Should I use this for my first attempt at all over FMQ?
 

I have stuck mainly with straight line quilting, and I know I could do that pretty easily with this top. Since I used all fabrics from my stash (except the sashing) and it was quick, I would not be upset over even major mistakes.

My biggest concern is that I quilt on my kitchen table so my machine is not flush with the surface of the table. I do not know if I could tackle this kind of project with my current set up.

Do any of you quilt without a flush mount set up?

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I love your quilt, and to answer your question, I quilted a very large lap quilt with my 301 on my dining room table. I have since found a cabinet I could jerry rig for her. I did use a yard of plastic with a hole cut for the needle and, don't laugh, several stacked hard cover books under it to make a larger area level with the machine - in the front and on the left.

I'm not laughing. I'm thinking about trying it.

Thank you!

Hmm that's a good idea.Maybe I can get a few pieces of wood and cut a hole for the machine,stack em up and put something slippery on it. If only I had a jig saw :)

Edit: BTW, those greens are not that bright. I tried to fix the colors on the picture but the lighting in the room killed it.

It will be easier if you have the machine flush with the table surface. There is a method to get thick styro-foam and make an extenson to go around your machine. You put plastic sheeting over the styro-foam to make the surface slick. The instructions are on the internet somewhere.

Not sure how big your top is, but I have done SID without a flush mount on a 48x60. Simple blocks like yours. Also have done straight lines on one that size. Just my machine on a table. I do use a walking foot. It did take quite a bit of upper arm strength.

Sure you can. Even if you make a mistake you will not see it when it is finished. If you can do straight lines you can do this great quilt. I know it is the jumping in sometimes that slows us up so here is a gentle push in the back to just do it. We all know here, it will be fantasitc.

First, that is a lovely quilt top. You can do straight stitch quilting, but as others have said, it is physically hard work with lots of starting and stopping. One thing you could do is purchase a half sheet of composite topped with Melamine, a white plastic like formica. Cut a hole for your machine. Put blocks (books, or whatever) under it to bring it level with the machine's work surface. You will have a solid surface that can be stored behind a dresser or some such when not in use. A friend's hubby bought an old, oak desk and cut a hole in that for the work surface, but I gather you have a space issue as well.

The top is 52 by 68.

Straight lines I can do, have wrestled most of my quilts through my machine ... there is just some major fear here with FMQ but I love the look.... so thanks for the push:)

Holice: I will look for some instructions :) styro-foam may be easier than wood and I wont need that jig saw! hehe

QM: Space is only an issue if I was getting a whole different table, but a surface like the one you suggest would work. I do have a few places I could stash it away.

Thank you all...this place is so awesome. I feel encouraged to look into the solutions suggested, I want to break away from the straight linnneeess... especially now that I rigged up the FMQ foot.

It's a lot easier if you have a flat surface to work on. Here are links to Youtube videos that show how to create a styrofoam surround for your sewing machine. My dh made one for me, and it works great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14go...ure=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25...ure=plpp_video

I do fmq on my singer 5050 on my dining room table and I don't know if I could get used to anything else. My largest Fmq quilt was 60x80. You can do it ! Have fun . I love your quilt. It looks really cool.

I use a Bernina 1530 to FMQ and my machine is on top of my table. I bought a plexiglass extension table that helps a lot.

This is what I ended up doing. My quilting machine has no room for the quilt on the left side of the needle. My other machine does have enough room to "fake it 'til you make it" and I didn't have to use anything on the left of it.

The great thing about this is that it has other uses when I'm not using it to quilt. I've put the lamp on it and given me a few extra inches when I'm at the cutting table. I've used it as a tray. Seems like there's more, but it's too early in the morning to remember now! It only cost about $5 to make, and I've covered it with pretty Contact paper and just love it!

And your quilt is beautiful and I hope you decide to FMQ it.

I am not laughing. That is what I call thinking out of the box.

Check out El's table top idea here: http://www.quiltinaday.com/freepattern/

Also there is an idea for making a foam board 'table' that works well. I don't have the link right handy, but I think if you google a foam sewing machine table you may find it easy.

