Quilting On A Home Machine
 

I know this has probably been asked a ZILLION times, but what's the largest you've quilted on a home, non-quilting machine?

The reason why I ask is I really want to make quilts for my Aunts for Christmas, however paying someone to do the quilting for me is a bit out of the question as it will severely put me over budget. Originally, my sister's MIL offered to do any quilting of mine for cheap/free when she first got her long-arm machine. Things have changed for whatever reason and now the cost to have two lap quilts done is way out of my budget.

The quilts are approx 60" x 76" each, and I'm probably going to just do SITD since I don't have a FMQ foot for my machine. I've got a Janome Sewist 525s as my primary sewing machine, but I do also have a Brother PC-6500 Embroidery/Sewing Combo Unit that has a slightly larger throat (but not by much) but I don't have a walking foot for that one.

I guess I'm just looking to see if ya'll think it's possible for me to quilt these suckers on my own without having to send it out to be done.

I've quilted one king and a number of queens on my regular sewing machine. It isn't easy, but it is certainly doable. Good luck.

SID would work. I've done queen size on my Pfaff. I couldn't FMQ something that big with it. You would definitely want to use the walking foot.

The largest I have quilted is a California King. I cut the batting in thirds, quilted the middle section, then added the batting to the sides and quilted them. My machine has a 7" space for the quilt. With cutting the batting, I did not have a problem with the machine area. My biggest problem was not as much space on the left side of my machine as I would have liked. I put a TV tray on the left and that helped somewhat. I do have lots of table space behind my machine. I try to quilt all of my quilts that are twin size and smaller. I use a combination of stitching in the ditch and FMQ. Best wishes with your quilting. I am sure you can do it.

Good advise from DJ...walking foot a must have! There are things you can do without FM...XXX's - lines, I have done flowers in blocks by making an S from corner to opposite corner then mirror that to make 2 petals and the same in the other 2 corners. I bet if you search around you can find more ideas.

I have a Janome 6600 so I think I have a 9" throat - I've FMQ'd a huge king-size quilt (full 10' square) on that one. THAT was a chore!

On my prior little machine (Brother CS6000i), largest I did on that one was a twin and that was not much trouble. I think I could have done a double sized quilt but probably not much larger than that...at least not without a lot of work and swearing.

I've done queen size on my small Brother machine....just simple straight line quilting and SITD. I also have done quilting just ouitside the ditch. Maybe you could use some of the fancy stitches that are on your machine.I like to do a fancy stitch...think it's called herringbone stitch...and quilt right on the seam. My friend uses a double needle and quilts either side of the seam.

As WandaVA said...it isn't easy but it is doable.

One possibility is to quilt in sections. I did this until I bought a longarm. I used Marti Michell's book, Machine Quilting in Sections, to learn various ways to do it. I quilted an oversize king, 118x188, that way.

I've done a King on my White machine and I had to just remember to keep it rolled up. I took the class on Craftsy for
doing large quilts on a home machines and she showed how to do in three's and cut the batting in 3 sections but when you cut curve it and then you can either tape the sections together or zig zag hand stitch back together and I'm going to try it on the quilt I'm going to do now it's a King and I think it'll make it easier. Hope this helps you a little. Sue

King size. I've done 3 of them - 2 on a machine with a 7" harp and 1 on a machine with an 11" harp. Granted, the larger harp made it easier, but anything smaller than king size is a piece of cake. I'm not familiar with either of your machines, but a lap size quilt on either of them should be a piece of cake. I know I can do a lap size on my Brother machine which only has a 5 1/4" harp. Personally I find fmq a lot easier than sid on a small machine.

I've done as large as queen size. The key is to use a thin, low loft batting. Once I finally figured that out, machine quilting a large quilt got easier.

Have you considered a quilt as you go method? If I read your post correctly you haven't made the quilts yet, QAYG is one method to quilt. The nice thing about QAYG, when you are done constructing the quilt you are done quilting it at the same time. I used the Fun and Done method from Bayside quilting on the quilt that I made. It turned out lovely. Bayside quilting has several patterns available if you need a pattern. I made my own pattern, but, if you need a pattern, they have several for sale.

