Quilt-as-you-go: to dovetail or not to dovetail?
#1
Hi Folks! I'm a fairly new quilter who's interested in getting better at free-motion quilting. I have a very basic (i.e. inexpensive) sewing machine, and I've found that I really like quilt-as-you go techniques. I'm currently working on my second quilt-as-you-go project, and I'm using a low loft 80/20 cotton batting. I think I've got it figured out how to do it without sashing between the blocks, but it leaves little room to dovetail the batting. I've read some quilt-as-you-go tutorials that don't dovetail the batting at all, but just butt the two pieces together. Has anybody done this??? I'm concerned it might leave weakness between the blocks, especially after I wash it, and the batting shrinks. On the other hand, the batting is already very thin, and it might not make much difference. Any thoughts? Suggestions??? Thanks!!!
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
i've been quilting for years (1976) and feel like a real dummy- what the heck is dove tailing the batting?
i have always butted my batts up against each other- works just fine- sometimes i peice whole batts for a quilt- for those i butt the two pieces and zigzag them- but for qayg i just butt them together- never had anything come apart-separate- or anything else bad.
i might not know what dove=tailing is- but i bet its more work.
i have always butted my batts up against each other- works just fine- sometimes i peice whole batts for a quilt- for those i butt the two pieces and zigzag them- but for qayg i just butt them together- never had anything come apart-separate- or anything else bad.
i might not know what dove=tailing is- but i bet its more work.
#4
That's what dovetailing means. Never done it. Too much work for me. LOL
http://www.secretsof.com/content/624
http://www.secretsof.com/content/624
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
I made one where I butted the batting together, but I made sure that there was a lot of quilting in this area. It's a queen and used on a bed, laundered a couple of times. Seems to be holding up just fine.
#6
When I cut the batting into manageable sized pieces, I put registration marks so I know where to whip stitch them together at. I do not cut the batting in a straight line. It has gradual curves (making the registration marks easier to line up). I do not duplicate those marks either. I would use an "I" on one, "II" on the second and so on. I have been known to cut my batting pieces on the diagonal, so there is no additional stress if the finished quilt is to be folded and stored.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,176
Originally Posted by EasyPeezy
That's what dovetailing means. Never done it. Too much work for me. LOL
http://www.secretsof.com/content/624
http://www.secretsof.com/content/624
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