Hey guys I am making totes that say "quilt as you please" in the directions and I would like to make them look like the store bought ones that have the diamond shaped grid . How would you recommend doing that. I found this website: but would it come out straight looking on my totes? I know this is kinda confusing but I want it to look like those Vera bags I see.

http://www.ideas-for-quilting.com/di...hquilting.html

Thanks for any help in advance!

I don't know the answer to your question but I have a ton of Vera's bags :)

Ther's an attachment that looks like a bar that you can use to gage your quilting for crosshatching. It attaches to the shaft and then you line it up for each row. Hard to explain, but maybe you can find one in your attachments.

You can buy a walking foot that has a guide attached. After you do the first straight line, you line up the guide to the stitching the distance apart you want it and just follow the first line of stitching.

I have that attachment but didn't know how to use for the diamond look....do I just start in one corner that I mark? The tote is a big rectangle that I cut in half afterwards.

When I did it I used a marking pencil to make a x from corner to corner. These lines need to be very accurate because that's where you start stitching. These first lines will be your guide. Then just use your gage to follow along however far over you have decided to do the next line. You might come out with longer thinner diamonds, but that depends on the shape of your pieces. I did all one direction first and then went back and did the other direction.

I did a tote for DGD for Christmas. I marked from corner to corner and stitched on the line. I attaqched my gage to the machine and just followed the lines until it was quilted in both directions. It turned out really naat. She just loved it.

I use the blue painter's tape, just as described in the link. It works great.

Just be sure to quilt that piece before you sew the purse together. Ask me why I know.

I don't have much luck using the gauge. I mark my lines with chalk (cheap kids school white chalk) you can sharpen it in a pencil sharpener. I decide on 30 or 45 degree angles and use my 24 inch ruler to mark. I usually space my lines 1 1/2 or 2 inches apart. Mark one way and sew then turn and mark the other direction and sew.

Pat