tezell0801

OK, I finished piecing a 9 patch - one row is 8" sq nine patch blocks, next row is the same but every other block is a solid. It is Halloween fabrics.

This will be my first attempt at quilting and I am not sure what to do. Do I do diagonals on the 9-patch blocks, then what on the solids? Or just do diagonals all blocks?

If I could I would love to do a sort of spider web patter on the solids.

Please tell me what you suggest, I am lost. NO idea what looks best on a 9 patch - busy fabric.

Jingle

No idea, I do a large stipple on all my quilts. I love doing it and I love the looks of it. I also quilt on a DSM.

tezell0801

Jingle, I have never attempted stipple- or anything for that matter, I want to learn but think I need something real basic for the first attempt. Thanks! Hoping someone will be able to help and give me confidence I can do it!

QuiltE

There's a lot of possibilities!
While you have told us your patchwork design, the fabrics may speak differently as to how to quilt
... please post a photo!!
Thanks!

QuiltnNan

if you are very new to the quilting, doing diagonals on all of the blocks would be a good way to get the feel of putting the quilt under the machine's harp. using a walking foot would help with this straight line design. if you want to try some free motion for the spider webs, i would suggest that you practice on a smaller quilt sandwich. please let us know how it came out.

Tartan

If this is your first attempt at machine quilting you might want to view some videos on getting the sandwich ready. I am going to assume you basted the sandwich with spray basting, pin basting or thread basting? This keeps the layers from shifting as you move the sandwich around. Are you using a walking foot for quilting straight lines? It helps prevent puckers on the back. You could stitch diagonal lines from corner to corner of each block through the whole quilt. This will stabilized the quilt and will set you up to do spiderwebs in the plain blocks. The plain blocks will now have the two lines in it like a large X. Add the horizontal and verticul lines to the plain block and you have the frame for the spiderweb ready. Quilt in the web lines using the spiderweb frame.

tezell0801

Tartan, great advice, and yes I am getting the sandwich ready to go, so anxious. I think I am going to do just what you suggest ... stay tuned I will let you know how it goes. May take until next Halloween.......

IowaStitcher

I have a spider web template that I have used on more than one quilt. Love it and it sounds like the perfect quilting design for your quilt.

Deborahlees

Just be very carefull with your directional sewing that it does not make your quilt go wonky....This happens when your feeders do not keep up with your top foot, so they are not being sewn together. To some degree your very good sandwiching should protect you here. I do not see any reference as to how big your quilt is... For your first one the smaller the better......I would strongly suggest that you make up a sample to play on first. take a piece of backing, batting and a random piece for top....sandwich as you are playing on doing. then play on your machine. I would make up a 36" square to play on, this will give you a decent idea of how you are going to have to push and pull....I have found that quilting gloves really help me, if you don't have a pair. A new pair of gardening gloves will work.

carslo

I started with stitch in the ditch but missed the ditch frequently. When I decided to make the jump to meandering I made a doll quilt and priacticed on that and then gave it to the granddaughter (I hate to waste anything) What about just outlining on the inside each square? Good luck, with some time you will be a champion of quilting your own things.