Piecing on a frame with a mid/long arm
 

Hi everyone,
I made a search to find a post about this subject on the forum but couldn't find any. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who got this idea one morning!
I made already a few baby strip quilt with the QAYG method (piecing the strip on the batting and the backing). I would like to find a way to do the same on my frame; the idea is to use my Sweet16 more often (I love it!) and be able to offer a lower cost product at my next craft fair (it's in the summer so I'm thinking picnic blanket).
I could put a backing and a batting on the frame and then piece strips or square on it, but how to press? I can't unloaded everything each time!
Any tips, tricks or idea?
Thanks!

Interesting concept but not sure how it would work. I am not a good one to think outside the box since I have been quilting so long and stick with the old fashion ways of quilting. Our church group received strips of flannel and I suggested to sew the strips and successful made cute rag quilts. Take some scraps and try. You can always donate the quilt (if not successful) to an animal rescue group because dogs are not quilt critics !!

I just googled "piecing on a Longarm" and got several hits. This blog seems to have instructions for several methods. I did not go into each one. I am thinking you can only do "quick and dirty" type piecing (like string blocks or strippy quilts) which wouldn't have a need for pressing after every seam. I don't think you would be able to anything complex like stars. Also the one I opened appeared to be raw edges exposed seams but the strippy ones had the seams encased. It was the same method you would use for the "fun and done" method in a string quilt.

https://threadtales.wordpress.com/in...on-the-system/

What an interesting idea. Maybe you wouldn't have to do more than finger press between the strips to make sure there are no wrinkles at the seam. Once you wash it, maybe it will work out fine. I agree to give it a go and see.

i find it interesting, too. i think i'd make a small pressing square thingy [technical term LOL] and place it under that area, perhaps on top of the machine arm, or the lollipop platform if you have one, and press with the small clover iron? just a thought.

Here's an idea that works for me. I haven't pieced a quilt, but I HAVE had to press the seam on the backing.

I never press the backings before I lay them on the machine, I use a STEAMER. I found a steamer at a garage sale. It's one you can tip forward (friend bought one that dumps the water when tipping -- ugh). When I have a quilt back that's been pieced, I run the steamer across holding with one hand, and holding the seam apart with the other.... :) :) never burned myself either. Works great for that! I suggest it for all the people I've taught. Beats pressing a 108" wide backing!!!! But it would work on the QAYG quilts.

That's what I was thinking too. Great minds, haha.

I've done this on several quilts. I sew the strip down after carefully laying the new strip on top of the already sewn-down strip. I actually bring my iron over to the machine and iron the piece so that the seam is not at all bunched, etc. After the seam is sewn and ironed, I may do a quilting pattern across the strip. Then, I just keep repeating the process. I was unsuccessful in my attempt to add a photo; sorry.

If I summerize, the steam of my iron should do most of the pressing job? Can't wait to try. I'll do it this week, take pictures of the process and make a post!

Here's a blog post and tutorial I remember seeing for QAYG on a longarm http://mmmquilts.blogspot.com/2015/0...you-quilt.html and here it a link to the tutorials she references https://threadtales.wordpress.com/in...on-the-system/

HTH,

Michelle