bearisgray

I do not see how that can be quilted in a continuous line, either.

Don't the continuous line templates come with a " map" with a suggested path?

meyert

Now I have only just started FMQ.. only have done one quilt so far... so this may be a dumb question... but why do you have to quilt in a continuous line? Couldn't you just do all that you can in a continuous line and then start in other spot and do all that can done and so on?

Jan in VA

Continuous line designs just help the flow of the quilting so you don't have to start and stop so often. Of course you CAN do all you can and then start in another spot.

(And here, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask!)

Jan in VA

stillclock

the main heart and swoop can be done continuously. then the outside feathers and the lower swoop. the two remaining feathers have to be done independently.

i ca backtrack, but it's as easy to start and stop and i prefer the balanced thread width/depth/whatever.

and i must say - it looks fantastic

thanks for your help!

aileen

meyert

Ok.. so I am not breaking any quilting commandments by starting and stopping - good to know One the one quilt I did FMQ I did stop and start several times.. but I noticed the ends where started or stopped (don't know which) were very ugly on the back side.. like the thread all knotted up. How do you prevent that eyesore from happening?

tessagin

Ditto. Dumb questions are never asked.

stillclock

i pull the treads through on the very first stitch and secure them with a three stitch backstitch. it's a little slower going, but it avoids those squirrel's nests on the back.

i know people tie off and bury their knots, but these quilts are just for us, and i really don't mind the little note to myself that i started and finished here and there.

when the quilt is finished, bound and washed no one ever notices or sees it anyway. or at least i don't!

aileen

meyert

thanks for your response..... I am trying to picture how to "pull the threads through on the very first stitch" do you mean pull up through the top of the quilt? maybe I need to find a video

stillclock

i position the needle where i want to start, hold the needle thread gently, lower the presser foot and then turn the handcrank one full rotation of the take up lever.

then i tug on the needle thread until the little loop pulls through. i stick a pin or unopened scissors in that loop and pull the thread out. like threading the machine you know?

then i sew three or four stitches, backstitch and then sew down five or six stitches and either clip those threads or do it later....

i think it took me 10x longer to describe that than to do it!

aileen

carolaug

there is a class by Ann Peterson on craftsy. I just signed up Continuous line quilting its with using a regular sewing machine.
Continuous Line Quilting




Continuous Line Quilting