Hand embroidery on a quilt. . . Need some guidance please!!!
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
Posts: 6,726
Hand embroidery on a quilt. . . Need some guidance please!!!
Okay, here's the story: About 3 weeks ago, we were in Michigan visiting my other half's family. The aunt, who I thought didn't like me, told me that she had a quilt that her mother had made just prior to her death 2 years ago but it wasn't finished. She asked if I could take a look at it and maybe finish it for her. Trying to gain popularity points, I said "Sure!" Well, she brings out a Queen or King sized Double Wedding Ring that is all hand pieced. Her mother hand basted the top, batting and backing together and also has the binding attached to the front. I told the aunt that I would be more than happy to finish it for her. There are 7 siblings and there were 7 quilts. The other 6 siblings all sent theirs out to be long armed at the cost of over $300 each. Now, money isn't an issue with this aunt; she wouldn't have a problem paying for a longarmer to do it. In fact, she is willing to pay me to do it; I told her would would talk about it later! I feel very honored that she has asked me to do this and I have decided to hand quilt this DWR. I just think it deserves handquilting. I have been practicing on samples and I feel I am ready to go. I got a Q snap floor frame, Gutterman hand quilting thread and some thread conditioner. After looking at the quilt, and again trying to gain popularity points, I decided that I would also hand embroider the mother & father's name and wedding date in the center and then put the siblings names and birthdates in other blocks. I've also practiced my hand embroidery and I am ready to go.
Now here is my question: When I am embroidering the names and dates onto the top, do I just go far enough into the quilt to catch the batting or do I go all the way through and out the back? I know with the hand quilting it shows on the back but I don't know about hand embroidery.
I could really use some advice/direction . . . I am chomping at the bit to get started!
Now here is my question: When I am embroidering the names and dates onto the top, do I just go far enough into the quilt to catch the batting or do I go all the way through and out the back? I know with the hand quilting it shows on the back but I don't know about hand embroidery.
I could really use some advice/direction . . . I am chomping at the bit to get started!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 605
If I were finishing this quilt, I would never embroider on it without consulting the owner. It will cost you a lot of points if she isn't thrilled with any additions to her mother's quilt. Just my thoughts. Good luck with whatever you decide.
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
If you embroider, be very careful that the embroidery thread is colorfast. Test each color first.
Do you have any idea what batting was used? Some battings can be quite difficult to hand quilt. If this is your very first hand quilting project, I am worried that you may find this a much longer, tougher slog than you are anticipating.
Do you have any idea what batting was used? Some battings can be quite difficult to hand quilt. If this is your very first hand quilting project, I am worried that you may find this a much longer, tougher slog than you are anticipating.
Last edited by Prism99; 06-30-2012 at 02:25 PM.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
If you do the embroidery, I don't think you'd want the stitches to show on the back. Usually, embroidery would be done on the blocks before they're assembled. I agree that it shouldn't be done at all without checking with the owner, and also sounding out how much she's willing to pay you before you do any of it. She might be thinking she's going to save money by recruiting you.
Ooh, boy - I hope none of those other siblings are inclined to be jealous that you're doing all this work for only one of them! It will be a labor of love, and she'd better appreciate it.
Ooh, boy - I hope none of those other siblings are inclined to be jealous that you're doing all this work for only one of them! It will be a labor of love, and she'd better appreciate it.
#7
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
Posts: 6,726
If you do the embroidery, I don't think you'd want the stitches to show on the back. Usually, embroidery would be done on the blocks before they're assembled. I agree that it shouldn't be done at all without checking with the owner, and also sounding out how much she's willing to pay you before you do any of it. She might be thinking she's going to save money by recruiting you.
Ooh, boy - I hope none of those other siblings are inclined to be jealous that you're doing all this work for only one of them! It will be a labor of love, and she'd better appreciate it.
Ooh, boy - I hope none of those other siblings are inclined to be jealous that you're doing all this work for only one of them! It will be a labor of love, and she'd better appreciate it.
#8
Since you really don't want the embroidery stitches to show on the back and trying to hide your stitches in the batting will be very difficult, why not put that information on a label and attach it to the back of the quilt? Do make sure you put the name of piecer of the quilt as well as your name as hand quilter on that label!!! Personally, I think you are crazy to hand quilt something that big, but I am still hand quilting a wall-hanging that I started over 3 years ago!!!
#9
Last Christmas I embroidered all the family names on white snowball blocks. As I didn't want my knots, tails and joinings to show through the white material, I buried them in the batting. I was using Hobbs w&n and it wasn't hard to do. Hint: depending on your colors, use as light an embroidery thread as possible. Even matching your background might work as the names would be there, but not change the original look of the quilt. Post a pic, if you ever get it done!
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Dunwoody, GA
Posts: 157
What a wonderful gift you are giving your aunt and I love the idea of embroidering the names/dates on the blocks. I suggest doing the embroidery just on the quilt top, before you sandwich it. As someone else mentioned, it will hide the knots and it will be so much easier to do a nice job with just one layer of fabric. Without all the bulk of a full quilt you'll be more pleased with the results. I do LOTS of embroidered blocks for quilts and always do them first, then complete the top, sandwich and quilt.
Good luck with this fantastic project. We look forward to seeing it.
Good luck with this fantastic project. We look forward to seeing it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
letawellman
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
8
03-10-2016 02:14 PM
sueisallaboutquilts
Main
180
05-20-2011 04:46 AM