What helpful hints can you share for machine quilting. With a first timer
I'm going to quilt a baby crib quilt. I have top,backing, hobs warm and
natural batting thin and 505 spray. I use a elna 6001 (?) quilters edition
I have a walking foot. Do I change stich length, drop feed dogs, start in
the middle? These are just a few questions. I plan on doing some
research but figured this was the best place to start.

Thanks everyone,
Texasquilts

I assume you are doing straight line quilting? Then just put that quilt in that machine, in it's center...and quilt!:))If you are doing straight line, then remember to switch the direction you are quilting. If you continue to start and stop/end at the same direction, it can pull or move your quilt off center. Does that make sense? I just taught a friend how to stipple w/an open toe foot and the dawgs were down. She did it like a baby to candy. You will love the freedom to finish your own on your own time and check book!:))(more fabric money!) Know that this is not difficult. Anything different just seems sometimes scary-but you will do fine! Do keep us updated for those that are ready to embark too! And, remember...put some good music on and breathe! You will do super! Skeat

Hey Texas!
I machine quilted for the first time about a month ago, despite thread tension problems and being a newbie it was a blast! I can't help with any technical advice but I second Skeat's about putting on good tunes and remembering to breath!! :D
Zoo

Grab some scrap fabric, maybe 18"x18". Muslin is great to practice on. Make a quilt sandwich (top, batting, backing). Put it together like you are going to do on the real quilt, 505 spray, pins, or whatever method you use.

Then: Practice. Find what works for YOU. And practice some more.

I'm on my 3rd BOLT of muslin for long arm practice. I wish I'd done some practicing (I did none) when I was using my DSM (home machine). Some of my earlier quilts would have turned out a lot better, instead of looking like practice pieces. Some people can just dig in, and it looks great. I just wasn't one of them!

I'm reading all the tips I can find on machine quilting . I just haven't been brave enough to jump in yet . Soon perhaps . Thanks , keep the tips coming please . Annie

Practice, practice first. Pin well, even though you use the spray.

When I meander, I start in the middle and work outwards. When I stitch in the ditch, I start at the center top; just my way is all.

I just did my first quilt last month too. Few things I found helpful:
1- sandwich some scrappys and practice to get the feel of quilting.
2-play some relaxing tunes
3-don't forget to bring the bobbin thread up, it makes your life so much easier.
I liked using a sharp needle size 90/14 for quilting.
4-you do not need your feed dog down with a walking foot.
5- start in the center and work your way our smoothing the layers as you do so.
6-try not to pull or push, let your walking foot do the work for you, a pair of gloves helps with that.
7- finally, remember, it will look beautiful and have a character now matter what.

Enjoy!

Quilting gloves work well and if you want to do free motion machine quilting practive drawing on a paper. I took a free motion quilting class and it was great.

Everyone has such wonderful hints. I only use my walking foot when quilting straight lines. Always start from the center and work out to the edges. Use an open toe foot and drop the feed dogs if you want to stipple. Most important relax and let yourself enjoy what you are doing. Each quilt I do is getting better and better.

Thank each and everyone of you for all the great hints. It looks it might
be a couple of weeks before I can start quilting my quilt. I will pratice
as suggested. I just finished the top and decided to add a border.
Will post picture of top when I get the border on.

Quilt on....
Texasquilts

Hi TexasQuilt: PRACTICE...just exactly like Shelly said to do. I took a quilting class several years ago and they had us bring several 18 x18 inch sandwiched sqares to practice on. We stippled, straight lined, feathered, etc. and we also did what someone else said, draw the quilt pattern on paper and go over and over it so you are practicing the "flow" of the pattern. I'm not a great quilter yet but someday I plan to be and I follow the class training hints I got. The other thing, the little gloves with the non-skid dots on them are GREAT! I wouldn't attempt quilting without the gloves as they make the job so much easier. I'll dig out my practice squares and attache them so you can see what we did in that class.

One last thing, my personal preference is using a bit longer stitch to quilt than when I'm sewing my blocks together. I just think the longer stitch looks more attractive. I don't know if there is a set in stone rule for stitch length, I just tried different lengths and went with what I liked best.

Hi TexasQuilt: Here are my practice quilt pictures. I've gotten better since I did these but it was the very first time I'd ever quilted and I learned lots from the class.