Confusion about how to handle bulk of large quilt when machine quilting
 

Recently I was watching several YouTube videos on machine quilting. I have a quilt top I want to quilt on my machine and this would be my first experience (except for a few baby quilts).
One of the persons on a video said "Do not roll up the bulk"....huh? That is what I was planning to do. Why not? Does anyone here have an answer for me?

Some of us are puddlers (that's me!)
... some like to roll up into a log.

If you are doing long lines of quilting, you may find the puddle is easier, as you move from one area of the quilt quickly. Whereas, if you are working in one area for a longer period of time (eg. a detailed design within a central area), you might find the log to be quite convenient.

Try it both ways ... and see what works best for you!

It's actually better to loosely accordion pleat the bulk that goes under the machine. It is more maneuverable and less stiff than if you roll up that bulk.

I find it very different to control a rolled up log of a large quilt. It is, for me, easier to move a scrunched up mass. I did once roll a log and keep it on my shoulder - but I hadn't learned to scrunch yet.

This isn't the largest quilt ever, but it is a nice video about a way to handle all the bulk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-eOpPsecyU&noredirect=1

I don't have that nice of a setup- I put a cardtable behind my machine and an ironing board to my left. Supporting the quilt is very important though!

There is a good craftsy class on quilting a large quilt on a small machine.

Doesn't Leah Day teach how to puddle a quilt? Just google her.

If you roll the quilt, the bottom/outside of roll will be pulled more tightly than the top/inside of the roll. Better to scrunch it or accordion-fold, so that the tension stays fairly even. :)

Hi! My name is Rose and I am a puddler! LOL I also put the ironing board to the left of the machine to hold most of the bulk while fmq...whatever it takes to keep the quilt from pulling while you sew.

I had built a table that had support to the left and depth to do my quilting. NEVER did that over the shoulder routine that back in the 'old" days was always recommenced. Find anything such as an ironing board, table or TV trays that can help support the weight of the quilt. I read an article of one lady who had a large table and she stood up doing her machine quilting. Try to start on a small project and then work up to the larger size. Good luck !!

Thanks everyone. I think will try the accordion method.

Speaking of that, there is a YouTube video by Kaye Wood, you can Google this:
Bold Beginnings Quilting Stencils and Paper.mov
The video begins with Kaye reading a viewer tip about how to launder a long length of fabric and it
won't get all twisted...using accordion folds and safety pins. She says it works.
The main topic on the video is good too, very worth watching.
~Neecie

That is a great reason to avoid the roll. I'm a puddler like Leah Day - check her website for tutorial