i've never been able to get the hang of meandering. i avoid it at all costs
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i've never been able to get the hang of meandering. i avoid it at all costs
Nancy in western NY
before you speak THINK
T – is it True? H – is it Helpful? I – is it Inspiring? N – is it Necessary? K – is it Kind?
Meandering is my fall-back "I don't know what to do on this quilt" pattern. I enjoy it, and find it goes really fast and uses less thread than other designs (that's the larger meandering, as opposed to stippling). The only part that stresses me out is if my thread matches too well, and I have to keep checking closely to make sure I'm not going to cross lines or leave a big gap. If I can see the thread, I can stand up and relax (I have an HQ16 too - love it!).
ICK on meandering. You are not alone. I get myself into corners and all sorts of trouble. For something FAST I will do a vine and leaf. I have a very old HQ16 and love it. She is currently in the shop getting a spa day.
Wish I had a nickel (or even a penny) for every mile I've 'meandered.' I, too, am a meandering fan---first on a domestic machine and now on a Gammill. Have you tried meandering to music? That helped me in the beginning, and now I continue to do it that way---you can get a rhythm going.
I find it so boring that I've actually dozed of a time or two while doing a large area! For a Seuss Christmas quilt I did last year I used WAY too much meandering so finally had to switch up to a curley-Q design for the borders!
Mine is an "old" HQ16, too. My frame is TERRIBLE. The poles droop so badly.
I think part of my problem with meandering (not stippling, shudder!) is that it is too dense. I am not one for heavy quilting. I have seen what I think are beautiful quilts but I think the quilting is too dense and distracts from the quilt.
I finished it in about 30 minutes more but I have three places were I looped over the thread and there is a small wrinkle in the batting right in the middle of it. Sigh....Each one is a learning experience!
I also may have problems with it because it requires me to look at the quilt and I don't like a lot of light and sometimes can't see where I have been quickly enough. I think it is just not for me in large quantities. It had been a year since I had done a quilt with it and hopefully it will be a couple years before I have to do it again!
Thanks for your comments and support.
Mary
Meandering is what I mostly do too. I seem to get into trouble when I try stippling.
If you think it is too dense, don't do it so densely. You can do any design on any scale. If you don't like the lines 1/2" apart, make them 3" apart instead. It doesn't need to be heavy quilting.Originally Posted by MaryLane
You can learn to meander in all sizes. I took a class where we were trying all different sizes including loops the size of juice cans! I also like soft quilting on most quilts. I generally use a meander that has loops about 2" apart. Meets my need for soft result but good for holding things that get a lot of washing. I found I have to look at the spaces not the meander lines.
Pam
Try putting on some music and meander to the beat of the music. It might help make you enjoy it more. I've heard that a glass of wine before quilting helps you relax - never tried it but it might also help. Keep you mind on the precious little baby who will be using your quilt.
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