I was wondering if I could do a quilt as you go without the backing and then do a quick stitch in the ditch to secure the back to the quilt. I have read that when you quilt as you go you hand sew the backing pieces together.

I don't have that kind of time to finish a memorial quilt for a friend. I have spent so much time agonizing other this, I want it to be perfect and I am so new and inexperienced, plus when you print out the fabric photos the fabric is so different from regular fabric. If you need to unsew a row of the stitching, the holes never ever close back up like with regular fabric. So, I have to make the photo smaller, which means adding sashing to the block or reprint it.

Y'all always have such wonderful advice, thanks for the help, Maribeth

in theory i don't see why you can't.

i would be careful about the type of batting you use because i'm assuming the batting would be against the feed dogs when you "quilt as you go" and you don't want to rip up the batting.

i think warm and natural or warm and white would be a good choice since it is a dense fiber that could withstand the teeth.

My aunt did a lot of quilts this way. Especially after her cancer diagnoses.
She just couldn't handle the bulk of the big quilt for the special quilting she loved to do. I haven't tried it, but am often tempted.

Klue is right, she always used warm and natural.

I'm just wondering aloud whether the dissolving interfacing like you use in embroidery would be enough to keep the grips on the feed dogs clear of batting. Another approach could be facing the batting up, like in bobbin work. It may or may not work fpr your purposes.

you could use a tear away stabilizer if the batting starts to get chewed up.

Intriguing! :D It sounds like it would work well, I would love to hear more as you are trying this!! I agree with the batting issues, warm and natural would probably be best.

I find "warm and white" even a smidge thinner and easier to handle. Can't you try your proposed method on a small piece to try? It shouldn't take a lot of time but give you peace of mind.

Why couldn't she use muslin on the back side of the batting? I am still really new to quilting as well so that is one reason for the question.

i think the reason for not using muslin on the back is because then she'll be right back to the original idea of quilt as you go which she what she's trying to avoid.

she doesn't want to hand stitch any fabric on the back.

Thank you for your ideas, I never even thought about the batting jamming up. I told her today I just couldn't make it by the first anniversary. I need this to be well-done and I just need more time. I really really shouldn't have offered to make a quilt with my limited knowledge, but I made a few picture pillows and they were so easy, each one done in an afternoon. I had no idea a 4 x 6 quilt w/12 photos would be so overwhelming, all the tearing and re-sewing. I just wanted to bring her a little happiness, but it has to be done right. Now I am repeating myself. I told her I would bring in the blocks for her to look at tomorrow and then she is off until after the anniversary. My heart breaks for her - to have her two-year-old granddaughter drown in a neighbor's fish pond. I just want to offer some comfort. I really let her down, she has asked a few times and I feel like such a failure as a friend. I need to try and have this done for when she gets back.

Thanks again for the ideas, Maribeth

OK - U R done now beating yourself up That's an order.

You have been there for your friend during her tragedy and you offered to make a quilt. So it's taking a little longer. I'm sure all will be forgiven when she gets the quilt. She won't tell her other friends later that you didn't have it done on time. She will hug it and appreciate it and the fact that you came through.

don't be so hard on yourself - all quilting is beautiful quilting!!!

when people ask us to make quilts for them they are not looking for perfection.

they want an item that has been handcrafted and imperfections are part of the process and actually add character and beauty to a quilt.

don't feel like your work is less than because its not - it is your artistic express and thats what makes it special.

oh, how sad for your friend

about perfection - it usually doesn't happen - do the best you can with what you know now - and that is as good as it's going to be right now

how big is this quilt going to be? if it won't be overly large, it might be simpler to just piece it and then layer it in the usual way and do stitch in the ditch quilting or tying it.

i've seen some very lovely, useful, comforting quilts that were tied

sometimes simple and done is much better than fancy and not done (says she who has many WIPS in the basement)

I am sure your friend will understand more about this after she's what you put into it. That was a terrible thing to happen to her and her family but I believe she will love the quilt when she sees it.

I know in my heart she will love it, that's why it has become so important to me. I just have to let it go and accept the imperfections. I will square up the 12 blocks and add the sashes and borders this weekend. If I can figure out how to upload, I will be able to finally post. I found the charger for my camera that has been missing since October. Then the stitch in the ditch next week. I have never quilted anything larger than a 24" square, so I will just take it slow and hope for the best. I appreciate all your advice, thank you.

I agree with what everybody has said, but I love this, bearisgray, where you said, "about perfection - it usually doesn't happen - do the best you can with what you know now - and that is as good as it's going to be right now."
That's a realistic attitude, and should help you calm down, so you can do a better job. She will love it, no matter what. Only time is gonna help her feel a little bit better. Nothing is going to take away this pain, so don't be so hard on yourself. These things are too big, for one person to feel so responsible.

Mary Beth we have all bitten off more than we can chew many times and you are so concerned for your friend that it is painful for you. She will appreciate your quilt if she gets it tomorrow or two years from now. It will be a comfort for her to know that her little one is being remembered. She may even appreciated it more after the first year anniversary when her pain will be so raw. You are a good person the think to do this for your friend and all of your frustration is multiplied because of the situation. You and her family will be in my prayers, none of us can think of anything more tragic.

I use scraps of batting for my Fun and Done. The warm and natural was the best. But the 80/20 worked ok, just steam iron so it shrinks. I used my zipper foot to connect the blocks ,as someone on the board suggested, and it worked really well.
The fun and done brings the backing to the front so you would want a fabric that matchs the block.