Blue Button

I am wanting to use 2 different colors of thread on the top of a quilt. I'm using a long arm. I want to do the center of the quilt (which is pastel colors) with a light color thread and the borders (which are navy and dark purple total 18") in a dark color thread. Is there a way to do this without having to change the thread each time I quilt a row? Can I do all of the center and then somehow re-roll the quilt and do the borders? Thanks for any suggestions.

selm

If you were to baste the whole quilt first(2-4" grid) you could probably roll back and forth ok.
My first teacher told me she always did what had to be done in a section and then rolled(always basting the sides as you go) and that's mainly what I follow even if I have to change threads frequently.

indycat32

I just did this. I basted as usual ( across the top and down the sides as I advanced the quilt, then the bottom), quilted the inside of the quilt with white, then rolled it back and did the borders in red. I had no problem.
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quiltingshorttimer

Yes, if you are doing the center of the quilt with the same color and baste down the edges as you roll, you should be fine to go back later and then do the borders.

Blue Button

Thank you for your information. I went ahead and quilted this one all over in a neutral grayish thread and it looked okay. I was on a deadline to get it done. I am anxious to try this though. I thought it might work. I'm a real beginner on the long arm and am ready to try some other things besides all over "squiggles". Any suggestions on good instructions?

Blue Button

Beautiful quilt.

Pam S

YouTube has tons of good videos for longarm instruction. HQ and APQS have some good basic ones. Have fun just playing on practice pieces and you'll pick it up fast.

feline fanatic

If you ever get the opportunity to take a hands on class at a major machine quilting show (such as Birds of a Feather or MQX) I highly recommend it. Many longarm dealers also offer classes. They are expensive but worth it in the long haul. Yes there are many on line classes as well. AQS offers several you can either download or purchase a CD and they are a fraction of the cost of attending a hands on class. But I feel you get much more out of a hands on class.

As far as quilting in many different color threads and rolling back and forth, you have gotten great advice to baste well. An alternative is to do all you SITD first (and baste the edges), which can also act as all over basting, then roll back and forth for each color change. Here are in-process pictures of a quilt I did using just that process.

Agave Garden Going over the top with quilting sneak peek