You should be able to do SID on that size on your machine. I have done straight line and SID on double size quilts on mine.. It can be tiring wrangling the quilt around especially when you are working on the middle sections, so take frequent breaks!

it's definitely possible... just a lot of pulling and pushing through that throat. i try to quilt with the majority of the quilt hanging out the front whenever possible

The two quilts I'm needing to do are:

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Both of which I think I can do just simple, straight stitching on. I don't have a FMQ foot for either of my machines, so that's really my only choice at the moment :( HUBBY actually suggested we go down to the one sewing machine shop we have nearby and check out their used machines. HE actually suggested we start looking at a bigger machine for me :) I'm not quite sure if that's the route we need to go down right this minute, but I was impressed that he even suggested it. Lol

I have quilted dozens of queen size quilts on my Bernina. You just need support on your left side and you need support behind your sewing machine. Then you don't have any problem with the weight of a quilt. I look at these ads for sit down Long arm sewing machines and it just doesn't make any sense. A larger harp is convenient but not necessary.

If you want the look in the first quilt, then a LAQ with a frame is maybe what you need. I would have just crosshatched the Lattice quilt. The other quilt is just stitch in the ditch and slightly parallel to the ditch. Good Luck with making a decision.

I have made and quilted over 20 queen size quilts on my Domestic Size Bernina. My latest, a 100x110, I FMQ a rose and leaf pattern all over.
The trick is to have a large level surface. A way to keep your quilt on that surface (I used clamps around my desk) and you "nest" the quilt and work on an area in the nest.[ATTACH=CONFIG]476211[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]476212[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]476213[/ATTACH]

I've made several quilts around 80 inches on my Brother that has a 5.5 inch harp. Some SID, some straight line quilting. It's definitely not easy but can be done. I've tried quilting in sections and splitting the batting, I like splitting the batting so much more. Good luck!

I hate to keep bringing up the subject but you could hand quilt them. If the tops are already made you have more than six months to get the quilting done. You might be amazed how easy it really is. You could watch TV or spend time with friends and family while you are working. The second one would be extremely easy. You would just have to quilt 1/4 inch on either side of the pieced seams. Just use the seam allowance for your guide. Just think how amazed and grateful your aunts would be. If you don't have a quilting frame you could just use a large embroidery hoop. They sell plastic snap together quilting frames in JoAnns. Look in the quilt supply section.

i've done a SITD queen on a janome 6600....that's a 9" harp....just be patient......Leah Day has some you tubes on how to do it......

I have done at least 12 (twelve) 120 x 120. I start in one corner and work my way around the quilt in about a 10 inch swathe. I work from the outside into the middle. That is what works best for me :) Good luck! I do not SITD - it is too confining to me, I meander.

Sorry for double post.

Wow Jim's Gem! I am very impressed with your quilting. It is beautiful! I have a 9" throat on my machine and struggle with quilting lap size quilts. (although I have done lots) I just persevere and eventually get it done but it is not fun. Do you have a stitch regulator on your machine or did you just get super good with practise?

Oh my goodness, cutting the batting and quilting it in thirds is brilliant! How do you attach the next batting after quilting the center section? I guess you have to spray or glue baste to do it this way?

I quilt (free motion) on my Babylock Quest. The largest I have done is 50 x 70

I think it is very possible. I have probably quilted 50 quilts about that size on my machine. I usually SID or sew a straight line, following blue painter's tape that I position where I want it, sometimes diagonal. Though, to be truthful, diagonal is harder for me.

I would use Warm and Naturalbatting, where you can have your stitches as far apart as ten inches, though 8 inches is as far as I have tried. I am not a fan of really close stitching, but that is just me.

Position your ironing board perpendicular to the left of your sewing machine to help hold the quilt sandwich and keep the weight off of your needle, and if you don't have any surface room behind your sewing machine, it might be handy to put a card table there or something....all to support weight.

