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I did a king size, it was a lap throw that morphed, on my domestic Singer. I used lots of roll holders, we moved the machine away from the wall and then slow and steady went the process. Not on the floor? Don't see how that is possible, but you can try. It can be done, but I don't do king size anymore unless it is a QAYG. Don't let the quilt see the fear in your eyes and you'll have it made.
BettyGee, quilter on a Rocky Mountain High
Playing devils advocate here but are you sure you want to make a king size quilt? Will they really use it on their bed? Usually a t-shirt quilt is geared toward one person, so a lap/snuggle/over the back of the couch size may make more sense in the long run. Could you somehow make those blocks smaller, not sure as much blank t0shirt space, trim more to the design? Just a thought, unless you are determined to go king.
Better to do something imperfectly, than nothing perfectly.
Done is better than perfect.
I lay them out in sections, dividing the quilt in half or thirds as needed. I mark each block with row and block number - A1, A2, etc. I like to sew the sections together, then connect the sections. It's easier for me to work with smaller subunits of the quilt, then join them to complete the top. I suppose you could do it row by row if that's your preference.
My thoughts are - are some of the T-shirts your sister's & some belong to her husband? If so, how about making 2 lap size quilts - 1 for her & 1 for him? Traditionally T-shirt quilts are heavy and I don't think they will be able to handle a king size quilt. I also agree that maybe you could cut the T-shirts smaller. Just some suggestions for you to think about.
My friend does king quilts and this is what she does: She puts together a row and quilts it (using her embroidery machine). Then she adds the next row and quilts that. Then the next. That way you are only working on one row at a time and the bulk is to your left not under the machine. She has done 4 quilts this way.
otherwise, doing it in quarters may be the easiest.
Last edited by Cherylsea; 06-22-2015 at 10:56 AM. Reason: additon
Cherylsea
Cherylsea, may I clarify something with you? Not to be difficult here (I am coming from a computer geek background), but are you describing rows that are horizontal or columns that are vertical? If you are describing vertical columns, it seems like a brilliant suggestion, and I thank you for it.Originally Posted by Cherylsea
For the big t-shirt quilt, I would suggest quilting each block by itself, all three layers. Then join rows and columns with thin sashing strips. There are plenty of tutorials on the internet.
I've done this on a previous tee shirt quilt and it worked. I'm debating between that technique here or finishing the top as once piece then hiring out a longarmer.
Being a computer guy by day, I hit on a solution for the problem of having no space big enough to lay out the whole top.
I've got a setup for photographing the squares as I finish them, and I'm loading them into an image editor as layers to lay them out digitally. Like so:
My hands don't like most of the QAYG methods. However, I do have some really friendly LQS's and once a top was finished I called and made an appointment to use their large class tables to layout my sandwich and baste. [Before I had my HQ, of course.] Then I just rolled it all up and used my DSM.
With using my DSM I had a small table or ironing board behind my sewing cabinet and a small adjustable table to my left. This gave me ample room to just do FMQ or whatever.
Have fun quilting! If it isn't fun, you will miss a lot.
ali
You can always try using your library. Sometimes they will let you go in to put a couple of tables together and you can lay it out and spray baste together or pin together.
I would make them each a lap size cover. How will they wash and dry it. Not as many laundry mats around here as use to be. I hate laundry mats.
Another Phyllis
This life is the only one you get - enjoy it before you lose it.
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