jillmc

I have seen the "clips" at the fabric store....kind of pricey....anyone with other solutions to keeping the excess quilt under control while machine quilting? Thanks!!!

knlsmith

I bought the clips (think they are called bicycle clips) when i first started. They were a pain. I learned through trial and error to just scrunch it up neatly'ish and start from the center and work my way out to a side. Also had an ironing board lowered on my left side to help with the weight of the quilt.

Then I bought a longarm. Lol. No more crawling around on my knees or quilting in my undies and still sweating like crazy.

katier825

Scrunching it up under the arm works better than rolling/clipping for me.

HMK

I'm a scruncher, too.

QuiltE

Hello, my name is QuiltE and I am a Scruncher and Puddler.

The larger the piece, the more tabling to hold the quilt.
My machine is set into a table.
Then I have a table behind the machine, and another to the left to hold the quilt.
The better job you can do with that, the less drag you have on the quilt as you work with it.

jillnjo

I agree with QuiltE, just scrunch and puddle!! I've tried the other things you read and it really didn't help. The key is keeping the quilt on a table or whatever works so you don't have any drag. And you can quickly tell when there is even a slight drag!

Tartan

I puddle rather than roll too. Having the whole quilt supported on your table is a must.

Dolphyngyrl

I thik rollong and clipping is more for straightline quilting and not FMQ

sandilee

I am doing some baby quilts now and brought some "Jaws" clips and like them. they keep all the bulk in one place.

Patti25314

I agree with those above about the table being a must and scrunching and puddling. A little throw over your left shoulder doesn't hurt. I did a king this winter and then remembered why I said never again on something so big.