Newbie quilter-quilting on home sewing machine questions
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 17
Newbie quilter-quilting on home sewing machine questions
This is only my second quilt I've ever made. Aside from squaring up and trimming threads, I'm done with the top. So now I'm trying to figure out how to quilt it.I originally thought I could just stitch in the ditch vertically up the strips and then on each edge of the border. But now I'm reading I need horizontal stitches as well? Is that true? If so, could I just do a few stitches at the top of each rectangle (8 1/2" inches tall)? Or does it need to go across the whole width of the quilt?
Also I would like to do a different pattern for the border to make it stand out, any ideas for something super easy to do on the most basic of sewing machines?
And lastly, if I use a flannel sheet as the batting, how far apart can my stitches be for the quilting?
When I tried to upload a photo it wouldn't let me so for reference, I used the pattern "playing the scales" by happy quilting. http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/...-tutorial.html
Thank you!
Also I would like to do a different pattern for the border to make it stand out, any ideas for something super easy to do on the most basic of sewing machines?
And lastly, if I use a flannel sheet as the batting, how far apart can my stitches be for the quilting?
When I tried to upload a photo it wouldn't let me so for reference, I used the pattern "playing the scales" by happy quilting. http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/...-tutorial.html
Thank you!
Last edited by Slpmama123; 09-25-2019 at 08:09 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 686
my very first quilt was a rail fence and I took a class at the local quilt store. It was lap size and we quilted it on the diagonal about 4 inches apart. Pretty easy and has held up well for over 12 years now.
Just an idea for you.
And welcome to the forum....
Just an idea for you.
And welcome to the forum....
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 410
This is only my second quilt I've ever made. Aside from squaring up and trimming threads, I'm done with the top. So now I'm trying to figure out how to quilt it.I originally thought I could just stitch in the ditch vertically up the strips and then on each edge of the border. But now I'm reading I need horizontal stitches as well? Is that true? If so, could I just do a few stitches at the top of each rectangle (8 1/2" inches tall)? Or does it need to go across the whole width of the quilt?
I know others have said that it is necessary to put in "horizontal" quilting and not just have quilting lines in one direction, but I don't quite understand that myself. Quilts made with ties have just tacks at points and no lines at all, and they hold up just fine, so I don't understand why having lines in just one direction wouldn't work, since that's actually more quilting than a tied quilt. If someone wants to explain that to me, I'd appreciate it.
#7
No reason you need horizontal lines! Look at all the modern quilts that have lovely " channel quilting"!
As for adding photos...this site requires small size ...so what l do is email photo to myself. My email has a " resize" option. I chose medium or small. Then when my email arrives ( a few seconds later), l open photo it and " saveto device".( l use a samsung tablet). That size will post nicely ( chose the icon of tree ( 3rd last) within frame at top of quick reply comment box).
As for adding photos...this site requires small size ...so what l do is email photo to myself. My email has a " resize" option. I chose medium or small. Then when my email arrives ( a few seconds later), l open photo it and " saveto device".( l use a samsung tablet). That size will post nicely ( chose the icon of tree ( 3rd last) within frame at top of quick reply comment box).
Last edited by stitch678; 09-26-2019 at 05:20 AM.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,893
I'm not an experienced quilter, but the suggestion to quilt a flannel sheet at 3 to 4 inches seems excessive. It's not batting, so it shouldn't shift. As long as the sheet is washed and dried a couple of times, it should not shrink any more. I generally use Warm and Natural batting and it says to quilt it 25 cm apart, which is a little more than 9 inches. Why would a flannel sheet take denser quilting than batting?
bkay
bkay
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,231
It's not the flannel, it's the batting choice that will determine how far apart you can quilt it. Read manufacturer's directions on the batting and follow it. There are a wide range of batting choices, and distances apart you can quilt.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,183
Do prewash/shrink your flannel first!
I've done many quilts on my sturdy little old vintage machine with the feed dogs engaged, but I could do fancier stuff on borders by making multiple trips around the quilt. You can do a lot with an oval that intersects with a diamond and then a row of outline about an inch away from either side.
Do some searches on "continuous line quilt border" or "pumpkin seed quilt design". Even things like little squares aren't so bad because you sew two sides at a time, turn, do turn, etc. and then go around again. You don't outline each and every square unless you are doing freemotion.
I've done many quilts on my sturdy little old vintage machine with the feed dogs engaged, but I could do fancier stuff on borders by making multiple trips around the quilt. You can do a lot with an oval that intersects with a diamond and then a row of outline about an inch away from either side.
Do some searches on "continuous line quilt border" or "pumpkin seed quilt design". Even things like little squares aren't so bad because you sew two sides at a time, turn, do turn, etc. and then go around again. You don't outline each and every square unless you are doing freemotion.
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