Really Scary
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
Posts: 6,726
I agree with all of the great advice that you have been given. I bought a twin size quilt (it was store bought not hand done) at my local thrift store for $1.00, washed it clean, and whenever I want to practice a quilting pattern I bring out that quilt and practice away. It has worked great for me and I feel more secure starting on my quilt after just practicing on my practice quilt. Good luck, and try to have fun with the process.
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
I agree with DogHouseMom. PLEASE don't start on a "real" top until you have lots of smaller practice items under your belt. I'm sure that there are one or two naturals out there, but most of the rest of us needed hours and hours of practice before attempting a real quilt.
My heart breaks every time I hear of someone starting quilting on a real quilt they intend to keep.
All of the free motion quilt patterns take time and practice. You need to develop a rhythm, a "muscle memory", and a sense of where you've been and where you need to be on the quilt - and do it all at the same time. Equate it to somone leaning how to drive a manual transmission with no lessons and starting them at the top of a mountain pass.
Put scraps of fabric and batting together and practice on those until you are comfortable. I have tons of little scrap sandwiches laying around with practices of this and that motif. If there is a new motif I want to use, I'll practice it 3-4 times or more if necessary, before I attempt to put it on my quilt.
All of the free motion quilt patterns take time and practice. You need to develop a rhythm, a "muscle memory", and a sense of where you've been and where you need to be on the quilt - and do it all at the same time. Equate it to somone leaning how to drive a manual transmission with no lessons and starting them at the top of a mountain pass.
Put scraps of fabric and batting together and practice on those until you are comfortable. I have tons of little scrap sandwiches laying around with practices of this and that motif. If there is a new motif I want to use, I'll practice it 3-4 times or more if necessary, before I attempt to put it on my quilt.
#23
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,827
QuiltE, I would love to do that but I am computer challenged. I even have to get help to do pictures. I put the tape triangles spaced evenly on the top. They will end up in the pentagram shape that will be created when you do the simple star line shape around it. You could use other shapes like the price dots for yard sales etc. It is basically to get even coverage of quilting on the quilt. I am slooowly trying to improve my computer skills but it isn't easy.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HOME is SE Missouri
Posts: 411
youtube actually has dozens or more tutorials i found them very helpful they start at beginner and go to advanced
start here she can take you a long way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39I5A3iyCtw
start here she can take you a long way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39I5A3iyCtw
Last edited by annies-best; 03-15-2012 at 07:05 PM.
#25
I second this. Watch her videos and practice, practice, practice.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 5,051
Ask around. I know a couple of ladies who use pantographs to quilt quilt tops and they are incredibly reasonably priced. I can get a queen top quilted for around 80.00 or less which is low priced. Simple patterns but works for me.
Sandy
Sandy
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,250
They make a paper product you put on your fabric with the stipple design on it, you just sew over the lines.
I tried it once, but too much of a hassle, but may work for others. I don't even try to stipple. Just stitch in the ditch, or diagonally using masking tape. For my gift quilts for family I save, and send them out to a LAQ.
By the time you rip out, resew, rip out, ruin fabric, waste thread and time involved you can pay someone to do the stipple stich and have a professionally looking quilt.
I tried it once, but too much of a hassle, but may work for others. I don't even try to stipple. Just stitch in the ditch, or diagonally using masking tape. For my gift quilts for family I save, and send them out to a LAQ.
By the time you rip out, resew, rip out, ruin fabric, waste thread and time involved you can pay someone to do the stipple stich and have a professionally looking quilt.
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