1st time machine quilter questions.
 

I need the most basic advice about machine quilting. I've never done any before. Every bed size quilt I have made was given out to a long arm quilter and I have hand quilted wall hangings and small projects.

Finally, I finished a pieced quilt, started more than 2 years ago. I stopped quilting entirely then because of illness and finally got back to it a couple of months ago and it's done! It is about 70x90" and pieced (thanks, Kris, for the pattern!), combining 1" strips with 7.5" squares. It is supposed to be for a Christmas present, so I had better hurry up.

Here come the questions:
1. When I sandwich it, do I baste or use safety pins?
2. I don't have a large table or access to one and I don't even know how or where I can sandwich it.
3. Quilt-in-the-ditch would probably look best, but do I have to quilt every ditch? Some are just an inch apart.
4. The batting package says it can be quilted 10" apart, is that true? It seems like a lot.
5. Do you think I have time to do it before Christmas? The backing and binding are all cut and pieced together.
6. Any suggestions about practicing before starting?

Thank you in advance, I want to start but I'm getting really nervous about it. Ay advice at all would be wonderful.

Lorli

Lorli, I think you have time to finish the quilt by Christmas.
1. You can baste the three layers (back, batting, top) together with long, running thread stitches or you can pin baste it. If you don't have any, I would suggest buying the quilter's safety pins that have a bend in them. They are much easier to baste a quilt with & also to take out when you are finished.
2. I generally sandwich my quilts on the floor but when I get a chance I take it to the Senior Citizen Center in my town & they let me use one of their large folding tables. Perhaps a library would allow you to do the same thing or even a VFW Hall or school.
3. I don't think you would have to quilt in every ditch. I do a lot of quilt in the ditch & don't always do every ditch. The closer/more quilting, the stiffer the quilt.
4. 10" seems a bit far apart. I think I would do mine a little closer.
5. Yes, I think you have time to finish it by Christmas. (of course it depends on how much you sew each day...everyone has different commitments. I would be able to finish by Christmas but I am retired & have a lot of free time on my hands.)
6. I would sandwich a small piece using the same backing, batting & top pieces & thread & practice on it for the main purpose of making sure your sewing machine tension is correct. Don't forget to use a walking foot as it will keep all your layers feeding through the machine at the same rate.

I say go for it without any trepidation.

I agree with everything osewme said. If you don't have access to a large table, and the floor is too awkward, you could look at Sharon Schamber's method of using planks to fold/baste your quilt together. I think there is a you-tube about it.

I, too, am about to machine quilt my first quilt. I received lots of different advice. I also have the 10" batting. Mine is for a child's play quilt, so it will probably get frequent washing. I finally went down to the quilt shop, which is also where I take my quilts to be quilted. She said that 3.5 inches was the standard for how close to quilt.

bkay

Hello from California! Your questions are great! Here's my input:
Either basting or pinning works great. I prefer pinning and use the curved Quilter's pins. I pin every 3-4" across the quilt, or I rest my closed hand on the quilt, and place a pin every so often, about the width of my hand.
I now have to pin on the floor, as I don't have access to large tables. Some quilt shops will let you use their classroom tables to pin if you ask ahead of time.

I stopped quilting in the ditch years ago and now stitch 'beside the ditch' exclusively. It's quicker, less hassle, and adds a nice finish to a quilt, especially if you use today's beautiful variegated thread.

i think quilting 10" apart would be a bit skimpy, but it really depends on your likes and the design. I stay away from quilting quilts 'to death' because I think it defeats the purpose of a soft, usable quilt.

And finally, I think it's possible to finish by the holidays!

good luck to you! Post a pic when you complete your quilt!
V.

Of course you can finish before Christmas!
Have you considered spray basting? Maybe you don't want to get into that, but it's quick and easy.
I sandwich mine on my garage floor. I put a king size sheet down after I've swept and do it there.
I would try to put a practice sandwich together using the same fabrics and batting just so you can get your tension and stitch length how you want it before starting.

And, don't forget to wind a bunch of bobbins before you start!
Can't wait to see the finished quilt.


Watson

I pinbaste my quilts on the bed. I have 2 of those cardboard cutting boards that I lay on the bed so I don't pin to the bedding. ten inches is the most distance allowed for the type batting you have. Rarely would I quilt that far apart. It is acceptable but the quilt will hold up to use and abuse better if stitched closer.

I just watched a tutorial on Sharon Schamber's method of hand basting & it was very interesting. I may have to try that some day.

