Need advice quilting leaves
#1
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I attach below a photo of a border that I'm trying to quilt. As you see, the border fabric is of leaves.
I want to quilt around each leaf. I started hand-quilting, which allows me the greatest control, but I cannot come close to neither an acceptable stitch gauge nor an acceptable rhythm; in addition, it will take more time than I have (quilt to be auctioned 22 May; it's lap size and there are about five yards of this border), and I'm not sure that either my eyes or my hands are "young" enough to get through this process. (P.S. I've never hand-quilted anything before.)
On the machine, I have only ever done stitch-in-the-ditch with a standard foot. Last night I attempted to attach a generic walking foot (purchased at Hancocks recently) to my 1970s Monkey Wards machine; doesn't fit. I have other feet for this machine, but not a walking foot. There is a "foot" with only a "circle" through which the needle would go.
I'm thinking of trying free-motion but know nothing about it. And as I look at the pattern, I fear that I'd have to do a lot of stop-start as I jump from one group of leaves to another.
Basically I think I'm in over my head (not that that's stopped me in the past) and need advice from quilters here.
Sending to a free-arm quilter is not an option. a) I have no way to compensate her; b) my piecing on this leaves (ahem) much to be desired in places (i.e., I'm embarrassed to have anyone else look THAT closely at it); c) I doubt there's time.
Suggestions? I really do want to quilt around these leaves.
I want to quilt around each leaf. I started hand-quilting, which allows me the greatest control, but I cannot come close to neither an acceptable stitch gauge nor an acceptable rhythm; in addition, it will take more time than I have (quilt to be auctioned 22 May; it's lap size and there are about five yards of this border), and I'm not sure that either my eyes or my hands are "young" enough to get through this process. (P.S. I've never hand-quilted anything before.)
On the machine, I have only ever done stitch-in-the-ditch with a standard foot. Last night I attempted to attach a generic walking foot (purchased at Hancocks recently) to my 1970s Monkey Wards machine; doesn't fit. I have other feet for this machine, but not a walking foot. There is a "foot" with only a "circle" through which the needle would go.
I'm thinking of trying free-motion but know nothing about it. And as I look at the pattern, I fear that I'd have to do a lot of stop-start as I jump from one group of leaves to another.
Basically I think I'm in over my head (not that that's stopped me in the past) and need advice from quilters here.
Sending to a free-arm quilter is not an option. a) I have no way to compensate her; b) my piecing on this leaves (ahem) much to be desired in places (i.e., I'm embarrassed to have anyone else look THAT closely at it); c) I doubt there's time.
Suggestions? I really do want to quilt around these leaves.
#3
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a walking foot will not help you quilt around those leaves- a walking foot is good for stitch in the ditch/cross-hatching, ect- straight lines.
a free motion foot (also called a darning foot) is used for free motion quilting.
make a (practice) sandwich about 12" square, put a few leaves on it and practice. free motion quilting takes some practice before it looks good enough for a quilt up for auction.
if you do not have a darning foot do you have a clear foot so you can see where you are going? that would help=
also with a walking foot the feed dogs are kept up- used-
with free motion the feed dogs are put down- not used- which allows you move the fabric sandwich around
a free motion foot (also called a darning foot) is used for free motion quilting.
make a (practice) sandwich about 12" square, put a few leaves on it and practice. free motion quilting takes some practice before it looks good enough for a quilt up for auction.
if you do not have a darning foot do you have a clear foot so you can see where you are going? that would help=
also with a walking foot the feed dogs are kept up- used-
with free motion the feed dogs are put down- not used- which allows you move the fabric sandwich around
#4
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: in retirement
Posts: 1,513
#5
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Originally Posted by gal288
#7
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Thanks; yes, I have a darning foot. I've also been watching Patsern this morning:
http://www.youtube.com/user/patsern
and next I'm off to Peg's link to FMQ leaves.
Thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/user/patsern
and next I'm off to Peg's link to FMQ leaves.
Thanks!
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
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I would find a stencil with a leaf pattern. I wouldn't try and quilt around the printed leaves, just do a leaf pattern in the border to compliment the print. I also like the lattice idea. You can use a walking foot for the lattice, but you need a darning foot to FMQ. If you get a stencil, you can hand quilt. Beautiful fabrics, would like to see the whole quilt when you are done!
#9
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Originally Posted by dd
How about an old fashioned quilting bee? Ask some friends over who quilt and ask them to help you finish this in time for the auction.
I'm going to try FMQ on a 12" test patch and see just how bad I am... (oops... my feed dog switch appears to be jammed... arrghhh)
Let you know how it goes. In the meantime, some add'l photos of the quilt, along with inspectors. (Sorry for the photo quality.)
Middle-east rug/tile inspired quilt for fundraiser
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Who's cuter? Me or the quilt?
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Team Inspector hard at work
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#10
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,176
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Originally Posted by jillaine
Originally Posted by dd
How about an old fashioned quilting bee? Ask some friends over who quilt and ask them to help you finish this in time for the auction.
I'm going to try FMQ on a 12" test patch and see just how bad I am... (oops... my feed dog switch appears to be jammed... arrghhh)
Let you know how it goes. In the meantime, some add'l photos of the quilt, along with inspectors. (Sorry for the photo quality.)
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