I just read that one could put the plastic wrap on the quilt, mark it for machine quilting and tear it away after stitching. I think in the All People Quilt site. http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/
Anyone try it yet? I just put a piece on a quilt I am hand quilting and it seems to stick.

I don't think I've heard of this idea. That would be a good idea to try. Thanks for sharing.

I've used this method and found it to be very easy to use and quick to remove, provided your quilt design is airy and simple. The more detailed it is, the more picking out of little pieces of the Press 'n' Seal.

What size stitch were you using? I'd love to try this method too.

I've never heard of this. What an interesting technique. It sounds like the same principle as the gold tear-away paper. I can see where I might use this technique a lot, especially since I'm drawn to the more intricate quilting designs and am not yet quite comfortable trying to do such things freehand - yet. ;)

My only concern would be that the needle would punch down tiny bits of plastic, like it does with fabric lint/dust or bits of paper when paper piecing. I wonder how much of a problem this would be and if it is something to consider. Without checking into it, I would think the plastic might cause more problems down in the guts of the machine over time, much more then a build up of regular lint would be, especially since saran wrap sticks. I'd hate to get a piece jammed up in the wrong spot. Anyone else have any thoughts about this?
~Tiffany

It really does make the job easier and I have used it in the past and love it. But someone suggested to me that it could void the warrantee on my machine. So I contacted Bernina and yes, indeed, they did confirm that. I also wrote to the Glad folks and they also said that it wasn't meant to be used with a sewing machine. Just thought I'd pass the info along - I still love the stuff but won't use it with my machine any more.

I've used it and as mentioned earlier if it's a fairly loose pattern (large swirls, writing etc.) there's no problem with it coming out just fine, I did use it on a daisy type pattern & had a heck of a time getting all the tidbits out where the stitching met in the middle. I just use my free motion so there is no actual stitch length. The one great advantage is you just smooth it over your sandwiched block & no pins to stop & remove. However you do need to be sure to use a marker that will not transfer onto the fabric. Sometimes even a sharpie once dried will get onto the fabric & that's NOT FUN!

Ladies, I appreciate all the information you've shared here. Thank you so much!

I think I would save it to try on an old machine where you can get in good to clean it. There is nowhere I cannot get on my old White.

I had not considered the warrenty issue either and am very glad you brought that up. While it sounds like a wonderful technique, I think I'll just force myself to struggle through and get better at my machine quilting, or at least better at marking my quilts, or both.
~Tiffany

I am in the process of using it on my quilt and will NEVER do it again. Here are the pro's and con's based on my experience.

Pros
I chose it because I thought it would adhere and the marking would "last" as long as I needed it to when working on a trapunto design and then still stay there to be machine quilted...it did and worked very well.

I used a sharpie to mark the design and that worked very well also.

My machine is ancient..so warranty is not an issue.

Its pretty easy to remove when finished, yet doesn't slide at all on the quilt, so your design stays exactly where you put it.

Cons

It has "gummed" up my machine and I have to clean it after every section to be able to sew.

The sticky stuff on the wrap sticks to the needle and you have to peel it off VERY frequently.

It has somehow messes with my machine inside so that when I am sewing on top of it, my thread balls up, frayes and I can't sew any further than about 3" before I have to stop, cut, rethread machine. Very hard to get any kind of rhythm going and/or to get anything done.

I'll never use it again and I'll go back to using roll vellum (drafting paper) and or just marking on my quilt top if I can't do it free hand.

Hope this answers you question. If you'd like to see it on the quilt, its posted under "need corner help"

Patti

Thanks for sharing youe experience - it sure SOUNDED like a good idea.

It may still be a good idea for those who hand quilt. It would create no problems with any machine and if it stays in place so well, then there would be no need to use velum paper and pins or even drawing directly on the quilt with markers that may not come out. Has anyone tried it?

Connie

I really appreciate your sharing your experience with us Patti. Thank you! I've passed your comments along to the group of ladies I was talking to yesterday about this new method.

I hand quilt and I definitely would not use this method for hand quilting. I can tell you without trying it that I would not enjoy the feel of the plastic up against my hand. I lap quilt, which means I do not use a frame, so this method really wouldn't work for me. It may work for someone who uses a frame but I would think simply marking the quilt would be easier. JMO.
~Tiffany

You know, it sounds tacky, but a roll of toilet paper works very well in the same way but without the gumminess - and any little bits that don't tear away just dissolve in the wash. I like it for borders. I draw out the border on the length of toilet paper, pin it to my quilt sandwich and stitch through it. Scott tissue works best because it is a little more substantial and not so fluffy. I have also used paper napkins. You want the cheapest napkins, unfolded. It really does work well!

Well isn't that the most clever idea. Thanks Cathe! I would have never thought of using tp. The product I really like is the gold vellum paper but it sure costs a lot more than toilet paper. I think it's something like $7 a package, about the same as 24 rolls of tp. :lol:

I'm just going to have to suck it up and learn to free hand machine quilt. Either that or continue to be very anal (or OCD as my husband calls it) and carefully mark everything.
~Tiffany

I have used that paper. It's nice, but I think it's a little too stiff. The TP is nice because it's soft like fabric. :lol:

I would think marking it would be the hard part. What do you use?
~Tiffany

An ink pen.

Cathe...what an ingenious idea~~ Glad you thought of it :thumbup:

My hubby will really think I've gone crazy when I try that. I've been using Vellum, which is the same thing as the gold paper from the quilt shop. Vellum can be bought at college book stores or architectural supply houses. Its what designers/arch. use to draw on. (I am an Interior designer so had plenty laying around) I is much wider than the gold paper and a much larger roll for cheaper....but I like the tp idea...it would be easier to remove!