Originally Posted by mona202
The first quilt I did was a table top one so it was easy to machine quilt. However, I am now moving onto my first quilt that is 64" x 64". I am going to machine quilt it, so do I start in the middle? How do I roll up the side that is not the open side? Also, do you have to use a free motion quilt presser foot? The needle doesnt go in the foot anyway so cant you just quilt without the foot? (Can you tell I am new to quilting? lol)
I generally do start in the middle. I don't roll up, but rather pin really really well and then just smoosh around as needed.
I use a darning foot. I think you can quilt without a foot on some machines, but also know people whose hand has gotten stabbed by the needle because they got too close. So I've never tried it!
The foot does help -- If find my regular foot works well when I want to FMQ in more of a straight line (without putting the feed dogs back up)....