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-   -   Quilting: top up or bottom up? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/quilting-top-up-bottom-up-t77375.html)

Brendat0426 11-19-2010 11:33 AM

I'm ready to start quilting my first quilt and i will be doing a different color on each side to match the fabric. Should I quilt with the backside up or the front side up? Also do I need to start in the center and work out or does it matter? Thanks so much!!

Rebecca VLQ 11-19-2010 11:35 AM

When I was doing it on my regular ole sewing machine, I would go from the middle out because it let the "extra" ease out to the free edges.

Now that I have a frame, I normally go from side-to-side of the quilt. On bigger ones or double stuffed, I'll still start in the middle and work my way out.

I like to quilt on the face of the quilt. That way I can kinda watch out for seams. I dunno what the "proper" way to do it is. :P

watterstide 11-19-2010 11:37 AM

interesting question! quilt,face up, from the center out.

amma 11-19-2010 11:41 AM


Originally Posted by watterstide
interesting question! quilt,face up, from the center out.

I agree, and have fun!! :D:D:D

bigsister63 11-19-2010 12:03 PM

Top up and fron center out.

sidmona 11-19-2010 12:03 PM

I usually do top up. Only once did I do bottom up and then it was only on a section I couldn't mark on the front to quilt.

Sadiemae 11-19-2010 12:54 PM

I quilt top up because I want to see where the quilting is on top. I have never put the bottom up.

MadQuilter 11-19-2010 01:07 PM

Are you doing Stitch-in-the-ditch or free motion? If SID, then I start in the middle of the quilt at the edge of a seam line. I have only ever quilted with the top side UP.

When doing FMQ, then I start somewhere close to the center of the quilt - again, with the top side UP.

I can imagine quilting the back side up when the backing fabric has a motiv that is used as the quilting outline.

katier825 11-19-2010 01:19 PM

Either or both! Whatever works best for your project. I made a quilt for my niece that had a piece back with her name and butterflies appliqued. I wanted to quilt around that, so I started with backside up, then flipped it over once that was done. It came out great. It looks great when a back has a large floral and it's quilted around the floral design. Looks nice on the front.

Candace 11-19-2010 04:18 PM

If you're using two different color threads for the top and bottom you may find that you're unhappy with the final product. The tension may need to be constantly adjusted (depending on your machine, quilt etc.) and you may get the other color popping through to both the back and front. It's usually easiest and you'll get the best results using the same color top and bobbin thread.


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