Carol in WI

This quilt top has me stalled out. Original plan was to make a queen size, but then I decided to make one twin size and the other full size to fit beds in the grandchildren's guest room. After getting this one all sewn together I thought it would be a great opportunity to practice my FMQ (which I have never done more than a few practice blocks). I've now broken it down into 3 units so I can quilt it in sections on my domestic machine. But what to do? The pattern is so very busy and my FMQ talents are limited. Do you think I should try to outline the stars and just fill in with meandering. What I have done so far doesn't seem to set off the stars at all and it is "puttsy" to try and quilt all the little spaces around them; my stitch consistency has much to be desired, but it is just practicing and the GC certainly won't be critiquing it. I'm almost ready to go back to straight, diagonal stitches, but that doesn't help me to learn FMQ or perfect any technique. Any advice is appreciated - would darker bobbin thread help?

feline fanatic

I wouldn't change a thing! First of all you have done a great job in selecting fabrics with good contrast. The stars pop just fine and don't need quilting to enhance them other than what you have shown (the simple echo inside the star and the meander right up to the seam line). The only thing I can think of that might emphasize the stars more is to SITD around them. IMHO the effort taken to do so would not result in a payout significant enough to bother.

Do not switch to a dark bobbin thread. Every wobble and mistake will scream like a beacon at you.

Keep going with what you are doing. You are 2nd guessing what are obviously great quilting instincts.

tallchick

I agree with feline! I think most quilts need just simple quilting to allow the pattern and piecing to shine. We really just need to quilt it to hold the layers together. Beautiful top, keep up the good work!

Sephie

You're doing great! I like what you have so far and would really encourage you to keep going. It gets better the more you do it, and everyone has to start somewhere. After it's washed, you'll just see the beautiful texture with your wonderful piecing. I love how your quilt top looks.

Since you asked for ideas, I drew these out really quickly for it. Way faster to do by hand than on the computer! You could obviously repeat these designs in the colored parts or mix and match them depending on how you're feeling. I love continuous line designs so that I don't have to break thread, and you could easily travel in the ditch to get to the next star and into the center of the star.
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1) really simple, straight dot to dot quilting, just echoing the shape of the diamonds
2) still dot to dot but with an arc instead of straight for a different look (one of my diamonds, I arc'd too much so just a nice gentle curve would do well here, I think!)
3) simple curl inside the diamond for a curvy radiant design
4) fern leaf shape? You can draw the stem up the center of the diamond and then do some skinny wavy leaves which is nice since they're intended to be irregularly wavy, and travel along the stem as needed to get back to the center
5) 3 layered oval/leaf-ish shapes. I did the bottom two first then traveled up the center to angle the last point into the point of the diamond

I think any of these would fit inside the echo stitching you've already done if you're feeling brave enough to try. We're all learning together

Sephie

I was thinking you had already done all the meandering but in re-reading, you haven't! So, instead of having to travel in the ditch to get between stars, you can simply meander on over to the next one Easy! Can't wait to see it when you're done.

NJ Quilter

So glad you asked this question of this particular quilt! I'm just delving into machine quilting myself because I have a 2 color hunter's star that I need to get done quickly. I'm working on another now to try to hone the skill of simple straight line quilting so I can (hopefully) move onto the hunter's star next.

And Sephie - your suggestion #1 is exactly what I'm planning to do for mine in opposing thread colors. That you for the visual!

Watson

I think you're doing a fine job with your meander.

Do you have speed control on your machine? I find one of the best tips for FMQ and getting good curves is to find the right combination of speed of hands and foot control and then set the speed control on your machine to that speed and press the foot control all the way down while moving your hands at the desired speed.

Watson

Sephie

Another thought, but one that doesn't have anything to do with the quilting design: do you have Machingers gloves? I've tried other cheaper solutions (garden gloves, etc) in the past but I was able to find Machingers pretty cheaply on Amazon before and I will never go back. They fit snugly and grip really well and I absolutely love them. Your LQS will likely carry them too if you want to just go pick up a pair.

If you're finding it difficult to move the quilt through your machine and you don't have the machine inset into a table, I used to use books or small boxes placed around my sewing machine to make a faux extension for my machine until I made a foam insulation topper for my table. Books/boxes are easily moved when you're done, and having a level surface will significantly reduce drag which makes for much easier FMQ. As Watson said, finding the right combination of speed between hands and foot control is important. I actually find it much easier to make smoother curves when my foot is stitching faster!

joe'smom

Carol, your quilt is beautiful! I do think you have a good plan there; I can't think of anything that would be less puttsy than the meander.

suern3

I agree with Feline, also, and Sephie's suggestions for machingers and supporting the weight of the quilt. Super helpful. Your pictures show a good start, I think. At some point, to feel comfortable with FMQ, you just have bite the bullet and keep going. I am sure that by the time you finish, you will like it much more. Another thing I have to keep in mind myself, is that when it is done and you are not sitting with your nose within inches of the stitching, it will look better. You have the perfect project to work on your skills. Hang in there!