I'm just new to quilting and have been looking in many books. Can machine quilting patterns also be used for hand-piecing quilts as well. I've only done a hand pieced sampler quilt as my first quilting experience so I have many questions about the quilting process. Thank you.

Patty

I can't think of any reason you couldn't use any quilting pattern out there when hand-stitching.

For me, consideration of patterns works the other way 'round. The sewing machines in my price range have such small areas to work in, machine quilting any intricate pattern, or anything larger than a crib quilt is a nightmare. The only way I can do it and come out with a finished quilt I can be proud of is to use one of the various "quilt-as-you-construct" methods.

Hi Patty, I've used machine patterns for hand piecing and had no problems. I agree with PatriceJ that for machine quilting the "quilt-as-you-construct" methods are great.

Would you explain "quilt-as-you-construct"??

Hi Sibble, "Quilt-as-you-go" is a great way to construct and quilt 1 block or section of a quilt before you move on the next block or section. Here are some quilt sites that explain how to do it:

http://www.acornhillquilts.com/asyougo.htm

http://www.secretsof.com/content/194

http://www.quiltindex.com/ATQF/QandA_Single.aspx?QAID=58

If my blocks are going to be separated by sashing, anyway, I avoid having to hand stitch anything by attaching the backing of the blocks to each other. After trimming the batting to lay flat, I sew the sashing onto the front using one of the 8 gazillion methods available. With narrow sashing ... say an inch or so ... there's nothing else to do. If the sashing is wider than 1.5 inches, I do a bit of quilting down the middle to make sure the batting stays flat.

Because I can be a bit of a clutz, I sometimes use an ultra-light weight double-sided fusing material to secure the sashing to the blocks, then topstitch down each side. That way I know the sashes will be properly centered and straight.

Any pattern can be used for hand sewing as well as machine. You just have to pay attention to seam allowance on both. As all the patterns are geared for 1/4" seams. There is some wonderful 1/4" tape out there that I used for the times I have pieced blocks by hand. Its wonderful and makes things so much easier to sew a straight line. I have trouble making straight lines even on sewing machine, you can imagine what my seams looked like by hand and nothing to guide me, yup you guessed it. So this stuff is wonderful and you can use a piece over and over again. It looks like masking tape, you will find it in any fabric store. But if you can't afford the tape, mark your seams by hand as you would for any piecing. Hope this helps.

Rita

You can also take ANY pattern even from coloring books etc. and trace it onto paper and punch holes around pattern with the sewing machine without thread and a very large needle and then lay it on your quilt and take a sponge paint brush and pounce powder or cornstarch or baby powder and (use very little of it) and spread it onto your quilt as you finish one do it again and again until your quilt is hand quilted. Works very well. :lol: