Quilting a King-sized top
#11
Some places rent time on a long arm machine. I think the one place quoted $20/hour. You will probably want to and be required to take a class to learn to use the machine. Much less expensive than the LAQ charge + S/H to the LAQ.
I choose carefully which quilts I will pay to have LAQ. It is a special treat for me to have quilts LAQ'ed.
I choose carefully which quilts I will pay to have LAQ. It is a special treat for me to have quilts LAQ'ed.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
I'll tell you why I no longer try to FMQ anything larger than a small twin at home.
Several years ago (when I was much younger, less achy, and more nimble than I am now) I pushed to get a quilt FMQ'd at home for a show and didn't want to pay for a LAQ rush job. For 8 weeks after that show, after quilting that quilt myself, I visited the chiropractor several times a week to "fix" the shoulder I'd "killed" trying to do it my self.
I could have paid the LAQ easily with the co-pays/deductibles I spent! Never again. I PROMISED myself.
Jan in VA
Several years ago (when I was much younger, less achy, and more nimble than I am now) I pushed to get a quilt FMQ'd at home for a show and didn't want to pay for a LAQ rush job. For 8 weeks after that show, after quilting that quilt myself, I visited the chiropractor several times a week to "fix" the shoulder I'd "killed" trying to do it my self.
I could have paid the LAQ easily with the co-pays/deductibles I spent! Never again. I PROMISED myself.
Jan in VA
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Small town south of Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 1,692
It can be done. I lay it across my kitchen table to do the pinning and then I quilted it on my Janome with only a 9" throat. I had quilted several that way before I got my Tin Lizzie. If you use your ironing board or two kitchen chairs to help keep the weight from dragging, it is not too bad. I have done FMQ and crosshatching on my Janome, including SID. It can be done! Good Luck!
#18
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Which brand of silicone spray is safe for fabric? I'd like to order a can!
I split the batting on large quilts into 3 pieces and quilt the middle section first. I first saw this technique described in a Debra Wagner book, but I think it is included in the Marti Michel book too. I use a Sharpie permanent marker to create registration marks before storing the other 2 sections of batting; makes putting the batting back together much easier. I also use the new batting tape (or pieces of nylon tricot fusible cut into strips) to fasten the batting back together.
I split the batting on large quilts into 3 pieces and quilt the middle section first. I first saw this technique described in a Debra Wagner book, but I think it is included in the Marti Michel book too. I use a Sharpie permanent marker to create registration marks before storing the other 2 sections of batting; makes putting the batting back together much easier. I also use the new batting tape (or pieces of nylon tricot fusible cut into strips) to fasten the batting back together.
#19
I recently finished quilting my king size quilt on my dsm (and a vintage machine at that - a Singer 15-91). And I was worried about the same things you are worried about. So - decided to cut my batting into thirds. I chose to do meandering on the entire quilt, and I started with the middle section. I used a fusible tape to attach the batting back together. I used 505 spray for basting.
When reading about cutting the batting for a larger quilt, it was recommended to cut in in a wavy pattern, not a straight line. I ended up with an extreme wave, which I would not recommend. Next time (yes, I would do this again) - I will do a gentle wave. Also, I think it would make it easier to add back in the batting pieces if the stitching stopped in roughly a straight line down the quilt a couple of inches in from the edge of the batting. The quilt was so big, I kind of got lost as I meandered around, feeling for the edge of the batting. Some of my stitching came perilously close to the edges.
Honestly, I think I could have done this without cutting the batting in thirds. Yes, it would have been tight in spots, but doable. Next time I would probably just cut the batting in half. I have to admit it was nice to be able to move around the middle of the quilt easily. I puddle my quilt when I FMQ.
I am attaching a picture of my quilt while I was working on it, as well as the end result (almost end result - I still need to do the binding). I also added a picture of my favorite sewing machine - the one I used to FMQ on this top.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329269[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329270[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329271[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329272[/ATTACH]
When reading about cutting the batting for a larger quilt, it was recommended to cut in in a wavy pattern, not a straight line. I ended up with an extreme wave, which I would not recommend. Next time (yes, I would do this again) - I will do a gentle wave. Also, I think it would make it easier to add back in the batting pieces if the stitching stopped in roughly a straight line down the quilt a couple of inches in from the edge of the batting. The quilt was so big, I kind of got lost as I meandered around, feeling for the edge of the batting. Some of my stitching came perilously close to the edges.
Honestly, I think I could have done this without cutting the batting in thirds. Yes, it would have been tight in spots, but doable. Next time I would probably just cut the batting in half. I have to admit it was nice to be able to move around the middle of the quilt easily. I puddle my quilt when I FMQ.
I am attaching a picture of my quilt while I was working on it, as well as the end result (almost end result - I still need to do the binding). I also added a picture of my favorite sewing machine - the one I used to FMQ on this top.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329269[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329270[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329271[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329272[/ATTACH]
#20
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southeast Wisconsin
Posts: 1,070
Being cheap, instead of buying another something - silicon spray - I used Pledge spray furniture wax and it worked excellent. Didn't hurt my machine or my table.
I have also heard - but haven't tried - using car wax.
The next time I am quilting something large I am going to try the technique mentioned on Oh Fransson. That sounded very logical.
I have also heard - but haven't tried - using car wax.
The next time I am quilting something large I am going to try the technique mentioned on Oh Fransson. That sounded very logical.
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