Practice quilts

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03-08-2018, 04:28 AM

#11

jmoore

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Boothbay Maine

Posts: 9,518

Quote:

Originally Posted by selm

Another thing you can do that saves on fabric is use a practice piece twice. The second time use a different color thread so you can analyze where you have stitched. When you are finished with a practice piece fold over the edges and make a quick self-binding then donate to yourself, a friend, or a animal shelter to use as dog pads.

This is what I do quite often...and sometimes I’ll throw a practice piece under my machine a third or fourth time just to check tension and thread behavior.

03-08-2018, 06:39 AM

#12

KnitnutBZ

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2011

Location: Augusta, Maine

Posts: 363

Quote:

Originally Posted by feline fanatic

Here is a pinterest link with a picture but Can't find the product on Erica's

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/540572761496877061/

this is a great idea but I wonder what keeps the frame from sliding around.

03-08-2018, 01:47 PM

#13

JanieH

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Houston, TX

Posts: 7,312

If you do use batting, you can always donate your practice quilts to animal shelters for the cages.

03-08-2018, 06:43 PM

#14

MsHeirloom

Junior Member

Join Date: May 2014

Location: Maumee, OH

Posts: 291

I started on hot pads, then table runners, followed by a baby quilt, then queen sized quilts. The 10' X 10" gave me free motion practice and also the opportunity to practice on a block. I have had my Tiara for about 5 years and absolutely love it!!!

04-03-2018, 01:51 PM

#15

Dedraps

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jan 2018

Posts: 8

This is a great idea! I ended up just putting a new piece of fabric over my last practice piece, but I love the idea of using a different color thread to compare my progress. Thanks for the idea. I’ll defin donate to the local animal shelter.

04-04-2018, 04:55 AM

#16

eparys

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2008

Location: New England, USA

Posts: 2,969

Quote:

Originally Posted by selm

Another thing you can do that saves on fabric is use a practice piece twice. The second time use a different color thread so you can analyze where you have stitched. ....

I have done this often - but I have also been known to put a fresh piece of muslin on the top after several rounds to get even more use out of the practice piece.

When I start to practice, I always start with either a dry erase board or paper then progress to the machine. The dry erase board and paper help me practice and prepare for those "I need to fill in that space" issues. If it is a big or special project and I want to make sure I got the pattern nailed down I sometimes do yardage - I put a busy fabric on the back and a plain fabric on top - do my practice (easier to see the quilting on the plain side as you go and not really evident on the busy side lol) and when done use the quilted fabric for small projects (bags etc) as gifts.

04-04-2018, 07:59 AM

#17

Krisb

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2011

Location: Asheville, previously Lake Vermilion, Tarpon Springs, Duluth, St Paul, Soudan

Posts: 1,651

Directions on how to make the device. Home Depot may be seeing me today.

http://www.sylviasstitches.com/2017/...tice-tool.html

Seems like a great way to develop muscle memory for new designs.

04-04-2018, 08:31 AM

#18

CorgiNole

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Chapel Hill

Posts: 1,086

You can also practice without thread - if on muslin, you can see the needle holes. Then add thread the next time through.

04-04-2018, 08:36 AM

#19

Watson

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2015

Location: Ontario, Canada

Posts: 4,368

One thing I do with a practice piece is use a light colour on the front and a dark on the back with a matching light thread. That way you can see your stitches on the dark side really well to see how it is going in detail and you can see how they would blend in on a real quilt on the light side.

Watson