Uscgators

New quilter in need of help. Recently made a southwest style quilt top. Need advice on how to quilt it. Design wise. Using domestic home sewing machine. Brand new to free motion quilting. King size chippewas style quilt

BonnieJP

Not sure about the free motion designs. I think a straight line pattern done with a walking foot might look good on a southwest style quilt top. These websites have some ideas if you decide to try a straight line pattern:

https://venividivicky.org/2014/08/25/straight-line-quilting-patterns/

http://www.aqsblog.com/25-nine-patch-quilting-designs[SUB][SUP]
[/SUP][/SUB]

Tartan

Welcome from Ontario, Canada. Since you are using a sewing machine, use 80/20 quilt batt that is less bulky. You will need the quilt sandwich well basted ( videos on YouTube) before starting. A king size is ambitious for a newbie but using a walking foot and straight lines would probably be the simplest.

dunster

By chippewas style, do you mean lots of small squares? If so, crosshatching with straight lines running diagonally through the squares would be very effective. Use the walking foot. This is an example of what I'm thinking - http://www.beautifulskills.com/2019/...crapQuilt.html

juliasb

Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan. This is the place to be to get answers and ideas as well as all kinds of quilty information. I would tend to agree with BonnieJP. Doing some straight line work is a great start for someone without a great deal of experience. Please post a picture of your quilt I can't wait to see it.

nativetexan

being a large quilt and doing straight style quilting, start near the center having half your quilt under the throat of your machine. that way you can work on that section moving it to the left, out of the throat area. then turn the quilt and do the other half. Or quarters. how ever things work out for you. A machine with a larger throat space is lovely if you have one. Good luck.

Jingle

Welcome from Missouri.

Quiltah Mama

Wow, first quilt is a king, your a brave soul. Lots of videos on youtube as previously mentioned on basting and on how to sandwich the quilt. Design wise, I would agree as previous metioned, a straight line design of your choice using a walking foot. Good luck, we love pictures on here to admire others works.

Lori B.

Welcome from Michigan!

klswift

The easiest for you to learn with (and a bit southwestern) would be a large zigzag pattern. Use your walking foot and it will make the pivots. I am not one who likes a tight allover pattern, so I would probably do them 6" - 8" apart, the size depending on the size of your top. Hint - measure the top, is it dividable by 6 or 8? whichever is closer, do that size zigzag. If you use a 6", then it is 3" up and down (to help, chalk a straight line across the top). If 8", use 4" up and down. This should be plenty of quilting to hold it in place. Using a home machine, start with the middle line and work towards the end, flip around an go from centerish to end. This makes for the least amount of fabric in the harp. Some folks roll the excess, some of us don't - your preference. Just sew what your hands hold flat, stop, reposition your hands and sew that space - stop, repo your hands, sew, etc. This keeps is flat and hopefully stops any puckering. !! The person receiving it will be thrilled you made it and with each one you will get better. Enjoy it !