I have a red work that I want quilted.It is a panel I bought and spent 7 years doing the embroidery. I did the stem stitch using pearl cotton.
It was my just wait project. Doc. app.,oil changes,etc.
Yesterday I took it to a church to see about having it quilted.
I looked at what they are working on. The stitches are not as perfect as I thought they should be. Not as uniform is size as I thought hand quilting should be. They have done many many quilts through the years. Am I being to fussy?
Since the picture I added another 6 inch border same as the 2 inch inside border. It is backed and pinned and ready to hand quilt in a hoop. I would have to take it apart for them to put it on their frame. I guess I need to know if I should attempt the hand quilting myself? I have never done it but think I can do as good a stitch as they. Should I take another quilt top that has not as much work in it for them to do first to see if I wold be satisfied?
I would not want to offend them and they have seen the red work quilt and could start in Feb.judith ann

if you don't feel the quality is up to your expectations then do not let them do your quilt, you'll never like it
if anyone asks about just say you're not sure if it's "done" yet and you're not sure how you want to finish it.

duh! it's beautiful! maybe you should quilt it yourself, you've put a lot into it already and that would be "icing on the cake"

With hand quilting, everyone will have a different stitch length. So, if consistancy is what you want, only one person should quilt it. That being said, even one person will have variances to the stitch length over a period of time.
It is your quilt, and you will have to decide what you want.

Thanks. I think I am going to try to do it myself.Wish me luck.j

I think finishing it yourself would be great. I love the quilt and you have so much invested in it. Do what you feel best.

I love hand quilting so I say Go for it! At least you can say you did it all by yourself! Good Luck!

Your quilt is absolutely beautiful!

I have to admit, that's the prettiest redwork quilt I've seen. I think you'd be so proud of yourself if you DO do the quilting youself. Better than being frustrated with the church group!

With 7 years of time and effort already in it I believe that you should have the best quilter you can possible afford do it or do it yourself but only ONE quilter. Even my sisters and I don't quilt alike nor do we quilt like mom did and we all learned from her. I agree with Kathy and Dungeonquilter. I think you'll be much happier with it if you do it yourself, I know I would be.

Ditto for me-I think it is stunning and would highly recommend you do it yourself. Beginning hand-quilters aren't expected to make perfect tiny stitches as long as your stitches are fairly the same size, it should be beautiful. I have hand quilted for years, and when I look at my first quilt, the stitches were much larger than I do now, but they were FAIRLY close to the same. Try practicing on scraps for a while-make sure you have the correct hand-quiting thread and between needle, and when you feel confident, start your redwork. You'll be much happier and really proud knowing you did the whole thing yourself. There are pleanty of books on hand-quilting if you don't have someone near to get you started. Good luck!!

I agree - this may be the best way to go.

Your redwork is beautiful! I would have a hard time allowing someone else to work on it. It is your "baby." Go ahead and finish it. It'll be a work of art when your finished.

sounds like a project for you to tackle yourself...then you will know about stitches, consistency, evenness...
it sounds as if no one is going to measure up to your expectations so save yourself some aggrevation and just do it yourself. you know what they say....if you want a job done right...

Judith Ann,
I agree with the others - go for it and do it yourself. The red work is so beautiful, it should be completely "yours".
Take the time to try hand quilting on another quilt or just a pillow case or something and practice a little. You can do the embroidery, so I'm quite sure you will also do a good job with hand quilting.

It is beautiful!!!!

Sure you can do it yourself. Maybe practice on some pot holders.
This looks to be a special quilt.

It's beautiful! And, I agree with Borntohandquilt, it should be completely yours.

HI Judith Ann - I have a sister with your name!! I hand quilt, and I would recommend doing it your self. That way it will be all yours - think how proud you will be.

Can these panels be purchased pre=marked?

do SO agree, it will be very relaxing when you once get into it -----best of luck.

Since you haven't hand quilted before absolutely do some small project or two, as mentioned such as pot holders or a pillow. Then you can get the feel for it. And the type of batting can affect the stitch length. Polyester type batting will be hard to get as small a stitch length as cotton or wool batting because it has a lot more loft. Maybe use some different batting in your practice pieces. (not poly in potholders!) perhaps you could make a couple of accent pillows to co-ordinate with the quilt and do some practice quilting on them.

Judging by your redwork I'm sure your quilting will be wonderful and you will get more satisfaction doing the whole quilting process yourself. I know I would. As far as inconsistencies of having a group quilt your quilt, let me just say our group (15) all different levels of hand quilting abilities on our quilts (me being one of the poorest) but somehow is all looks great inspite of or maybe because of the inconsistencies.

