I have my doll quilt all finished.....layered together ready to be quilting but everything I try on my practice area is not turning out well. I am pretty sure I dont have the proper attachments, but I HAVE to get this done it is my doll quilt for my amazingly wonderful partner gai!

Ok so it is squares and I just have my normal basic sewing machine no extra attatchments or anything. I just have the regular foot that I sewed my pieces together with. I am having a hard time with the starting and stopping. Is there any way I can do this as it is? I am just feeling SO frustrated cuz it is not how i want it to be!

Please help!

Are you trying to stitch in the ditch or ???

I did my first project (a piano topper) without a walking foot. Make sure you starch it just about to death. That was a tip I got on here when my project kept quilting weird. And since you don't have a walking foot, you may have to stitch very slowly. I know I had to but it did get done.

The other possiblity if it's the foot that is causing all the trouble, get rid of it and do some FMQ. It's scary stuff but doable. I've done a couple of pot holders that don't require me to wear a bag over my head.

Be patient. You will get this done.

yes amma. Someone suggested I do that one since it would probably be the easiest. Ok ill try taking the foot off in the morning and give that a shot. Im not sure why I didnt eve think of that myself. I just want it to be perfect since it is going to someone else so stressing more than normal I think. Thank you for the tip and the confidence booster. *big hugs*

Read all the posts on how to FMQ if you are going to try it and practice first.

If taking off the foot doesn't work, I would recommend taking the sandwich apart and heavily starching both top and backing. Also, you might try splitting the batting in half to make sure it is thin enough for the doll quilt, or try using washed & dried flannel for the batting.

Prism99, thanks for this tip. I am making my first doll swap quilt and have not got as far as the batting yet, but now I am prepared!!!! Great tip.

Glad the tips are helpful! Just remembered it's also a good idea to use finer thread than usual (say 60/2 instead of the usual 50/3, or even finer if you have it). It is not only more in scale with the doll-size quilt, it also helps keep the quilt supple after quilting. I once stipple-quilted a doll quilt with regular thread and it came out so stiff it would have functioned better as a potholder!

Prism99 Again Thank You. Are the doll quilts "made to scale" like a regular minature? i.e. the binding.....

It might help to adjust the top or bottom tension. And just go slow and be patient. I did my first few quilts with my normal foot. Even if you go foot-less, just take your time.