Quilting - assembly line style or as you go?
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 952
I am like NJ Quilter. I have several projects going at one time. One that I can hand quilt in the evening. Another that I am cutting, another that is being machine quilted. Another on the floor that I am working on the binding. Just went to the local quilt shop and got the material to start the next one after the one that I have at the LA back which I will then hand bind it!! I work on them in tandem and whatever I feel like that day or hour. I can work on a quilt at the drop of a hat or go for a walk or shopping or calling the grandchild and/or my mother. I just "love" being retired ;-)
#15
I live in a small mobile home. I have a very tiny area in my BR that I set up a small folding table with my featherweight to piece. It's usually set up. I also cut there, which is sometimes difficult, but I do it anyway. Quilting is another matter. I do not have enough space to keep set up all the time. I use the enclosed porch when I can, but can't stay set up for long. It gets humid and the lighting is terrible. I've got a window AC, but I don't like to leave my machine out there when I'm not using it. It takes so long to move the exercise stuff aside that I only quilt on weekends, and only if not babysitting. So I tend to work assembly line. Piecing whenever I can thru the week and quilting when I can on the weekends. I am almost done with quilting my 4th quilt in 2 weeks. One is done and gone as a gift, 1 is for me 2 are Christmas gifts, of those, 1 needs binding, 1 almost done quilting. I will probably be back to piecing for awhile after these are done.
There's nothing wrong with either method. You just do what works for you!
There's nothing wrong with either method. You just do what works for you!
#16
i usually have a couple things on the go too. right now, i have one very near completion that is wholly machine quilted, a hand quilting journey that's maybe 1/3 of the way done and a basted but untouched queens sized lone star that will ultimately have both hand and machine stitching.
i am planning my brother's quilt and just waiting to begin another scrappy project. plus there are two labels outstanding and and and....
once i cut though the piecing takes over. i always want to see it done you know?
aileen
i am planning my brother's quilt and just waiting to begin another scrappy project. plus there are two labels outstanding and and and....
once i cut though the piecing takes over. i always want to see it done you know?
aileen
#17
I am still trying to recover from the stack of quilts I built up while waiting for my long arm machine to arrive (and now, for me to get good enough to put a "good" quilt on the frame). Usually, I like to have only one in the piecing stage at any time - but that doesn't count block of the month quilts (I have 4 going right now). Before I had a long arm, I would finish the quilting on one before starting another - because I didn't want to switch my machine back and forth. Now, with 2 separate machines (and rooms) for those 2 stages, I find I am much more likely to start piecing a new top before the previous one is quilted. Trying to stop that, but those new designs are so tempting ....
#18
I like to make a few tops and then quilt them all. I like jumping around from project to project. It might be just the change of fabric or procrastination. I have a pile of quilts at all different stages. Some I leave behind when I'm quilting, just because I don't feel like doing them now. They will get done eventually. I don't usually make things for any special occasion. I grab out of the pile of stuff that is done.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 2,679
I usually get anywhere from 3-6 tops done, then stop and quilt them on my long arm, then make some more tops. Since binding is my least favorite to do, I have to get my self in the mood to do that. So I usually have a large stack of them to get done at a time. I keep trying to convince my self to not put it off, but not doing to well
#20
I finish my large projects completely except for a few rare times when I need to interrupt the process to do a last minute request for a project.
Having said that I usually have 3 projects going at once. One(sometimes more than one) I'm dreaming and planning for by selecting the fabric or drawing out an idea for a project. I have a quilt notebook that I write my plans for each project in and then write notes/details about the project as I do it. That way I don't forget what I planned and I have a record of the details in case I want to make another like it.
Then I have one I'm actively working on and a third one that I'm hand binding in the evening, making a label for it,washing it and then photographing it.
I use the assembly line method when I'm making multiples of one small project such as placemats, makeup bags etc.
I'm also hand piecing hexagon flowers for a GFG that I'm working on. I do these when I'm watching TV or traveling. That's a 2-4 yr project That I'm having fun with. I plan on having it hand quilted when completed.
I think each person works in the way that is most comfortable to them, doing the things they enjoy most.
Having said that I usually have 3 projects going at once. One(sometimes more than one) I'm dreaming and planning for by selecting the fabric or drawing out an idea for a project. I have a quilt notebook that I write my plans for each project in and then write notes/details about the project as I do it. That way I don't forget what I planned and I have a record of the details in case I want to make another like it.
Then I have one I'm actively working on and a third one that I'm hand binding in the evening, making a label for it,washing it and then photographing it.
I use the assembly line method when I'm making multiples of one small project such as placemats, makeup bags etc.
I'm also hand piecing hexagon flowers for a GFG that I'm working on. I do these when I'm watching TV or traveling. That's a 2-4 yr project That I'm having fun with. I plan on having it hand quilted when completed.
I think each person works in the way that is most comfortable to them, doing the things they enjoy most.
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