I have Marti Michell's book about quilting in sections but have never tried it. On larger quilts it looks like it might be easier when using a home sewing machine. Has anyone done it? Is there a tutorial on it? This is not QAYG. Thanks for the info.

I will watch this post. I'm wondering the same thing :)

On anything larger then a lap quilt I do in sections. So much easier on my domestic Singers and my shoulders

Its very easy to do when hand quilting too, and makes the quilt much more portable.

I do large ones in sections too. I FMQ on my domestic machine and it makes quilting sooooo much easier.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-64610-1.htm
Yes, I did the Steeler quilt in three sections. I'm working on quilting another one right now in three sections. It does help to limit the bulk in the opening of the machine.

I've experimented with some of the techniques in that book, but on smaller quilts, just to get a feel for the techniques. I am using a variation of one of them for a bed size quilt now.

First quilt is quilted in rows with covering strips on the back to cover the seams.

For the last one, I quilted the center panel with a batting/backing large enough to add the turquoise border with stitch and flip, and then added the outer, wide borders with separate strips of border/batting/backing. It was one one of the techniques where you sew through about six layers (including two of batting). It had a poly batting so the seams weren't really very bulky, as they would have been if the batting had been cotton. On the back (which I didn't take a picture of, unfortunately) the seams in the backing fabric show, but there are no covering strips, so it looks "nicer" that way, if you don't like the look of covering strips on the back (they don't bother me).

I read instructions on quilting in sections where you cut the batting in wide zig-zags (like 6") but wonder with the new fusible batting tape if it would be OK to piece the batting straight instead of zig zag. What do you think?

I would agree. I have not always cut my in a zigzag. I usually hand sew it together. Have not thought about the tape. What I was wondering about is breaking the quilt up into sections as Marti Michell does and quilting each section and then sewing them all together. I wondered if it would be easier than doing the 1/3 thing. Let me know what you think.

I read something similiar but instead of a zig-zag you cut with a rolling back and forth line, then whip stitch the batting together. These instructions were popular before the advent of the fusible products and adhesive sprays. I will be following the comments posted on this thread.

Pam M

I did one large quilt following her book for directions. It worked fine and the finished product was fine--It does involve quite a bit of hand sewing when you put the pieces together--the backing is hand sewn as the sections are joined. I encourage you to try it.

I just found that the quilting part was not my cup of tea and I tend to send my big quilts out to a LAQ--I am blessed with one who is very reasonable in her prices and has short turnaround time.

I have tried it on a small quilt, just to get the feel of it, I think it's easier. You just have to have a plan of stitching. Not nearly the bulk of the other way. I did a quilt a little bigger than a twin and quilted that the normal way and then I quilted on a twin using the cutting in third way and it was much easier as I don't seem to have a lot of clearance under my sewing arm. I think I'm going to like it a lot! Time will tell.

This is a large queen size that I did in sections. After machine quilting each section I butted up the edges and did a zigzag stitch then sewed the black strips over the zigzaged seams to cover the stitching.

Glad to see positive remarks taking a class later this month

That is a stunning quilt! I really like the colors. Not girly at all! :D

Yes, I FMQ or quilt in sections. I try to separate it into qtrs. Finishing a qtr at a time. Sure works for me. Keeps from wrestling the darn thing all over the table...