One of the quilt teachers I had said there are three ways to quilt- by hand, by machine, and by check and she preferred the latter. Some thoughts. If some of them are charity quilts, I bet others would be willing to quilt. I use vintage machines, and have one set up for piecing, one for large quilting, one for lap quilting. So I just play musical chairs and move to a another machine without having to br rethreaded, etc. for quilting. You can quilt between piecing without moving everything. My vintage machines cost less than a new one (sold the new one). Also, if you get together with a guild or friends, you can buy batting on a roll and split it for a lot less. I buy closeouts fabric for the backs, like $3.00 a yard when I see an online sale. Just what works for me.

I am the total opposite, I love long arming but even though I have been piecing for 40 years, I totally am piecing challenged. I love applique and paperpiecing because I dont need to worry about whether it is a scant 1/4 inch or a regular one. Just put the quilt on my long arm and it talks to me, and put some music on, and I can work on that for hours.

I like doing all aspects of the craft when I have the time. Unfortunately, this past summer didn't lend much time for it, as I'm working almost full time, and DH planted a humongous garden this year...mostly green beans, potatoes (which yet have to be dug) VERY prolific zucchini, pumpkins (which are the earlier pie and nearly ripe) and, of course, tomatoes...Did I mention I'm tired of canning and want at my sewing machine? :) :) :)

I totally agree - sandwiching is much less tedious when done with others. I belong to a group that meets in a place with large tables and many of us pitch in to help each other sandwich. Nevertheless, I still am slow in quilting my pinned projects - am never satisfied with my quilting although it has gotten better.

You did good. You have two quilted before you cut the next top out. When you get the new top done, you need to get two more quilted. Before you know it, the pile will half the size it was. I have that problem with tops started and not finished. I now will get two of my started project done then I can start a new pattern. I have cut my UFOs down, and hope to get more done this winter. I also like the idea of have a new BBF of a LAQ, who does not like to piece. You both could win. Good luck and keep going.

Do what makes you happy, or at least set a realistic goal that you can still have fun with piecing and not do too many quilting projects in between. No quilting police at the end of the projects either!

I am still pretty new at this, so seeing a finished product is a big deal for me. I had two tops that were waiting their turn to be sandwiched and quilted - One will be finished this weekend because it is for my husband and the nights are starting to get chilly, and the other will continue to sit until I come up with a quilting idea, or need it for something. It would be very easy to start piling up tops!

One word-MSQC!! I love to piece but hate to quilt so I have been sending my tops to MSQC-they are inexpensive, fast and I don't have to worry about it anymore. I beat you by about 4 tops-with three cut and in the que to be sewn.

I am with you, I love to try new patterns and can't seem to find the time to quilt them, planning on working this winter, just counted and have 22.

Why don't you just jump in and get started? You might find it's not as bad as the dread. You can always quilt really simply by using a walking foot and doing a simple cross hatch all over, or straight lines up and down. Or a big squiggle meander all over. I saw some quilts for sale at a flea market and the meander was really huge. The quilts were soft and cuddly.

Piecing is artistry, but quilts get their personality from the quilting!

Just think of all the Christmas gifts you will have!

If you put two tops together (use one as a back) then you've cut your quilting pile in half. Have a girlfriend who will do this on occasion.

I made a list in July with eight quilts on it that needed to be finished - I think I have finally gotten four of them quilted - they still need to be bound but I quilt with friends one night a week and I take hand work with me - they will get done this winter! But ... I have to admit that since my husband purchased my Gammill for me several years ago, my pile of UFO's has gone down ... now to find a home for all the quilts I have finished. I am making a New Year's resolution this year to make a label for every quilt that still lives at home ... way to many ... and then to find homes for them so they aren't just piled up in the closet.

I have the two largest Rubbermaid bins full of completed tops (backings are made for most of them). I refuse to count them but I know that there are more than 15. I have finished at least one quilt every month since I retired and have ten ready to show at our guild quilt show in October. My new rule is to finish at least one a month before starting anything new. Sometime I will see the bottom of the bin. In the meantime, I am enjoying quilting and can finish up a quilt in a hurry if I need to and I'm not worrying about the number!

I could never do this. I might have a few quilts started at once but as soon as one is pieced, I have to see it all the way to completion before finishing another one. Of course, for me, seeing it all the way to completion means sending it to the Long Arm Quilter.

You are a busy girl...Now you better get them to the quilter....

And unlike those who say you have to finish the quilting as you finish the tops, I say, "Ignore them"...and do what works for you.

I also agree about the batting. I normally buy it in large rolls and I like to work on the quilting until that large roll is gone--but then I can make more tops-- I think I had about 70 tops ready to finish, but am working on them now. Unlike some of you, I don't feel guilty about having them. I like to do them, and then put them in piles on a guest bed. As I feel the need for a certain quilt (guy/charity, girl/charity, woman/charity, man/charity, family member, etc.) I can finish them.

Today I bound 4--none of them very large and all donation quilts. I do want to get the total of unfinished tops down to under 20 or so, though, I think. But tops are much easier to store than finished quilts!

And while I do prefer to make the tops, as I've gotten a bit more experience doing the FMQ, I'm gaining confidence, getting faster and overall, am learning and liking the quilting more and more.