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My machine, like most of the modern ones, has a bunch of "fancy" stitches. Usually I'd use them to decorate garments or home decor stuff, but do any of you use them to quilt with? The embroidery looking ones (yeah, we'll pretend that's a word) would be great on a crazy quilt, but I haven't tried them.
I know, I can experiment, and will, but thought I'd see how your experiments turned out ;) |
The only decorative stitch that I've used on quilts is the feather stitch that I used on a binding of a "Downey Quilt for Kids". It turned out great. They suggested just a zig-zag stitch on the binding and I thought it looked better than that.
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I've used the fancy stitches on a crazy quilt. I quilted over the seams...not in the ditch. I also used different stitches each with a different color thread to make it fun. This also gave me a chance to see how each stitch looked. You can't free motion with those stitches..or at least I don't think you can. Remember...no rules just play!
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I'm getting a new machine that has a bunch of heirloom stitches on it also. The 1st thing I thought about was a crazy quilt! I thought about embellishing the top with these stitches, but I've never stopped to consider whether or not you could actually quilt with them. I've not actually read up that much on doing a crazy so I'm not sure what the practice was for this. I'm trying to visualize what the back of the quilt would look like. That's a great question!!
Hope someone knows! |
My machine has all kinds of decorative stitches, but I can only quilt with the ones that use a certain foot that has the even-feed feature. I have used the feather stitch and a couple of others.
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I've used a leaf stitch to close a binding...it looked very nice :D
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Originally Posted by MaxineB
I've used the fancy stitches on a crazy quilt. I quilted over the seams...not in the ditch. I also used different stitches each with a different color thread to make it fun. This also gave me a chance to see how each stitch looked. You can't free motion with those stitches..or at least I don't think you can. Remember...no rules just play!
Thanks, I guess I'm formatting another quilt yet in my mind? :lol: |
I use the serpentine stitch and let it meander over the seam lines. I have also used other stitches for the quilting. I like to widen and elongate the stitches, if they are too small they want to sink in and the design can start to disappear. Really intricate stitches don't work as well as more open ones. I use my regular foot when sewing these, as some walking feet cannot be used in reverse, and some of these stitches sew forward and backward. I just go slow and easy and have not had any problem with using a regular foot.
Make up a small quilt sandwich and practice with different stitches, varying their widths and lengths. Use a permanent pen to mark the settings next to them for future reference :D:D:D |
I usually put a decorative stitch on the binding. On the memory tee shirt quilt, I did a heart decorative stitch on the seams. I don't have a embroidery machine though.
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Using your decorative stitches for quilting is the basis for the "Crazy Shortcuts" quilt as you go method. The author has a tutorial on you tube.
I took a class on that this last week. It was fun and easy to do. If you can get the book (library?)you don't really need the class. I use some of the fancy stitches for my binding on charity quilts for kids. Faster and stronger than hand stitching I think. |
Great question Mbunny. Glad you asked it. Now my mind is whirling with possibilities.
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It's so funny you asked that. I just did a little playing around with some of my "fancy stitches". I also LOVE multi-colored thread, though it is pricey. But when you use it on contrasting colors, and use the decorative stitch, I think it looks cool.
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I think this is very attractive, these kind of stitches would be great worked into a childs quilt somehow, so nice and colourful!
Gal |
Originally Posted by sewcrafty
Originally Posted by MaxineB
I've used the fancy stitches on a crazy quilt. I quilted over the seams...not in the ditch. I also used different stitches each with a different color thread to make it fun. This also gave me a chance to see how each stitch looked. You can't free motion with those stitches..or at least I don't think you can. Remember...no rules just play!
I used a regular foot-didn't have a walking foot at the time. I made the quilt sandwich and quilted threw all 3 layers. The batting was low loft, but I don't remember the brand. Before I did this, I made a small quilt sandwich with the top a small crazy quilt square. I played with that & then went to the real quilt! The backing was a multi colored print so the back stitches didn't show. The whole quilt was from scraps. I'll see if I can find a picture to post. |
kasmitty-
Love your sample. What kind of thread is that? Thanks in advance! |
I have a christmas crazy quilt that I planning on quilting with my decorative stitches. It's on the top of quilts to finish!
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I have sewn down binding using a fancy stitch.
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Originally Posted by lots2do
kasmitty-
Love your sample. What kind of thread is that? Thanks in advance! |
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Oh, that's adorable! Nice job!!
I wouldn't consider blanket stitch a fancy stitch, but did use it to quilt and outline the package/bow at the same time. Used bright colored variegated thread and walking foot. The Happy Birthday card is not quilted down, only tacked in place so it has a little dimension to it. |
I have used them on many quilts. The key is to not use those that are too dense.
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Kasmitty your stitching looks fabulous! Don't you just love Superior thread? Thanks to you, now I will go raid DH's LA thread. LOL
I do have a stupid question: When using decorative stitching on your machines, how do you lock the stitches in at the end? I have a Bernina but have never used any of these decorative stitches. If I can learn how to lock in the stitches, that will sure change thanks to this topic! |
Originally Posted by Gramof6
Kasmitty your stitching looks fabulous! Don't you just love Superior thread? Thanks to you, now I will go raid DH's LA thread. LOL
I do have a stupid question: When using decorative stitching on your machines, how do you lock the stitches in at the end? I have a Bernina but have never used any of these decorative stitches. If I can learn how to lock in the stitches, that will sure change thanks to this topic! |
Kasmitty- thanks!
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Thanks Kasmitty. Maybe someone will jump in here with an answer. Until then I will do as you did.
KR I love the Birthday Card. Very nice! |
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I've done exactly this for a number of my quilts - rather than use 'stitch in the ditch' or free motion quilting, use the decorative stitches.
