Hi! My name is Heather and I have secretly been longing to joining the ranks of quilters for years. I have been reading an easy quilting book my mom loaned me an easy quilting book. I have been wanting to do a baby quilt and a queen size quilt. After watching videos and such.... I am fairly sure I might not get it perfect but Imma try anyway! I am however terrified on one important step... Stippling/texture sewing. I have a pfaff creative 1473 CD. It has free motion sewing but..... how would I get to the center witout having too much build up of fabric to bog down or even make it impossible to sew the texture. I really want to try the texturing but I am wondering if it will be impossible with my machine. An ideas would be appreciated :)

Welcome to the group. Don't be scared. We all started out with low expectations and learned as we go. All you need is practice and we are all here to help. You will find so many experienced quilters here. As far as doing the center of your quilt, you need to roll up the sides so the area you want to work on is able to fit under your presser foot. Just go for it...it's lots of fun and very rewarding when you're done and don't forget to post pics of your work!!!! Happy Quilting

Can't help with the stippling, I use on a $300 machine and use my free motion thingy, just drop the feed dogs and away I go! I am still kinda new at this too! anyway, welcome and glad you joined us, Happy quilting!!!

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D

Sandwich up some scraps and practice, cut them up into potholders and then move on to the baby quilt first. You will do just fine :D:D:D

Hi Heather, welcome from Arkansas! It's great to have you join us. Please don't be scared, we all have to start somewhere. Stippling is so much fun. I start quilting from the center and work my way out. I roll up the side in a nice tight roll. You'll do fine and the great feeling of accomplishment you'll have will outweigh the feelings of apprehension. Have fun!

Hello and welcome from Ontario. You can do full size quilts on your standard machine, it is just a little awkward, but I have done several this way.

Welcome to the board. You have a way to go before you get there, but when quilting, you start in the center and work you way out. Lots of help available here!

Start with the baby quilt. Start small and build up your experience and confidence.

You'll get there sooner or later. No one ever started out expert.
Everyone has to start somewhere, so gather up your self confidence, your fabric, your threads, your sewing machine and sew sew sew.

Let us see the finished product, I'll bet it will be lovely.

Welcome!! I'm sorry I can't be of any help on stippling, I am just feeling more confident stitching in the ditch. I think sandwiching some trial pieces is a great idea.

You can do the stippling on your standard machine. Just don't be in a hurry and kind of "know" where your pressure foot is headed and you can do it just fine. I found it much easier if my quilt had plenty of surface to rest on. I placed a folding table in front of my machine and the left side against the wall so the quilt doesn't get a chance to fall to the floor and pull against the foot. This really helps keep the stippling steady. The "machingers" gloves are a life saver and will help you move the quilt along as you go. Hope this helps. That's not to say that my work is top of the line but I'm happy with it and it can only get better, right? :-) Welcome!