I would like help on how to embroider designs on quilts after they are put together with the backing and the batting. I am going to stitch in the ditch also, but on some of the blocks, I would like to put some quilting designs that I have in my embroidery file. Do I have to hoop the whole quilt in order to do this? I would appreciate any advice on this. Thank you.

Judy No do not attempt to hoop the quilt. Instead you will place your stabizier in the hoop then put your hoop on the embroidery arm. Now place the quilt over the hoop and baste it down to the stabilizer. If you have not searched and downloaded basting stitches then you can use frame designs, Just use a very simple line frame.
Once you have basted then you just stitch your design.
Once you get used to this technique you will use basting stiches most of the time. LOL

I have embroidered quilts with my machine after they were sandwiched is that what you mean? Then yes you have to hoop each area you want to quilt.

Yes, I did mean after they were sandwiched.

Judy, Where does one find and download basting stitches?

I have done it by hooping the whole thing, but using very thin batting, or wool. Wool is better for me because it flattens a lot, but when you remove the hoop of bounces back. Another suggestion is to do it on the floor, unless you have your embroidery machine on a big table. You don't want the sides of the quilt pulling down.

Do you use a tearaway stabilizer?

With all the layers of the quilt I don't use any stabilizer.

You ladies are brave, I wouldn't attempt to embroider something on a quilt that's already finished. I wouldn't like the stitching to show on the back side of the quilt. That's my two cents! :D

I've hooped and done embroidery on MANY to most of my quilts. I've never used or needed stabilizer because the designs I've done have been outline stitching only. So, it looks usually as good on the back as the front. I wouldn't do anything other than outline stitching on sandwiched quilts. Anything will fill stitches would look bad on the back.

Right, that would be all I would do also. Any other designs I would quilt on the block before they were pieced.

Glad this conversation came up. My daughter started a quilt and wants me to embroider some designs on it for her. I was wondering how I would do it. Thanks!

Candace, do you hoop all three layers of your sandwich then when you are embroidering the designs? If not, how do you do it? Mine would be outline stitching also.

If you are using a basting stitch you must have stabilizer hooped so there is something to baste to.
Yes to who ever said they use linework only. I agree with that because you can make your bobbin thread the same as the top if wanted and have a reversible design.
As per the question as to find basting stitches, Just do a search for free basting stitch designs. Many machine brand sites have them as well as digitizers who have free designs.

Yes, I've hooped all 3 layers at once. You have to be careful with the full weight of a quilt on the arm. You may have to arrange boxes, or cradle it while the machine is embroidering. Some people move it to the floor as they say it helps with the weight. I would think this would add drag to the arm, but you could try it if you have problems with the weight. I've never had to do this, but I've mainly embroidered twin and below sized ones.

I've never basted it in the hoop. Though my new machine does have some built in basting stitches so I will probably do that in the future, because it wouldn't hurt. I've also never used stabilizer as the batting acts as a stablilizer. Though, you could use a water soluble topper and wash away on the bottom. All of these hooped with the quilt. It depends on your design etc. I would always recommend doing a sample first to test which and how many layers of stabilizer would be needed if at all.