mombeth07

You quilting pros make it look so easy. I look and read the message board everyday. You have some beautiful quilts in the making and quilts that have been already made. I am trying, but I do not have the stipple machine for what makes them really look beautiful. I have recently watched on videos to free hand but I am not good at free hand. To me thats what make these quilt gorgeous.

ddlbug

Make 12 X 12 pieces from your scraps Make the 3 layers and practice, practice, practice! You will be surprised at how fast you catch on to the knack for stippling. It is so much fun.

Bluphrog

I found out that the only way to learn to stipple is to stipple. But if you don't want to work with fabric and batting, try stippling using paper and pencil. Stippling is making a continuous line, so start at one corner and cover your paper. What you are doing is developing muscle memory in your hands which will transfer to fabric when you sit down at your machine.

When you get ready to try on fabric, start out with 9" or 10" square fabric sandwiches. This is a manageable size which is easy to move. If you use Insulbrite batting, you will have potholders / hot pads once you add a binding. Start out making large stipples and concentrate on making your stitches a consistent length. Remember, since you drop the feed dogs, there is nothing holding the fabric, so you can go forward, backward and side-to-side. The more you do, the better you will become.

Please don't compare your work to that of anyone else on the board. We are all learning every day. There is always a new techniques or new skill to try.

gal288

I so agree with both of the above.

When I teach free motion quilting, everyone is amazed that at the end of 3 hrs, they are so much more confident at the process.

It is only a matter of practice, & practice makes perfect!

chairjogger

Thanks for adding this post. I have this fun quilt idea. Have been trying to choose, what already made quilt I add this idea to the back.. since the quilting is already done.. but, I am having a hard time choosing which quilt to make a "double" faced quilt.

So, I must learn freestyle and ... not on this quilt idea.. So, practice huh.. Just like the piano I guess.

Great help on the answers too.

Kat Sews

You mentioned a stipple machine. What is that.

Sadiemae

I have never heard of one...

mombeth07

Well maybe its not a stipple machine but they look perfect, not sure, I am new at all this.
Thanks

mombeth07

Not sure how they get the stippling so perfect.

Kat Sews

To do stippling I use my regular sewing machine. Drop or cover feed dogs (depending on which machine I am using) and put on a darning foot, set stitch lenght to 0, release presure on foot. Then after a small warm-up piece, begin sewing on the quilt. You can watch some good vidieos on you tube. Try Daystyle designs with Leah Day, she is quite good. I started by making shopping bags until I got more comfortable with the free motion and have worked my way up from there. Relax and have fun with it. You'll get there too.