1. When I sandwich it, do I baste or use safety pins? You can baste with thread, glue, basting spray or safety pins. If using safety pins, I'd suggest the curved ones (JAF or HL sell them). I prefer pin basting & place my pins a fist-width apart. I baste from the center out, in quadrants.
2. I don't have a large table or access to one and I don't even know how or where I can sandwich it. I baste on the floor.
3. Quilt-in-the-ditch would probably look best, but do I have to quilt every ditch? Some are just an inch apart. You can choose whether to quilt all the ditches ... just realize that any ditches/seams that are not quilted will puff up very slightly along the center of the seam. If it's not a show quilt, it's not really a problem.
4. The batting package says it can be quilted 10" apart, is that true? It seems like a lot. 10" for anything meant to be a utility quilt is too far apart, in my opinion. I almost never quilt farther apart than 2" in order to ensure sturdiness & longevity of the fabric and stitching. The batting instructions are only in regards to the point at which the batting starts to wear/bunch/develop issues. Your batting will be fine if you only quilt every 10", but it is really hard on the fabric. If you want to be sure your quilt will be problem-free for years to come, I'd quilt it much closer than 10". If you only plan to use the quilt for a couple years, or don't mind the occasional little fixes, 10" is fine.
5. Do you think I have time to do it before Christmas? The backing and binding are all cut and pieced together. Potentially. I've quilted quilts in that amount of time, but with the time to practice & downtime during the Thanksgiving holiday/holiday shopping/winter parties ... if you're also working full-time (that includes parenting), it might be a bit of a time crunch to baste, quilt & hand bind all before Christmas. Still, I think it's worth it to give it a try as long as you'll feel okay in the event it takes a bit longer (I know I never seem to get family quilts done in time for the actual holiday/birthday for which they were intended ... something always comes up -- usually I wear myself down with late night quilting even if I have to get up for work the next day & then end up getting sick and being unable to quilt for a week or so -- maybe one of these years I'll learn :p).
6. Any suggestions about practicing before starting? Use 50wt/2ply or 60wt/3ply thread that matches or is a shade greyer than your primary background fabric. If your walking foot comes with different soles (like Bernina), try out the different options. I like the open-toed best on my Bernina & the closed toe best on my Singer. I've never been able to get the hang of those ones with the ditch guide, but maybe that's because I use dense, high-loft batting (Warm & Plush). Also, note that "Quilting Needles" are actually for Free Motion work; for SID you're better off with either a Microtex or possibly a Top Stitch.

Edit -- Oh, and 2 more things ... (1) be sure to watch a good video on how to properly baste a quilt -- the biggest thing that got me was pulling the back too tight before taping it to the floor and (2) most importantly (can't believe I forgot this!): HAVE FUN! Quilting is super addicting & once you start you'll want to quilt all your quilts! :)

1. You can baste with pins thread or spray.
2. you can use the floor. You don't have access to a church or shop possible to baste?
3. you only have to quilt the distance the batting says. That being said I would do what you feel will look best for the quilt
4. what the package says is the max limit different types of battings have different widths
5. Yes you should have time
6. I would test tension on scraps before starting the real thing and use a fine thread if you really want the SITD to blend in

for laying out for sandwiching, do you have a ping pong table, picnic table, cardboard to lay over a bed, floor space,table at church or library or school may help too.

remember to work from the center out (both directions) so that you can smooth as you go; a patterned backing does a nice job of "hiding" boo-boos.

Use a 90/14 topstitch needle for quilting. Goes through all layers nicely. I use Sharon Shaumbers method of basting. Sometime use glue...either works fine.

All the ladies here have given spot on advice about pinning and stitching. As far as getting it done by Christmas, easy peasy. I just quilted a 59" square quilt on my DSM (stitch in the ditch) in 12 hours! (spread out in two days). It can be done!

I baste on the floor using the yellow Dritz quilting pins and Pinmoors. There are several cheap Pinmoor alternatives online. I'm not a fan of heavy quilting either, my hubby hates what he calls "the fabric cracker" lol. I'd do SITD with a walking foot but just do the ditches that you want :) I use Warm Company Soft & Bright poly batting primarily and it's a ten inch apart batting like yours. I don't think I've ever quilted it that far apart but I don't think it would be a problem. I've made several blankets for children that I quilted six inches apart and they've held up to heavy use wonderfully. definitely make a test sandwich to see how small you want your stiches, etc. I also highly recommend a calming drink like a cup of tea or cocoa or an adult beverage and some nice music :) have fun!!

Thanks! This is great advice and so reassuring! I have to look at Sharon Shaumber's video, it must b good if so many people use it.
Last night, I spread it out on my biggest table and all the sides hung off, but I tried to pin baste it from the center out. It seemed to be going well but at the end I saw that something must have shifted because I ran out of backing on one side. I'm sure the backing is big enough so I don't know what happened. So, tomorrow, I'm going to take the pins out and start over, this time I will spread a big sheet out on the floor and try to do it that way. I'm on vacation this week so I want to make a good start on it.

Basting spray sounds like a really good idea. Why don't people use it more? What about those basting guns?

Basting spray is fine. Many people do use it; I don't because I'm allergic to the propellant. I would recommend 505 Basting Spray if you're using that as it's water soluble & repositionable. I wouldn't bother with the basting guns.