Your quilt is ab-SEW-lutely Breathtaking!!! I would never consider letting anyone else touch it. You've invested 7 years into a masterpiece... Your handwork is beautiful and you will have no trouble with the "hand quilting with a tad bit of practice. Uniformity is the key to beautiful hand quilting and once you get the feel of the needle you'll flow right along. And in the long run.........you will be SEW pleased with your decision to do it yourself.

I luv Redwork............ and I must say this is one of the prettiest pieces I've seen.....Thanks for sharing.


Blessings.........Anna Adelia

I bought this panel in Hannibal Mo. At the quilt shop on the street that runs east and west from the visitor center.I love that shop.
I'm not sure if they are available any longer.
I loved it immediately.
Never thinking it would take so long to finish.
The quilt lines are on the panel.
Your comments are very nice.
Thanks everyone.
You have helped me make up my mind to try hand quilting this myself. Who knows it may take a few years.j ;)

And no reason for any bad feelings. Just say watching them quilt inspired you to go home and try it yourself!!

after working on it already for 7 yrs., what's another year for hand quilting. I agree with others - you've done such beautiful embroidery work that hand quilting will not be all that hard for you.

I agree with everyone here that you should finish the quilt. If you can embroider like that you should have no problem hand quilting. It is very beautiful and I envy your embroidery skills.

If you have not hand quilted before you need to get something sandwiched that you can practice on first.

You might think it should be easy to make perfect stitches but it is not as easy as you think. I had never hand quilted before and started on a wallhanging for me.
Well my first stitches left a lot to be desired but when I got to the finish the stitches were much better.

Perfect stitches can take a lot of practice. Is there really such a thing as perfect in this world?

These are just my thoughts and observations about how hand quilting was for me. Mine isn't perfect but I absolutely love doing it.

Chris

I agree if you do not like the quilting stitches seen, you will always wish you hadn't let them quilt it. Get a square of fabric and a thin piece of batting large enough to fit into a hoop. After cutting out the fabric and batting, draw 5 lines (as straight as possible) across the top of the fabric. Put the fabric into the hoop, and then tighten the hoop using the tension control. Practice to get even stitiches. Not so much how small. Just practice,practice,practice till you are satisfied with how it looks. Then start on your quilt.

Yes, do it yourself or at least insist that it be quilted by one person. Group quilting can vary in quality. Difference in quilt quality might work in a large quilt but not likely in a small quilt.
Design is effective in red work.
I would suggest small grid in background. To grid evenly I would measure each 1" all around and then connect the dots. 1" will give you a finished grid of 3/4". It might be more effective with a smaller grid. If this is the case you can mark the edge at 3/4" which would then quilt down at about a 1/2" grid. You might also consider quilting around each of the embroidery motifs to give defination amd make the red work stand out.

Holice, thank you for this input. I was wondering how you would begin to go about quilting such a beautifully sewn top.

Judith Ann, I'm sure your end result will be stunning and I hope we get to see the finished quilt :-)

I agree with everyone you put this much work into it I would finish it myself no matter how long it took to be happy with it.

your beautiful embroidery looks like you are an accomplished needle worker. Why not do it yourself? You might enjoy hand quilting. I never thought I could do it but I hand quilted a whole Dear Jane quilt myself. (Using a hoop). You may surprise yourself - good luck.

Beautiful work........I would try quilting it myself.

That is beautiful quilt and you put so much of yourself in it, I would quilt it yourself. Just think what value that you send the generations to follow.

I don't think that I've ever seen an embroidered top with quilting on it but I must say that this is absolutely beautiful. The design is really great. Terrfic job.
Good luck, Kutnso

i certainly wouldn't take it apart to put on their frame. since you have done such wonderful work yourself, you should go ahead and finish it yourself. it won't take you as long to do that since you know you are on the home stretch now.

Pratice on something else first until you feel you have a length that you like. I had the four quilt tops that my grandmother made quilted by a church group. You can tell it was a group because the stitches are not the same. It wasn't done as well as the ones my Grandmother did. Even some of the vintage quilts I am repairing were done at the "quilting bees" aand I see the differences. I even find a knot occassionally and my Grandmother was adamant that "A quilt should never know a knot!".

Your quilt is beautful. If it doesnt feel right to have it quilted by the church follow your instint. It is so meditating to hand quilt. I like your idea of trying a different quilt to find out how it works for you. A small whole cloth quilt or a cheater panel is the best way to learn. I teach hand quilting classes. the least amount f seams is the best way to start. the red wyoming rose

Beautiful quilt. I have always wanted to do a redwork, but never have. I love to hand quilt also, so I agree with the others when they say if you do it yourself, you will be so happy you did the whole quilt.