I think you should try your FMQ as I believe curvy lines will look very nice with this quilt since it has so many straight edges to it. ENJOY!

I like your quilt - beautiful colors! Would love to see the finished project!

I have quilted lots of quilts with machine not flush with the table. It is very doable, just do it. Now I have a plexiglass table for my machine. Quilt gets hung up on the curved ends, always need to make sure the quilt can move smoothly. If you want to quilt you will be able to do it. Determination to quilt will make it doable.

No advice for you, but love the quilt! It's beautiful!

I quilt queen size quilts on my table with no problem. My machine is not flush. .

While I cannot help you with any advice I am complimenting you on your beautiful quilt.

A good solution, Irish Rose! I, quilt on my 401A on my dining room table. It's not easy, but it works.

Have you ever thought of making a test strip of say 18" x 12" wide first to see how it goes.

This youtube tut is super great.....gave me some really great ideas......how to build your own
super large....super flat quilting table......I love it when one of us gets a 'light-bulb moment"

I think the greens are bright and beautiful with black. Can't answer your free motion question.

"Two things" - Purchase a "personal table" at Office Max-they are a little larger than the TV tray tables. Ht. is adjustable and great for your sewing machine. (I have three of them for all three of my machines.) Next: Go to Home Depot and get an 18 x 24 piece of 1/4" clear acrylic. (Cost is about $20.00) Have a friend cut an opening in the acrylic and attach dowels for legs. Works perfect for giving you a great flush sewing table. Again, I made one for each of my own machines. (I'm 70 years old and did this by myself so if I can do it, anyone can do it.) Wouldn't sew without them and what's better yet, it all fits in my suitcase for travel to workshops and quilt groups. Good luck!! You'll wish you had done this ages ago. I've used mine to FMQ six large quilts, up to 115 x 115 so they do work well. I speak from experience!!

I would very strongly recommend you do a search on youtube and watch as many as you can. There are probably a hundred different pattern possibilities out there from simple stippling, loop d loops (my personal favorate) to hearts and leaves and feathers......for what it is worth, I will just throw this out there for you to consider....I have quilted a number of my 'very colorfull' quilts with clear thread (think it was poly).....that way the quilting does not really jump out and bite your nose (not that its not cute enough) but I think sometimes with such a stricking quilt pattern as yours you want it to take center stage...and that is just my opinion as humble as it is.....

Love your colors. Go for the free motion...you have a perfect piece to keep you focused....start in the middle....what is the pattern?

Holice,
I did that too but put some stretchy purple flowered fabric that I won't use in a quilt between the foam and plastic.

I have FMQ several quilts and I do not have a special table. My table is a small plastic card table. I have to take frequent breaks because my shoulders are hunched up in order to quilt. After some practice you can do it. You don't have to have any thing special... Now it may make it easier :-) but its not necessary. Good luck. Your quilt is beautiful by the way.

I love your colors and design of your quilt. I have no answer to your question, but wanted to let you know I like your quilt.

I would suggest, what ever set up you use, start with a muslin quilt sandwich.. once you get the hang of it..you can switch over to your quilt top. I would have been very upset if I had started with a real quilt. The other piece, I saved for posterity..and the reason why I will ALWAYS remember to put the presser foot down! lol My other practice pieces have been made into dog beds..stuffed with my throw aways and taken to the local dog rescue. Those pooches never knew they were laying on thread art!

MathTeacher1980,

Very pretty quilt!

nstitches4u
Mom of math teacher.

There is a book, older book on Quilt as you go; Where you divide your quilt into sections and quilt it and then put the sections together. This is just and idea to try. If I remember who wrote it I will post it.

You say this might be your first FMQ quilt. Have you had any experience in FMQ. You don't say that you have.
If not, then I suggest you practice and practice first on smaller pieces. Why be involved with learning a new technique while wrestling a large quilt under the machine. I would find that very difficult to do.

Looks like everyone is giving you the same suggestion as I was going to say. I've used stacked books for many things when I needed to add or enlarge a level area. BTW I think your quilt is gorgeous, love the stained glass look!