For Sharon Schamber's method, the 2x4's need to be wider than your backing fabric. Your backing fabric should be at least 2" wider & longer than your top -- 1" all the way around; I try to make mine a minimum of 4" wider & longer -- this is because some of the backing will be taken up in the quilting process. When you start, make sure you have everything centered with the proper margins at the edges. If you're using boards on both the top & the bottom, I would pre-mark the center of the top & backing so you can match them up with a straight pin before starting. If you're just using one board and it's a large quilt, you'll need to work from the top to the bottom (or bottom to top), working from the middle out on each "row".

I don't know what the sheet idea is, unless you mean that you're backing your quilt with a sheet. If so, make sure you gently smooth the sheet-backing with flat hands & tape to the floor with masking tape (or if it's carpet, secure the edges with T-pins) before you lay the batting & quilt top on top. For that method, because the entire quilt sandwich is laid out at once, you do want to work in quadrants from the center out, and ideally work with diagonal quadrants to help keep it centered (i.e., pin the upper right quadrant, then the lower left; then the upper left quadrant & finally the lower right). Working in that method helps move the top evenly across the backing to ensure it's centered.

Here are a couple videos:
Clipping to edge of table: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT5ywYhlKe4
Pin basting on the floor (surface large enough to lay out entire quilt): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wRxkSWax9Q
Really good Sharon Schamber video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyaLsMafElo
Spray Basting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSeWBOnbC90

Your first response gave you a lot of good info, but I'd like to add a few things. First be sure t use a topstitch needle. Also try to have as flat a surface as possible and also add tables, ironing board or any thing else you can to support your quilt. When a quilt hangs over your work space it causes pull which will affect your tension. I suggest doing a small sandwhich to practice on. The more you practice the better you will do. Good luck!

Use your ironing board and get a sheet of plywood (thin) and trim down some so it won't stick out too far. Cover with a flannel-backed picnic table cloth. (it is slick so your quilt will move easily. Center the quilt and baste that entire section. Then, move to your left and baste. Follow by moving to your right and basting. I saves my knees and back.

I have been quilting less than a year and truly understand your nervousness. You are asking all the right questions and the other more experienced members of the board are giving you great advice. What I have to add is that it gets easier as you move forward. The joy of completing your first quilt is incomparable. I have a speed control on my machine and I turn it down keep from accidentally going too fast when I do SITD. I also look at the seam line, not at the needle. I started out basting with big stitches, but that caused me problems when I got the big stitches hooked on my foot. I have moved on to glue. Try to relax and enjoy the quilting process, your work looks better and you will feel better if you relax. Everyone here wishes you well.

I have tried the basting gun & it is worthless unless you have a very thick batting. To much shifting of the layers. I use spray basting & do it on my bed with a large sheet under the layers. Queen mattress & most of my quilts fit. Just protect your surface. No shifting with spray basting.

I tried pin basting and big stitches and finally tried spray basting. By far my favorite method. If you don't have a big area on the floor or a table (which I don't), you can do a little at a time, or use a design wall to hold it up for the process. I use a flannel backed picnic tablecloth for my design wall, flannel side out, pinned to the wall. The falannel acts as a clingy area to hold up the fabrics/backing. I pin the backing on it, wrong side out, spray it, and add the batting. Smooth it out, pin (thumbtack) the batting too, to give it a little extra hold, then spray and add the top. smooth it out, let it dry and there ya go! Be sure to have ventilation and put newspapers or a drop cloth down to catch any over spray.

Hi, I found this video on how to sandwich a quilt top on a small table and thought that you may found it interesting and helpful..www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnke_KzeTI8

If you haven't tried spray basting yet, I urge you to give it a try. After I have the quilt sandwiched, if it is a little off kilter, I find I can shift the fabric (either the backing or the quilt top, which ever is needed) by smoothing it repeatedly in one direction with my hands. You have to do this purposefully; it's not likely to shift on its own.
My kitchen bar area is long and wide. So far I have been able to sandwich the quilts I make on it. But I have used the basement floor, too. If I have to use the floor again, I will borrow my DH's knee pads.
Don't stretch the bottom fabric, just smooth it out. It all has to ease and settle together, and stretching tightly will make the other layers wrinkle once the stretched fabric is released.

I'm happy now - it's sandwiched! I used the method in the video suggested by quiltlady1941, laying on a table, and it was fun. I will start the quilting as soon as I get the courage.

I pin baste my sandwiched quilt, but you do need to find a large table space to do this. Does your area have a community hall? I have friends who go to the hall and use the tables there when they need to pin their quilts. The first time you pin baste you will want someone to show you how to do it properly.

I used safety pins, I think about 200 pins but could have put them closer together if I hadn't run out. I thought it would hurt my hands but it didn't. I used the method in the video and taped 4 chopsticks to the table for the center. What an ingenious method - I never would have thought of it. There is some rippling on two of the borders but I couldn't face taking out the seams and the mitred corners so I just hope it will quilt out
.
Thanks so much to everyone. By the way, what stitch length do people use for machine quilting?