How do you handle big quilts on a home sewing machine?
10-28-2011, 08:15 AM
#11
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I am reading your replies with avid hopes. I have read the book by Marti Michell about 3 times, also watched the Leah Day tutes from her site. One of my bigger problems is how to keep the bottom nice and smooth and also get the quilt to move under the quilting foot. I have tried the slider, and the slippery baking sheet without too much success. Anna I read your post and what is nesting?
10-28-2011, 08:28 AM
#13
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Originally Posted by patdesign
One of my bigger problems is how to keep the bottom nice and smooth and also get the quilt to move under the quilting foot.
Are you free motion quilting? What kind of foot are you using? And what kind of batting? If the batting is too high loft for the foot, the quilt sandwich may not move freely. A thinner batting might work. I use a "jumping" foot for FMQ -- a darning foot that has a spring in it so the foot jumps up with the needle. There is another kind of non-jumping foot that can be used for FMQ. Whichever you are using, try using the other kind.
10-28-2011, 08:44 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by Prism99
One method that helps a lot is splitting your batting. Found this technique in one of Debra Wagner's books years ago, and Marti Michell has a book out now that includes it (Machine Quilting in Sections).
Basically you lay out your quilt sandwich, then peel back backing and top to expose the batting. Cut the batting a third of the way in using a wavy "S" shaped line rather than a straight line. Use a permanent marker to mark registration lines along the cut and also to indicate top right. This makes it possible to re-assemble the batting exactly as it was originally. Set the right one-third of the bating aside, and pin the unbatted backing and top together. Do the same for the left side of the batting (although might not be necessary depending on your quilting design).
This reduces the bulk of the batting under the arm of the machine. Quilt the middle section, leaving about 6 inches free near the cut batting. When done with the middle, attach one of the batting sides. The book I recommended doing this by hand using a tailor tacking stitch, but it's also possible to do it with a long and wide machine zigzag or with the fusible batting tape on the market now. Smooth top and backing over attached batting and continue quilting.
Basically you lay out your quilt sandwich, then peel back backing and top to expose the batting. Cut the batting a third of the way in using a wavy "S" shaped line rather than a straight line. Use a permanent marker to mark registration lines along the cut and also to indicate top right. This makes it possible to re-assemble the batting exactly as it was originally. Set the right one-third of the bating aside, and pin the unbatted backing and top together. Do the same for the left side of the batting (although might not be necessary depending on your quilting design).
This reduces the bulk of the batting under the arm of the machine. Quilt the middle section, leaving about 6 inches free near the cut batting. When done with the middle, attach one of the batting sides. The book I recommended doing this by hand using a tailor tacking stitch, but it's also possible to do it with a long and wide machine zigzag or with the fusible batting tape on the market now. Smooth top and backing over attached batting and continue quilting.
10-28-2011, 09:23 AM
#17
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I've always to date English paper pieced and hand quilted. Today I decided having read people on here talking about FMQ that maybe I should try this, I just have a regular machine. I found this Youtube link and was amazed how clear and concise it was, I went straight to my machine and tried it out, WOO HOO!!! now I have to start practising my FMQ. She gives some very good advice on how to work with a large quilt with a regular machine. Hope it helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39I5A...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39I5A...layer_embedded
10-30-2011, 07:44 AM
#19
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Originally Posted by Prism99
Originally Posted by patdesign
One of my bigger problems is how to keep the bottom nice and smooth and also get the quilt to move under the quilting foot.
Are you free motion quilting? What kind of foot are you using? And what kind of batting? If the batting is too high loft for the foot, the quilt sandwich may not move freely. A thinner batting might work. I use a "jumping" foot for FMQ -- a darning foot that has a spring in it so the foot jumps up with the needle. There is another kind of non-jumping foot that can be used for FMQ. Whichever you are using, try using the other kind.
10-30-2011, 07:49 AM
#20
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Originally Posted by catrancher
Can you say "long armer"? I have done a quilt up to 60 inches. After that it gets pretty crowded.
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