Quilting frame??
 

I am new here. I know how to sew but don't do it very well. But now I'm going to try a baby quilt for my first grandchild. This will be a cheaters quilt. The quilt top has already been pieced together. I plan to use pre-quilted batting piece for the middle. Is that a good idea? So really, all I have to do is put the three layers together and bind.

I want to tye this quilt. I am no different than most of you in that I am limited on space and since I'm not sure if I will enjoy quilting (or be any good at it), I don't want to spend a lot of money of supplies until I'm sure. I would appreciate any suggestions on what type of frame/hoop to get. I will most likely be purchasing used so is there anything I should watch out for. I mean do they get damaged over time and how would you know?

I really appreciate any input you can give.

Thanks,

Amy

You do not need a frame or hoop if you are going to tie the quilt.

Are you planning to machine tie or hand tie? How close together? If hand tying, you can just lay the sandwich on a table. If machine tying, it would be a good idea to spray baste (You can search the board for threads about spray basting.) or perhaps glue-baste with some Elmer's white school glue (again, search the board for threads on glue basting).

By pre-quilted batting, I am thinking you mean pre-quilted fabric that has batting inside. It is meant for backing things like potholders and would not normally be used as the batting portion of a 3-layer sandwich. However, I don't see why it couldn't be used as you propose. It will stay together even if your ties are far apart.

I plan to hand tie as my sewing machine is caput - tornado hit the room it was in. I really don't have a place to lay it out and keep it out while I work on it. That's why I was thinking a frame might help. I will definitely research spray basting.

Yes the pre-quilted fabric with batting inside is what I want to use. I thought the same thing - that this would work if the ties were far apart. I am currently looking at two patterns - one that has ties at the intersections of each square and another that has ties in the center of each square.

Any suggestions on how best to tie?

Thanks so much!!

A lot of people like the Q-Snap frame. For a baby quilt, you wouldn't need to baste if you use the Q-Snap. Here is a link to one:
http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-39-Inch-...dp/B001D87YX4/

If I were to purchase one of these used, would there be anything that I would need to watch out for?

Ive never used a frame to tie and neither has a friend and she ties all her quilts! I just pin it real well so i dont have to worry , just like you ddo for all quilts. I use embroidery thread, friend uses yarn. I JUST USE THESURGEONS KNOT SO IT WONT COME UNDONE. WRAP AROUND TWICE BEFOBEFORE YOU KNOT IT THRU. oops. sorry bout caps. not yelling.

Caps do not offend me in the least. So I'm going to go with the no frame idea and see how that works for me.

Thanks for all your input!

I would suggest putting your ties about a hand-width apart in each direction. That should keep everything from shifting too much. And do a double knot as Painiacs suggest.