Cramming and Jamming but my first big quilt is done!
01-02-2012, 08:01 AM
#1
Super Member
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maine-ly Florida
Posts: 3,917
Cramming and Jamming but my first big quilt is done!
Hi all,
I promised my disabled uncle a Marine quilt for Christmas. I had it started for last year but shame on me, didn't get it done then. A promise is a promise, however and he really did need something warmer than he was using in the nursing home.
I underestimated how much time I needed and was up til 10:15 pm finishing it before the day we all got together.
I did learn a few things. I used the strippy pattern from www.maryquilts.com to showcase the Marine fabric I found. That was great. With borders, it fit his bed perfectly.
I used a walking foot and at first had my sewing machine set on the highest speed. I'm assuming that the times I sped up with it were what produced the tangled knots on the back. Once I set my speed to the middle setting, those (thankfully) stopped. What do you think, was this the problem?
A larger throat space must make a difference. I was aiming for 'stuff and fluff' with about 5 1/2 inches of harp space and ended up really cramming and jamming that poor quilt around. I'm hopeful that a new machine will be in my future at some point that might help with that. A queen would be impossible.
I did have to do self binding in the end due to running out of time. I can now see why people cut their binding ahead of time.
It's not perfect but it was really appreciated and looks quite good unless you know the ins and outs and look closely. That has to be good enough for now. All in all, time crunch included, it was a very satisfying experience and I can see myself making some more gifts in the coming New Year.
Sorry, no picture, completely forgot but will get one at the next visit.
Thanks for 'listening'!
lots2do in NH
I promised my disabled uncle a Marine quilt for Christmas. I had it started for last year but shame on me, didn't get it done then. A promise is a promise, however and he really did need something warmer than he was using in the nursing home.
I underestimated how much time I needed and was up til 10:15 pm finishing it before the day we all got together.
I did learn a few things. I used the strippy pattern from www.maryquilts.com to showcase the Marine fabric I found. That was great. With borders, it fit his bed perfectly.
I used a walking foot and at first had my sewing machine set on the highest speed. I'm assuming that the times I sped up with it were what produced the tangled knots on the back. Once I set my speed to the middle setting, those (thankfully) stopped. What do you think, was this the problem?
A larger throat space must make a difference. I was aiming for 'stuff and fluff' with about 5 1/2 inches of harp space and ended up really cramming and jamming that poor quilt around. I'm hopeful that a new machine will be in my future at some point that might help with that. A queen would be impossible.
I did have to do self binding in the end due to running out of time. I can now see why people cut their binding ahead of time.
It's not perfect but it was really appreciated and looks quite good unless you know the ins and outs and look closely. That has to be good enough for now. All in all, time crunch included, it was a very satisfying experience and I can see myself making some more gifts in the coming New Year.
Sorry, no picture, completely forgot but will get one at the next visit.
Thanks for 'listening'!
lots2do in NH
Last edited by lots2do; 01-02-2012 at 08:02 AM. Reason: to add a question
01-06-2012, 04:51 PM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Monroe, IN
Posts: 2,283
Congrats on the finished product! While it wasn't easy, I recently finished a king sized quilt on a machine with a throat size of about 6". The issues you see on the back may be from a tension issue. The best way to fix is to make a practice sandwich from scraps and play with the tension until you get what you want. I usually dropped the feed dogs, set the stitch length to zero and then set the stitch speed at fast.....then it was pedal to the metal and let her roar! Really tho, consistent speed while moving the fabric is key to eliminating stitch problems, especially eyelashing on the back. Good luck on future quilts!
01-06-2012, 04:54 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 2,328
I am so sure he will love it - especially since you made it for him. Would love to see a photo of it & don't forget to put a label on it with obth your name & his.(amazing how things a nursing homes grow feet & walk out of places
01-06-2012, 05:05 PM
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Milwaukee WI
Posts: 178
About that loopy thread on the back.........My Viking likes to do that, so every time I turn it on I readjust the bobbin tension. The machine also has upper thread tension and presser foot tension. If your machine will let you play with the bobbin thread, experiment and see if it gets better.
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