yolajean

I did not read all of the replies so if I'm doubling up, forgive me. My DDL taught me that when you have the majority of the quilt on the front side of your machine, throw it up over your shoulder to lighten the weight. This helped me. Also, there is a tutorial on Craftsy, which helped me. It is Quilting Large Projects on a Small Machine by Ann Peterson.

momsbusy

I have used my DSM for many quilts, even king size. Paula Reid has a Craftsy class where she recommends smooshing or squishing (technical terms) not rolling your quilt. I adjust my quilts so that I have the least amount of quilt possible under the throat. I adjust my quilt a lot.

JuneBillie

More good tips and comments that I appreciate.

Jeanette Frantz

Gosh, I thought I posted the picture of the very large Queen size quilt I did on my 201-2. At any rate, here it is. This quilt was 88" X 118".
[ATTACH=CONFIG]583993[/ATTACH]

jokir44

I anchor my quilt well with about 3 SITD rows each direction, depending on size. If I plan to ditch the whole thing then I might do more. When the quilt is that secure it doesn't matter where you start quilting it. I do as Harriet Hargrave said and start at an edge to the left of the machine. Keep going until you get to the middle and turn. A quilted roll is quite a bit smaller than one that has pins and more maneuverable.

mountainwoman

I've quilted a twin size and a queen-size quilt using a quilt-as-you-go technique, and that has worked out for me. Mostly, though, I make lap quilt/throws. An important consideration is the type of batting you use; I specifically use Soft & Bright polyester by The Warm Company -needled and just 1/8th of an inch thick, it just glides through my machine and drapes beautifully, adding just the right amount of warmth and weight to lounge around on the couch or chair with. My machine is a Brother SQ9185 Compterized Sewing and Quilting machine. Good luck!

Becky's Crafts

I learned to quilt on a very small Brother machine. It might have had 5" at best. I machine quilted a queen sized quilt on it. Not saying it was easy, but I did it! I at times rolled a little of the quilt, but found that too stiff to move easily, so found that pooling the quilt with an extra table at the end of my sewing table to support the weight of it to be the best way for me. If your machine is lightweight, use rubber shelf lining under it to keep it steady.

JuneBillie

Becky's Crafts, my machine is about like that.

I am going to have to put some of that rubber stuff, because it slides some. I have about 1/3 of the quilt done. I had to stop for a bit due to all the wrestling with it, and my tendon swollen and sore in one hand. (bad arthritis) I think it is a full size, but just didn't have any of the extra strips on all edges before binding. I had some of it over my shoulder at times, and did some quilting in a certain area, and at times I would roll some. I think I did a little bit of everything from everyone's tips.

This is one my brother in law had made for him by his grandma, and ask me if I could do anything with it. It was so bad that I kept her top square pieces as she had them, and put a new batting and backing on before doing all the rest. I washed it to begin with. The inside and backing it came with had parts missing. The fabrics she used for the top squares are from stretchy fabrics instead of cottons. It was from what she had a long time ago as many did.

I think he will be pleased to see it when finished though.
I sure am learning a lot from it though. I am pleased with that.