bri1977

I am pretty new to quilting and just learned FMQ, which I did on a small scrap quilt I made. It turned out pretty well for my first time I thought :) (with the exception of aching wrists) I have a very large t shirt quilt top which I plan on quilting with a Large Meander stitch. I have everything I need to finish it but NERVE. If anyone has any tips or words of encouragement before I start it would be greatly appreciated!!! Here is a pic of the top. All of my favorite band t's from the last 17 years.

Prism99

I would divide the batting into 3 pieces before spray basting to make it easier to maneuver the quilt under a domestic machine arm. There are some posts here on how to do it, probably some videos, and even a book (Quilting in Sections by Marti Michell, I think).

MTS

What a great quilt! I especially like the way you made half-blocks from the t-shirts and used them as the border, and used only a very thin sashing.

I can just give you words of encouragement but no advice. There area many tutorials and videos about basting a larger quilt (which is half the hassle).

Here's how some of the masters do it, regardless if you're doing a meandering stitch or dense micro-stippling. That will give you some ideas whatever method of quilting you decide on.

Sharon Schamber's basting videos (2 parts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_EjBGz5vGQ

Caryl Bryer Fallert - Quilting a Large Quilt
http://www.bryerpatch.com/faq/machin...largequilt.htm

Building a FMQ table (cheap)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25v3ZTk0

Rebecca VLQ

That is my favorite t-shirt quilt EVER. Very snazzy.

As for quilting, I would agree w/spray basting. The foundation helps the tees not be so stretchy, but get everything kinda solid so you're good to go! :D

(Normally I'd pin and do FMQ on a standard machine, but since it's tees...go with the spray!)

Debra Mc

Please tell me you interfaced all the blocks. When I made my 1st Tee shirt I didn't do this so I had to go back & iron on pellon (light) on the back of all the blocks. Love the shirts, super cool.

bri1977

Thanks everyone! I never even thought of spray basting. I calculated that I would need around 600 safety pins to baste it securely (I think I only have 100). Yes Debra Mc, I used Pellon featherweight interfacing, Thank Goodness! Anyway, thanks for the advice and links. I will be sure to post pics of the finished product.

boxerlady

Just meander away, try to avoid areas that have heavy designs (that "heavy" rubberized paint). Just have fun with it! Your quilt looks good.