Machine Quilting
#24
I only have my sewing machine and do all my quilting on it. Twin size quilt is all I have attempted so far. Ditto to Katier825. My first attempts were horrible. I saved them and do pull them out once in awhile to see how bad I was. Practicing on muslin sandwiches shows your progress very clearly. Draw a design and practice FMQ. Tracing paper on a roll is my best friend. Good Luck, keep at it. Make it fun.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,148
The Amish say that nothing is perfect but God so you quilt does not have to be perfect. Try to do the best job that you can since who ever you make the quilt for will appreciate your effort and not look for perfect. "practice makes progress" (not perfection). If you are using free motion practice using pencil and paper to practice so that you brain will remember the motions. Also in my area you can rent the use of a long arm for $10-18 per hour after taking a learning class that is about $40. Sounds like a deal to me and I will try it this winter when I have to stay in (Brrrrrr),
#26
At a recent FMQ class at my LQS, we machine quilted the middle section of our quilt minus the borders. The borders were then attached and quilted. I thought this was a great method to reduce bulk when quilting a large quilt.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 547
Originally Posted by Prism99
Originally Posted by CompulsiveQuilter
I'm determined to FMQ my first -on my domestic machine. I have an awesome, large template and the Ultimate Pounce (disappears with a steam iron). The template is a glorified meander. ------ but some say start in the middle and some say otherwise. What's the best way? And is an all-over quilting pattern easier/better than stopping and doing something different on the borders? 4" border - what pattern would you use there?
When machine quilting, it's extra work to bury threads if you start and stop in the middle. It's enough if you start at one edge and work toward another edge. That way, if you run out of bobbin thread, you have only one thread per bobbin to bury. Starting in a corner sounds good. You could also start at the middle of an edge and work toward the other edge. The biggest thing to avoid is quilting the border first; you could have extra material trapped in the center that will not "quilt out".
I did quilt with my Singer, until I got a longarm. All quilting, regardless of the machine used, needs to be stabilized in some manner. There are just so many things this process helps to avoid (waving borders, pleats, D-Cups, tucks, shifting blocks, wonkiness, etc.). So, stabilize it well, and you can begin and end anywhere since you only take out the area you are immediately quilting in.
(With the longarm, your frame stabilizes for the majority of your quilt, but you still may need pins, etc. depending upon how flat the quilt is and what your quilting plan is.)
Just my thoughts - hope it helps :)
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lorain,oh
Posts: 642
go out and buy a CHEATER'S PANEL batt& back it. PRACTICE on this. usually, they're a baby/ snuggle size. You will not have wasted a quilt top you spent many hrs on! The end pc could be donated to cancer patients, homeless shelter, womens shelter, ect.. Just a win, win idea. good luck!
#29
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 194
Originally Posted by SuziC
From looking at the many gorgeous quilts pictured, i wondered about the actual quilting techniques. I know there are hand quilters and machine quilters but i wanted to ask if there are many who still machine quilt with just an average sewing machine? I have seen the long arm quilt machines and will probably never own one nor will i get the expensive computerized ones that quilt for you. I like working one on one with my plain sewing machine to creat the stitching. What are your thoughts on this?
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 1,911
I'm just learning to do that. It works best if your quilt is not too large . . . around lap sized is a good size (or smaller). I like using the Supreme Slider which just sticks down to your sewing machine bed (with friction, not adhesive). It's a teflon produce and it reduces the drag. And find some gloves you like. People like Machingers. I've ordered a pair, but they haven't come yet. I HATED my Fons & Porter gloves. My clipped threads clung to them like scotch tape.
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