bearisgray

Why one should quilt/sew only in one direction when doing straight line quilting.

https://suzyquilts.com/6-tips-for-st...tick-quilting/

bearisgray

Here is another one that says to quilt only in one direction.

https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/how-t...uilting-4-ways

Changing direction every line of stitching causes puckering/rippling between the lines. If this is the effect you want - that is how to get it.

This person also recommends using a walking foot.

Tartan

Interesting theory. While quilting all in one direction sounds good if you have a long arm, on a regular sewing machine I like to do one half of the quilt in one direction to reduce how much quilt is stuffed through the harp. Once half is done, I rotate the quilt to stitch the second half all in one direction but since I have rotated the quilt, technically that is in the opposite direction. Do what works for your situation.

bearisgray

Another one:

https://www.loandbeholdstitchery.com...lting-tutorial

bearisgray

And another one:

https://www.mybluprint.com/article/p...-line-quilting

Although she adds in one paragraph - to a certain extent it depends on one's machine. Some will only "behave well" when going only one direction - others do better when stitching lines are alternated.

Again - doing a small practice piece might be a good idea. (Although how many of us want to do that?)

My machine (a Pfaff 14741) did a decent job going in only one direction. Which also satisfied the way my logic operates.

(Well, of course, I changed direction when changing from side to side to top to bottom!)

Rhonda K

Thanks for the tips. This is a new to me technique that I am going to try. I haven't done much straight line stitching on my quilts.

Watson

Gah! Start at the same side every line? I'm sure it looks great, but I'm too impatient.
Maybe it's different for a mid-arm when you do free motion because I did a 40" x 70" wallhanging in 1/4" matchstick lines and never had a problem. Or maybe I just got lucky.

Watson

bearisgray

Or with 1/4 inch spacing the drag/pulling would not show?

Sheri.a

Wow! Great information. I did straight line quilting on my daughters graduation quilt and it looked okay while quilting, but in pictures I'm seeing the waves. now I know....

sewbizgirl

A lot depends on the batting you are using, and how well you can control the "drift" of the top fabric on the batting. I never just feed the quilt through, but rather press it down flat on either side of the needle with two hands. No noticable drift that way.