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GramMER 04-21-2012 06:54 AM


Originally Posted by Writergrrl (Post 5155039)
I'm worried about quilting it. ...how in the world am I going to man-handle a king-sized quilt in my machine?

Now would be the time to watch a tutorial on *lap quilting.* When I first learned to quilt in a community class, I was taught the lap quilting method. I made my first two huge quilts in less than 6 weeks that way. I carried each section with me everywhere I went--doctors' offices, school meetings, social gatherings, etc. It was a wonderful conversation starter too, because everyone gathered around to watch. You really ought to consider this method if your space is limited and if you do not have a long-arm quilter.

GramMER 04-21-2012 06:59 AM

My message is probably somewhere in outer space, but I did reply in detail.

To shorten and simplify, I say watch a video or read a book about lap quilting. I made my first two quilts that way and they were huge. It is a practical and logical way for those with limited spake or time.

quiltapillow 04-21-2012 07:04 AM

Hey there: just Quilt as you go; one row at a time or one section at a time;; like doing small baby quilts; then just attach each one into rows. Sure--You Can Do It.......Its yours so it would not hurt to try and see how great it will be when you are finished and you will supprise yourself.......All things are possible. You won't know till you try. Let us know how it comes out. Leave a little extra on the square so the attaching will be easy.

fabricbeforefood 04-21-2012 07:08 AM

I have found that people really "ooh" and "ahh" over anything hand quilted. Why don't you give that a try. It won't be done as fast, but it will be absolutely beautiful.

BeckySt 04-21-2012 07:08 AM


Originally Posted by Tartan (Post 5155241)
I think I would consider cutting the batt in half. Quilt one half of the king size quilt, fold back the top and back and use batting tape or zig zag to re- attach the second half of the batt back and smooth the top and back out and quilt the other half. If you've done twin size before, this will be like doing 2 twin size?

I know an awesome quilter who did it this way and hers were always amazing, now she has a long arm.

jlm5419 04-21-2012 07:45 AM

I have done a queen-sized quilt on my 1923 Singer 66. Yes, the quilt was big and bulky, but it was doable. Look at your quilt as if divided into quarters, work on one quarter at a time, beginning in the center. Make sure you have plenty of table space to hold the bulk of the quilt. I even put a small table (wood tv tray) to my left to hold some of the bulk while I work.

To do the pin basting, I moved some things to create enough floor space to lay it out. If you don't have enough floor space, how about wall space? I've seen youtube videos about spray basting on a wall, and it looks like it would work nicely. Spray basting has the added benefit of not having to remove pins or basting stitches as you work. I personally have not tried wall basting though.

Delilah 04-21-2012 08:16 AM

1 Attachment(s)
I cover my king bed with a big flannel sheet and spray baste. The flannel sheet holds the project in place and protects from over spray. Trick to spray basting is to start lightly and increase according to need. Some projects take to the spray better than others. Doing it on the bed saves the knees and back and spray basting a king quilt can be done in less than an hour.

I also routinely quilt large quilts on my 9" Janome, but have done them on smaller machines. All but one of my 151 quilts have been done by me on the domestics. It takes practice and patience. Just finished one 108x108, another 96x104, and one 108x120. Some are done straight line diagonal, some SID, echo and shadow quilting, and most have at least some FMQ.

I started out with small quilts and slowly got the confidence to do larger ones so don't get discouraged. Like I said, it takes practice and patience. My first attempt at FMQ is embarrassing and I wish that quilt was not being used by a grand niece!!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]329475[/ATTACH]
This is the 108x108 and it has several different quilting designs and techniques.

audsgirl 04-21-2012 08:58 AM


Originally Posted by sewgray (Post 5157700)
Would you share the link again. I did a search, but couldn't find it. Thanks.

Here's the link again. It is on the Modern Quilt Guild site, but it is by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson.

http://themodernquiltguild.com/2012/...quilt/Fransson.

dilyn 04-21-2012 09:23 AM

I have done 2 king sized quilts on my domestic machine. They are a challenge to do but deninately 'doable'. I signed up for a Craftsy online quilting course and have been following her suggestions for sandwiching the quilt on a standard cutting table. You use large clips to fasten down first your backing, then batting and the the top. Once that area is pinned in place you remove the clips and move the quilt refastening as you go. PM me if you want more info on the class!

Nathan's Mimi 04-21-2012 11:55 AM

I have done one on my DSM.If after you have put and pinned the layers together-you can divide it into fourths and quilt each quarter at a time.Sort of like cutting a sandwich into 4 pieces.I just start towards the middle of the whole intersection and work my way outwards.Hope this is as clear as mud to you!

Originally Posted by Writergrrl (Post 5155039)
I've got all the fabric ready to go for the quilt top for my bed, and now I've got cold feet. Can I really do a king-sized top? I'm not worried about the piecing. I can piece until the cows come home. I'm worried about quilting it. I don't have enough floor space to lay it out with batting and backing. And even if I did, how in the world am I going to man-handle a king-sized quilt in my machine? I have a 9" throat, and I've successfully done two twin-sized quilts which weren't too bad. The local longarm quilters are a little out of my budget. Has anyone quilted a king top? If so, do you have any tips about basting and/or quilting?



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