Hello,

I am a Tennessee Vol. I have been sewing for many years, but I have never machine quilted a quilt. Where do you start on a quilt when machine quilting?

Tennessee Rose

I am in the same boat. I also want to start machine quilting. But the couple times I have tried. I did not like the results.

I have taken several classes making blocks, but I have never quilted. My grandmother quilted with her hands. I do not have time for that. I need a dummy book on quilting.

You start in the middle and work outwards.

Thank you so much.

There are many places on the internet that have beginner tutorials (free) that might be helpful. One such website is
http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/

Me too.

So far I have only done stitch-in-the-ditch and straight-line grid quilting. Have not ventured into free motion but that's my goal for this year.

I roll up half the quilt and start in the center working along the lines to the edge. Then I reroll the quilted side and do the other side. Same with the other direction. I actually like the way they come out and they wash fabulously, but then, mine are utility quilts - no muss no fuss.

OK...even though you did say you were a Vols fan...and I'm a Memphis fan...I will help you just as if you hadn't told me... :lol: :lol: :wink:

When machine quilting...I generally loosely wad up one side of the quilt...stuff it into the throat of the machine and start with the straight line quilting in a place fairly close to the middle of the quilt. I do all the straight line quilting first- from the center sections outwards. This "locks" the fabric in place so to speak for me. After I have all the sections straight line (in the ditch) quilted, I will go back to do my other designs.
Good luck with your quilt...would love to see your pics of it!

I always start in the middle and work my way out.