I find it very rewarding to quilt on my machine. I am also too stingy to pay to have it done. I admit I currently have a machine with an eleven inch throat, but the one I used before that was 8 inches. As long as I could keep the quilt's weight supported, I could quilt pretty easily. Sometimes I roll the quilt, and sometimes it is just easier to not.

You can do this. If I can, anyone can.

Dina

I have done free motion quilting on a home machine for years. I now use a Juki-98Q which is a mid arm. I've done up to a king size.
You shouldn't have any problem doing a quilt on yours.

If your husband suggested machine shopping take him up on the offer! I'm not saying you have to buy a machine but you can try out several different machines and he can learn about the differences in machines. To most men a sewing machine is a sewing machine is a sewing machine. They don't think there is a whit of difference between a good machine and a discount store machine. BTW - I also have a PC-6500. It is a good machine but it isn't happy doing FMQ.

I have done 2 king size but, I have the PC 8200 by brother. Here is a thought, I have a hard time doing SITD for some reason and I don't care for it. OK, Find your serpentine stitch. The one that is a straight stitch but sews in an S. Mark a 45 degree angle on the quilt . I use masking tape for this. Sew your lines about 6 in. apart in one direction and then do it again in the other making a grid an the quilt. I do this a lot on my smaller quilts and it looks really good.

This is definitely doable on your home machine. I quilted my first quilt, which was at least a king, on my Janome which had about a 7 inch throat. I just did SITD, but it got the job done and the aunt and uncle I gave it to were perfectly happy.

Since doing this I've learned all kinds of ways to use my machine's straight stitch to do other than SITD. For example, making wavy lines that gently curve makes a big difference and adds a little more pizzazz than SITD.

Have at it and have fun!

As a beginner I quilted (SID) on a 60x75 with no problems. I took my time, and made sure the quilt was nicely supported to keep it from dragging while sewing. The quilt I did was for the family room and has been washed at least 20 times so far and all is well. I think as long as you can keep the weight of the quilt supported, you will do just fine.

I love both your patterns and am currently working on the lattice quilt myself. Good luck.

I do have a BSR foot on my Bernina.
I use Warm and Natural Batting
I spray baste, it works best for me
I also start in the upper right corner and work my way over, down and around.

THANK YOU ALL!!!! I really appreciate all the tips and support! I think I have the confidence to try it :D

I bought Warm & Natural batting this weekend at JoAnns (they had queen sized for $14.99!!) for each of them, and I'm planning on buying the top fabrics once I finish a couple of projects on my ever-growing "to do" list. Lol. It was a promise I made my Hubby, but since they're for gifts it shouldn't count right? He he he

King on my janome mc 10001. I chose not to stitch in ditch because of turning it. I did cross stitches,and around the drop, straight stitches, on the length of bed. Oh, about a walking foot apart on the straight stitches. I did a search on my computer for quilting straight stitches, and all these gorgeous quilts appeared. I am going to finish my next king with even more, because I love the look.

I've completed two queen size quilts....it's not easy, but def. can be done. I love the feeling I get when I truly completed the quilt from start to finish. My latest quilts for my boys, they are their forever quilts, and they know that I made them, for THEM!

If you do a QAYG you can do any size you want very easily. I love this method and use it a lot. But you can do it the other way, just work slowly from the center out and try to have it lay flat as possible and not drag over the sides of the table you're using.

I have done a 101x101 on my Brothers 1500- the larger the quilt the harder it is but also the cheaper it is. (FREE) I use spray basting-( 505 now avaliable at Joanns) which make the quilt much lighter and easier to move around that using pins.

Also using a batting that requires farther apart stitch such a W&N is a good idea.

Also the Bernina store in Twinsburg rents out its long are for use at a hourly rate. You need to take a class on how to use the machine but then you can do your own FMQ on it. Cost?????? not sure but may be worth checking into.

I've done king size quilts on my DSM, not easily though, that's for sure.

A timely question....just fmqing on my janome 6600p a 92 x 92 quilt. To be fair I kind of used qayg by splitting it into quarters. Take your time with it - plan it - and most important enjoy it!