MollieSue

Using as an example - I was just admiring MaryStoaks 'Turning Twenty' quilt she posted pictures of. And I know most of you quilt just as beautifully!
My question - How is that done? Would I (if only I could. haha) be able to do that kind of quilting on my regular plain jane Brother sewing machine? Or do you need a more high tech machine? And do you all draw the pattern on, and then follow it?
I'm trying to quilt the green ribbon quilt I made, and am having a time with it just stitching in the ditch!
I would just love to think someday I could do this type of quilting too.
:-)

Shadow Dancer

Yes you can Diana, just keep practicing. :)

MollieSue

Thank you Shadow, for the vote of confidence! :wink: So this type of quilting is done using a regular type sewing machine?

Shadow Dancer

If you can doodle on paper, you can free motion with your sewing machine, it just takes practice. :)

MollieSue

So the type of quilting MaryStoaks did, as an example, is referred to as free motion too? I thought that referred to more of the meandering, stippling, etc?

Maride

Hi Diana, in general, any form of quilting that is not a straight line is considered free motion. You can follow a particular pattern or you can do your own thing. For example, I like stipples, which is squiggly lines that never cross each other, or loops, which is just that, loops. Sometimes I just outline the borders of the design printed on the fabric. For the machine, I use my old Bernina that is 30 years old. You can use almost any domestic machine, but you need to practice a lot and test the setitng on your machine. There is no magic number I can tell you that will make it work for you, but you need to adjust the tension on your machine, almost for every quilt. Any little thing can affect the results. I find that different thickness of batting affect the final look of your quilting. Also, how heavy your quilt is. If you have a small table and try to quilt a big heavy quilt, the weight of the quilt will pull and change the tension. As you can see there are many variables that to consider.

As mentioned before, the best thing to do is to practice. It will get better with time. I sell many quilts and have my own online store for my quilts, and 6 years ago I walked out of a machine quilting class because I couldn't do it.

Good luck,

Maria

MollieSue

Thanks Maria!
I've been searching on here for hints, and am wishing I could find a tutorial.
What is the reason for changing the tension? Looser stitches? I've never change my tension before, it's not something I could get messed up if I did?
I did see a link for 'Batts In The Attic', to see all her hints. One was to always use low loft batting. I, of course, bought high loft because it was cheapest! So now I know why my green ribbon quilt is looking so puffy, as I'm quilting it in the ditch! I'm going to continue stitching it in the ditch, but then want to try some free motion in the borders....
Thanks for the hints, and for sharing about your own perserverence! (sp?)
:-)

gcathie

My quilts are all done on a longarm machine.....I tried quilting on my sewing machine....I wasn't happy with the results....the throat wasn't big enough....just had all kinds of problems....But a lot of quilters can quilt like that on there regular machines and you may be one of them ....so give it a try on a smaller quilt top and see how you do....good luck

MaryStoaks

Diana, I quilted the Turning Twenty on my Tin Lizzie, 18" machine on its frame. I can only imagine how hard it would be moving the fabric instead of the machine. My neighbor uses her DSM for stitch in the ditch and it is very nice. Before I got Lizzie I had a Handi Quilter 2 frame and used my older Bernina machine. It worked but there was so little throat space and the tension was a constant issue.
For retirement I got Lizzie second hand. We took out our kitchen table to make room and now eat in the livingroom or patio. My husband supports my addiction.
The Turning Twenty quilt is just loops, side to side. I am learning controll.
I have lots to learn about quilting techniques and I plan to ask lots of questions of the more experianced/brave quilters on this great forum.
Thanks all for the kind words,
Mary

zyxquilts

Yes Mary, you can do all kinds of quilting on your "regular" machine! As many have said already, it just takes practice. :D
Have you ever seen any of Ricky Tims quilts? I've seen him doing the "fancy" quilting on his regular Bernina! I've also seen quilters at my guild meetings - members & speakers - who have quilted BIG quilts on their 'regular' sized machines.
Personally, I think quilting in the ditch is harder than free-motion stitching :wink: I get stressed trying to stay on those straight lines! LOL