Minda

Meandering 3" to 4" apart will not make your quilt stiff. I've even done larger meandering than that. Just be sure to check the recommended space between quilting lines for the type of batting you're using.

Spudgm

I did my grandbabies quilts with a stitch-in-the-ditch and they were 2" apart and the quilts were not stiff so I would say that anything from 2" up would be fine and like Minda said just check the recommended spacing for the batting.

I'm just learning the FMQ also. I took a class a couple of weeks ago and it really helped with the tension, that is where I was really struggling. I hope to get serious about learning after the 1st of the year.

bluebird

Have been struggling with free motion and stippling also. Found out that stippling is pretty stiff :cry: and the free motion gets strange shapes quite often :lol: Think I'm going back to straight stitching, that seemed to turn out nicer for me. Need lots of practice stuff before I attempt it again, or maybe smaller areas. :D

jacquemoe

I find that 100% cottom batting isn't as stiff and 80%-20%. They do soften up a little more after each wash. I agree, anything 2" or larger should be just fine.

jljack

Warm & Natural actually says up to 10" apart will work - My own "meandering" is a series of large, soft, swirling loops, kind of like vines, but with little circles instead of leaves. I like the soft look of it, and have gotten many compliments on the pattern it makes.

Boston1954

I LOVE Warm and Natural! If I should get a little lazy in my hand stitching, I don't feel bad because I know the batting can take it.

stay-at-home

HAS ANY BODY TRIED THE NEW BATTING AT jOANN'S THAT IS MADE FROM BAMBOO?? I WONDER IF IT QUILTS SOFT OR STIFF??

Bill'sBonBon

Thank all of you for the information on Meandering and stippling. It is now practise,practise,practise
:shock: :lol:
Bill'sBonBon