I use the walking foot so the layers feed evenly. My Janome has a locking stitch (or you can take a couple of stitches with zero stitch length). The photo here shows a bit of the stitching on a wall quilt (a monochrome quilt for guild challenge) Cheers, Linda Cinammon Sticks [ATTACH=CONFIG]29258[/ATTACH] |
Thank You Linda. I love your wall hanging. The stitching looks so nice!
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I'll second that Linda. Your wall quilt is gorgeous. I love the fabrics you chose and the stitching really serves two purposes: it quilts it, and beautifully embellishes it as well. :-)
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Thanks JanetM & Gramof6 :)
Something that I did from a recommendation of our local sewing machine vendor - a 'stitch map' - make up a little quilt sandwich and do a sample line of every stitch that your machine will do. It's amazing how different the stitches look with the thread vs the little icon on the book ... I have it close by so I know exactly which stitch I want. Sounds a bit silly, but it really works well for me :) Changing the stitch lengths/widths and even thread types (or needles!) can also make a huge difference in the look of your stitches. |
That is stunning!
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Originally Posted by LindaM
Thanks JanetM & Gramof6 :)
Something that I did from a recommendation of our local sewing machine vendor - a 'stitch map' - make up a little quilt sandwich and do a sample line of every stitch that your machine will do. It's amazing how different the stitches look with the thread vs the little icon on the book ... I have it close by so I know exactly which stitch I want. Sounds a bit silly, but it really works well for me :) This is a great idea. Not all decorative stitches will look good on a project. I think we forget the purpose of quilting. It is to permanently hold the three pieces together. How this is done is limited only by our imagination. Changing the stitch lengths/widths and even thread types (or needles!) can also make a huge difference in the look of your stitches. |
I MADE MY DAUGHTER A JUNGLE PRINT CRAZY QUILT AS YOU GO QUILT AND USED THE FANCY STITCHES ON MY MACHINE. I USED METALLIC THREAD AND IT TURNED OUT WONDERFUL. EACH BLOCK HAD ABOUT 7 DIFFERENT STITCHES. IT WAS A GREAT WAY TO LEARN THE STITCHES AND WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE WHEN YOU INCREASED THE WIDTH AND LENGTH.
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I agree with all that's been said. My machine dealer likes to remind us frequently that 'you paid for all those stitches, its a good idea to try them and use them.'
I do use them for quilting through all layers. Recently through the top and batting on part of the wall hanging with the more closed and complex stitches and then more simple ones through all layers for the rest to complete the quilting part. I also have sample strips of the decorative stitches - it really inspires you to use them more often and they are so much more appealing than the line drawing you see on the stitch guide. |
Newbie here, but I'm going to add my amateur experience. I have used the decorative stitches for crazy patch baby quilts made of flannel using foundation piecing. Stitched over the seams with varigated thread. The blocks were then joinded, batting, backing, etc. I used the regular foot and anchored the stitches at beginning and end at 0 setting.
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Last year when I got my Janome6600 I was playing around with some little quilts, and I used the decorative stitches on several quilts, and was very pleased with the results, even though they were not "quilt show quality". (I was improvising, and didn't always turn corners well, or have everything even, but the end results are fine if you blur your eyes :-) I'll attach some photos to show the results. I don't have a closeup of the last one, but I used the forget me not stitch around the Irish Chain, and it ends up looking like lace from a distance.
Split rail before decorative stitches-BORING [ATTACH=CONFIG]29844[/ATTACH] Split rail after decorative stitches in red and gold [ATTACH=CONFIG]29845[/ATTACH] forget me nots with spring leaves [ATTACH=CONFIG]29846[/ATTACH] Irish Chain with scrappy roses for Jade Rose [ATTACH=CONFIG]29989[/ATTACH] |
Originally Posted by JoyjoyMarie
Last year when I got my Janome6600 I was playing around with some little quilts, and I used the decorative stitches on several quilts, and was very pleased with the results, even though they were not "quilt show quality". (I was improvising, and didn't always turn corners well, or have everything even, but the end results are fine if you blur your eyes :-) I'll attach some photos to show the results. I don't have a closeup of the last one, but I used the forget me not stitch around the Irish Chain, and it ends up looking like lace from a distance.
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Originally Posted by kasmitty1
It's so funny you asked that. I just did a little playing around with some of my "fancy stitches". I also LOVE multi-colored thread, though it is pricey. But when you use it on contrasting colors, and use the decorative stitch, I think it looks cool.
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has anyone ever quilted using a double needle. on the baby quilt that i'm making right now, i sewed 2 wavy lines down a sashing. unfortunately, they were not as nice as i would like. doesn't the twin needle make a zizzag on the back? (if i had tried a sample, i could answer my own question, but i was wondering if anyone had ever used this technique?
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I have used a little round star-looking stitch for tieing my quilts.
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All my quilts are made with embroidery, not just the fancy stitches, but different themes. I have never made a quilt with just fabric to make the design. I also made a jacket (with a sweatshirt as the base) that was crazy quilt, no theme, just fancy stitches meandering all over. If the batteries in my camera are OK, I'll try and send pictures. All others have been given as gifts
Dotty in NH formally from Largo Fl. |
I'm trying to visualize what the back of the quilt would look like. That's a great question!!
===================================== I love Crazy Quilting, but did find out early that I had to match the color of the bobbin with the quilt backing. With the top colors, I usually stitch in one place at beginning and end of the line, then lift the needle and go to the next line where I wanted that color. When I was finished with that color, I can change the top color, clip off the unwanted strings, then start again. With each color change I can change the stitch width and shape, it almost looks like I had done it by hand over a long time! |
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