preparing to quilt my first quilt
 

I'm enjoying reading the posts on this forum. I got a wild hair and decided to learn to quilt after not touching a sewing machine for about a decade. So, I have my top done, made my sandwich and have hand basted all over, so I think the actual quilting is my next step. Should I be using my "regular" stitch length that I have used for all of the piecing? Any sewing machine adjustments that need to be considered? I have a Pfaff 7720 that I just inherited. I'm excited for the next step, but really don't want to mess this part up after all the work I've put into it so far. It's just a 45" square, and I plan to do 2" diagonal lines - then if I'm feeling good about it, will go on the opposite diagonal. Any advice for a first timer is very welcome!

I would suggest you practice on a quilt sandwich first. That way if you have any issues you will know before you start on your quilt.

Welcome from Minnesota and happy quilting :)
be sure to post a pic when you've finished your quilt. we love pics!

Well, got it half way done and had to put it down. I get in "driven" mode and have a hard time stopping, but I still have to work for a living, darn it. I did practice as suggested, but impossible to understand until you actually do it how much bulk there is. I ran into a problem with having the feed dog get kind of jammed up because I couldn't get all the fabric through smoothly. I moved the whole shebang to the dining room table, and figured out how to best keep things moving. So, my first line, not so great, second - a little better but now I think I've got it under control. I'm using 2" painters tape to mark my lines and that is working great! I should be able to finish the quilting tonight, and then it is on to the binding. I saw a glue method on youtube that I think I will try. This is very exciting!

Your Pfaff should have a quilting guide, it is a small bar that attaches above the foot and you set it to the width you want the diagonal lines to be apart. Use the walking foot when quilting, it is built in and snaps up and down. A regular stitch should be fine. I always sew a test strip before I start. Use the same fabric if possible along with batting for a test. Enjoy it.

Good for you! Can't wait to see your finished quilt when you're all done. Each quilt adds to your collection of skills learned and perfected.

I use the painter's tape to mark too. Welcome and have fun quilting.

I'll have to look for that. It's probably in the box that I can't find that I am sure is full of extra bobbins

Not sure if you are using a walking foot, but that will help move the quilt sandwich through much easier. I've found that I do need to increase my stitch length slightly for the quilting process...if I don't, then the stitching lines look tight and strained. As someone has already suggested, it is best to experiment on a practice sandwich so that you can determine which stitch length will give you the look you are going for. As you stitch each sample line, use a Sharpie marker or a pen to label what the stitch length is so that you can use it as a reference later on. Congrats on making your first quilt and welcome to the board!