Originally Posted by Laura F

I have a Juki with a 9" harp and a big sewing table that my DH made for me. I turn my sewing machine and sew from the head. I also roll my quilt from both sides around pvc pipe. I start in the middle and mostly meander. I'm waiting to get my machine dropped into the table, but for now I use what ever I can find that is the same height as my machine for the pipe to slide on. This keeps the quilt level with my machine and much easier to handle. I pin baste and so I need to think which way I will roll the quilt or I get stuck a lot. Planning on trying safety pins with my next quilt. It just takes time, but very rewarding.

Originally Posted by penski

the only way i know how to quilt a loarge quilt on my regular machine is this ..it is not simple but it works for me. after finishing my top i lay the backing on the floor(or large table if i can use one at the civic center) face up and tape it down to the floor tight and straight, then i lay my batting (warm and natural) on top of that all straight then ilay my top on top of that all straight when it looks like i have everything straight i look at it and decide how big of section i want to quilt at a time i usually do it in 3 rds, two sides and the middle, i pull the top back on its self and find the middle section , i then CAREFULLY cut the batting only into 3 sections left side middle and right side and at one end of the batting (the excess) along the bottom i write left, midddle right , i cut the sections of the BATTING ONLY) becareful not to cut the backing also! then i take the left side off and the right side off and spray baste the middle section where it belongs to the backing , spray again the top of the batting (the part that will lye against the top and pull the top over the middle section i sprayed and pat it down to make sure it is set correct let it sit for about 10 minutes to adhere then take the other sections i cut out set them aside for later , roll up the sides that have no batting and quilt that section with batting , dont go all the way to the batting end side in quilting because you have to set the next row of batting next to it you can then go back and quilt that section when put together after the middle is done lay quilt out again and spray baste the next marked section of batting make sure to butt the edges up to the side you already didspray it in place , quilt the same way and do the other side putting the batting in place and quilting it , then the whole quilt is done and the pushing and pulling thru the sewing macine is not as difficult because you dont have the bulk the batting makes, i also thinkit is very useful and a must is to have a large table that sits to the left of you for the quilt to lay on as you are quilting also a fair amount of spce ahead of you as the quilt comes out of the machine if you can have you sewing machine facing a wall with a space big enough for your quilt to lay on after coming out of the machine it is easier, the wall will prevent it from going back on the floor and not gettin drag as the table to the left of you will also keep it up so as not to get drag , also dont forget to use your sewing gloves i hope this helps it is the only way i can quilt my large quilts till i can get me a larger sewing machine