Hello all. I am still new at this, and I have completed 2 tiny little quilts (one a baby quilt and the other a tiny mini quilt). Anyway, I just really messed up on another baby quilt I was making and I am very discouraged, so I thought maybe I can just do wholecloth quilting instead of piecing. Plus I do only hand-quilting, and do not like marking the top of my quilt since I have a hard time trying to see the design. Those Easy-Strippling, etc are they good only for machine quilting or can you use them also for hand-quilting? :?: Sorry for all this rambling. :oops: I just don't really want to give up quilting, but just frustrated! Do any of you know of any patterns free or not on wholecloth quilting?

Thanks for any ideas. Need all help I can get... I have never taken a class, etc., Maybe I need to if I can afford the time and funds.

Joanie, sorry about your projects giving you headaches...it happens sometimes. Take a look at the pattern books by Helen Squire in the "Ask Helen" series, they've been very inspiring to me. The patterns are large and easy to work with.

Hi Joanie, I’ve really no idea though the thought of whole cloth quilting has been running through my noodles for the last week since a planned one has three large panels that will involve the process. It seems straightforward though the pre marking seems to be a requisite. I was thinking about doing something similar to the Hawaiian quilting for my designs and actually cutting snowflakes rather than flowers. It sounds easy but I’m sure in practice it will present its own set of challenges. Giving it a quick glance I found the following pattern free online, though I’m sure with a little digging there are more.

http://www.sewvac1.com/Library/wholecloth.htm

Being new at quilting I’ve have found it fun. I’m curious what you did to “mess up” so bad that it discouraged you from piece quilting? Personally the idea of a little fabric getting the best of me pisses me off enough to rise (or at least attempt to rise) to the challenge. Besides, the folks here seem to be able to guide me through about anything.
:D

Gosh, I know pre marking on WholeCloth will need to be done, but with a light color fabric it will be easier to see.

What I did to mess up is that I was using tissue paper with the design (clamshells) and when I started the next row they were not lined up right, so then I took my marking pencil and tried marking the design and just totally messed it up more. Since I spray basted it I took all quilting out and washed the top so I can just mark the whole thing at once, but my top came a part on the seams.

I've not tried clamshells yet (being a newbie), but it sounds like you too had cause to come apart at the seams. It's rather frustrating when something you work so hard on is less than what you want, but stick with it. I thought mock binding would do me in, but I persevered and it paid off (eventually).

Was it for a child of yours?

Thanks for the understanding... No, it was for one of my mother's friend's granddaughter. The thing is Bernice wanted certain colors and I did that and the top looked really good. I liked it a lot, oh and did I tell you that Bernice was going to pay me for it?

Luckily, I bought enough fabric where I can remake the top but I am taking a break from it. Found out this week that she didn't need it until March. This time I will just do straight line quilting like the square grid and mark it the best I can.

The clamshell can be a toughie. I had a fight with it once also. don't let it gt you down. sounds like you ar doing right by setting it aside for a little while. One suggestion. I fyou are doing strightline quilting next time, you can mark yu lines with blue painters masking tape instad of using a marking pencil. Its a little more that regular masking tape, but it sures is mor forgiving, even when you accidntally stitch through it :!: I machine piece and quilt because I work about 45 hrs a week and that is all I have time to do. But best of luck to you. Don't let it get you down. Everyone on the board is here to help--thats what keeps us all going. Lots of friendly folks here. :-)

I haven't tried machine quilting, but I did do piecing by machine. Since I work from home for a company, I sit at my desk and work and inbetween loans I can do my hand-quilting. Plus even watching tv, etc I feel I need to keep my hands busy.

When using the tape, do I just mark the center and then put the tape in the direction I want to go then reposition it a certain width from my line I just stitched?

You all are so generous with your help and inspiration.. Thanks to you all :)

Joanie, I can't help with your problem but where is Springtown? My family lived in Spring when I was too small to remember but I can't find Springtown on the map.

Hi Kathy... Springtown is northwest of Fort Worth, past Eagle Mountain Lake, closer to Weatherford and Jacksboro...