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Sharon,
Thanks for explaining serpentine stitch. I am definitely going to try it. It can get really frustrating for me when a stitch doesn't stay in the ditch. Just want it to be perfect I guess. Now who am I kidding? |
Originally Posted by scu114
(Post 5217216)
Hello all. I am not sure if this has been posted-nonetheless, I couldn't find a solution. I just know you quilters can help me. I am in over my head but was persuaded to make a signature quilt as a good bye gift for a co-worker. It came together as best as I can do-- decided to free motion a curly Q pattern down and across the green sashings. Believe it or not-- I did alright on the free motion and the back is not puckered. BUT-- the top looks "blousey".
I have attached a picture for reference- the block with the picture towards the bottom-- how loose it is? Others are like this too-- like I didn't have to tight enough when I basted it together. ( But it looked great when I first it) Now how do I fix it? I cannot take out all the stitching I have done on the machine. I don't know if I can quilt inside each block or if that will intensify the "blouseyness." I tried to hand quilt around one block-- around the edges-- but I don't think it mattered-- may have to do more than one to notice? Do I dare try to "stitch in the ditch" with my machine-- my squares aren't perfectly straight you know. This will make the back look tacky? Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Did it come more loose as I struggled getting in through my machine? It is pretty "wrinkled" from working it-but that free motion sure looks nice lol. Just help please-- help me make this presentable" Thanks so much for ANY help. Just a beginner... thread a needle with the best matching color you can find. Slip between the two yellow squares and sort of tuck a tiny tuck up under the outer square. I had to do that once and it worked quite well. |
also you might try going a bit slower when you move the quilt doing FMQ, that will make smaller stitches.
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Thanks all for the advice. I always learn so much for this forum. I appreciate you taking your time with my struggle. I have a to play with- BEFORE I start in on that quilt again. Thank heavens it's not "due" until Mid June. I will practice on some of this. I do not have the Serpentine switch on my Brother machine- but love that idea-- makes me want to buy a new machine even more :) My feed dogs don't go down either- so I have 2 reasons now hehe. Not sure on the batting- it was a natural, thin batting- I have used in many times with no problems. But again- this is a pretty big project for me-I have done a few quilt as you go-- that is so much simpler with the quilting part. Thanks again-- I will update on my progress- I promise!
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As a LAQ I get quilt tops that are made of different grades of cotton. Some pieces have more stretch than others. This isn't so noticable when the top is being made or ironed, but when it gets pulled taut on the quilting frame the looser weave or stetchier materials show up.
All that said when you wash a quilt and there is a degree of shrinkage, they often puff up. Unless its patchy on yours I wouldn't worry about it. 5 inches between stitch lines is not bad. If you try to SID you may do nothing more that push the offending looseness into the center and make it more puffy. Remeber we are the worst critics of our own work. If its your work as a gift go ahead and wash it and see what happens. MaryKatherine |
First it needs more quilting SID around large areas. I use large straight pins when there appears to be some excess fabric to work in. Put them in just ahead of the area you are quilting. This way you can ease in any
fullness with the quilting. Dont rely on the walking foot to do all the work for you. Use the patchwork as a guide for the amount of quilting you need and not the recommendation of the batting manufacturer. I am sure the quilt will droop if you don't put more quilting within the blocks. It all depend on how the quilt is to be used. If as a wall hanging then lots more quilting may be needed. |
A little more Quilting in the blocks will flatten them out. Maybe some loopies framing the signatures? Your loopies in the sashings look great and the whole quilt is wonderful....your co-worker will love it!!
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Sometimes that works itself out once the quilt is washed. Great job. The key, in my opinion, to a wonderful quilt is not perfection, it is the love that is stitched throughout.
Originally Posted by scu114
(Post 5217276)
Thanks for replies. I tried to baste it and I thought my top looked so nice when I finished. I did pins and hand basted. I think with all the pushing and moving in the machine-loosened it-- is that possible? I need to know for next time right? lol
I did the loopy di loop design FM-- just in the green sashings down and across. The blocks are 5 inch blocks. quilting lines make a 6 1/2 inch grid on the back. If I do the SID- do I go all around the outside and inside the 5 inch block or in each of the blocks within the 5 inch block? Do I do this with a walking foot or free motion foot? I like the idea of the serpentine stitch -- where would you do that? I am just beside myself as I was asked to do this for a friend and I couldn't say no-even though they knew I am just learning and now I fear I have made a mess of it. Thanks for helping me make it presentable. |
Originally Posted by crashnquilt
(Post 5217245)
Stitch In the Ditch would definately take care of most if not all of your problem. From the looks of it, you might not have basted enough.
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Yes, the first quilt I ever did had this problem in the larget center block which happened to be a print so I outline quilted each of the center blocks. Since this is a signature type, why not use some straight line quilting like diamonds, or spaced lines around the signature blocks. If you are really ambitious you could stipple, but straight spaced pattern would go faster.:)
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