There are good machine quilters and there are bad machine quilters...
11-29-2010, 07:56 PM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: La Pine Oregon, USA
Posts: 5,907
Do what I did -- go to the thrift stores and buy old sheets. Get some somewhat cheap batting....sandwich then, etc. Then DRAW with felt pen, the design you want your quilt top to be (triangles, blocks, etc)...add borders if you're going to do borders. Then practice on that. If you're doing meandering, then just meander....but it's a LOT cheaper than practicing on something you've paid big $$ for fabric and put a lotta heart into.
11-29-2010, 08:07 PM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,991
As I hate to waste any fabric, I'd suggest buying two single bed sheets and sandwich them with a lightweight batting and quilt that. Get a plain and an easy to follow pattern (ie large floral). Machine quilt it on the floral side and then you can easily check your stitches on the plain side. By following the outline of the sheet design, you don't even have to mark it. When you're done practicing, you'll still have a lightweight quilt that is useable if not beautiful!
11-29-2010, 08:12 PM
#5
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Yulee Florida
Posts: 1,011
I learned by quilting on uphoolstery fabrcs wiht no batting it is thick enough with out the batting. ask at any of your upholstery shops they may be happy and let you have major boxes of scraps. I got 12 moving boxes full of that stuff. I even made a couple of quilts out of it.
11-29-2010, 08:48 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lebanon, Oregon
Posts: 1,409
Do whatever you like to do! Hand quilting really is an art! I'm hearing a lot of quilters say they like being able to take it slow and easy!
We all progress at our own speed! If you really want to do machine quilting, there are some great tutorial videos for FMQ on www.youtube.com.
In any case, don't pressure yourself especially if you find it distasteful!
We all progress at our own speed! If you really want to do machine quilting, there are some great tutorial videos for FMQ on www.youtube.com.
In any case, don't pressure yourself especially if you find it distasteful!
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