Tartan

Do you use your walking foot to quilt the straight sashing lines before doing FMQ in a quilted project? I find if I don't stabilize the straight lines first, they tend to go wonky. Does any one else have this problem or have any hints? I hate getting a project all FMQed only to find it has stretched and I have a ripple edge.

DOTTYMO

I always stabilise before FMQ . I stabilise but if I don't want the line to stay when finished use that washable thread to remove quickly. Hope that makes sense.

QuiltE

Straight sashing lines yes ...

I hope you don't mind me tagging yours, with a further related question .....

When doing a stipple background, do you outline the focal work?
eg. a star (or whatever!) on a plain background where you are FMQ the star and then stipple in the background

Tartan

I do outline before stippling a background. I think Sharon Shcamber outlines twice?

nativetexan

I use fusible batting or basting spray. things stay put that way, so no I don't do straight stitching before FMQing unless I wanted it for some reason.

QuiltE

Thanks Tartan ..... though Twice?? ... how so?
or maybe I should say ... where?

franc36

Yes, I do stitch in the ditch of all blocks before FMQ. Usually, I use the walking foot; but sometimes I FMQ those straight lines. I outline focal work. I think I do this because I enjoy outlining.

Tartan

I believe I saw it on the free butterfly and heart motifs that she showed on The Quilt Show? I think she said it helps define the shape from the background fill.

Buckeye Rose

If each block will have its own pattern of fmq, then each block gets SITD first over complete quilt.....BUT....if it is a panto-like pattern across all blocks, then no SITD.....I use glue for basting, so no worries of shifting or ripples.

ManiacQuilter2

Yes Tartan, I do stitch in the ditch in the sashing just to make sure nothing shifts. I have never been crazy about spraying or any glue substance to get into my sewing machine. With my Avatar, I stitched diagonally and worked my way out from the center. Good Luck !!