ghostrider

So you're talking about finishing the quilt, possibly using it for awhile, and then, when you feel more comfortable with FMQ, adding more quilting way down the road? I don't see what difference the length of time between finishing and adding more quilting would make. Weeks, months, years...should make no difference to the quilt.

romanojg

The problem with doing the FMQ after the binding you will probably have a lot of bunching of the fabric. Once you bind there is no place for the fabric to go (to even out). This also why most start in the middle doing any type of quilting and working their way out to the sides. It's your quilt so you can do what you want but you may have this problem.

SewSallySew

I didn't think about the bunching puckering. I think I'll stick to some straight lines for now on this quilt. I will make some practice sandwiches.. thanks.

MimiBug123

I think I would work on my FMQing before attempting it on a piece this size. It sounds like it's a very large quilt and will be hard to move on your machine. I would start with potholders, table runners or place mats and work my way up to larger projects.

Suzette316

I've gone back and added FMQ lots of times on quilts that have already been bound, no problems! If this is your very first time doing FMQ, just practice on something prior to putting this quilt under the machine. It's easier than most people think. Just breathe! When we concentrate, we hold our breath and when we hold our breath, we tense up - not good for FMQ. So put on some music you like and hum or sing along while FMQ to keep yourself breathing and relaxed.

quilterpurpledog

I think the comments about the possibility of puckers on the backing being a problem if the binding is added before the quilting is complete is interesting-and misleading. She has already stabilized the quilt by STID. You can see if there is the possibility of puckers by looking carefully at the back after the STID. That is where the puckers would back up-not at the edge of the quilt. Personally, I do it this way all of the time. I do enjoy binding and I like to get rid of all the bulk of the added 2-4 inches all around-especially the extra batting. I think adding the quilting after the STID gives opportunity to do as intricate patterns as I want-its not daunting. Right now I am doing one with 48 squares and try to do one or two squares each day. For me the key is being very careful about the basting process. I have packed away the safety pins because of their weight and always having to stop to remove them. Sometimes I thread baste, quilt over it and them remove it when I finish. I also like the glue method.

maviskw

I did a large quilt last week, 84-92", and glue basted it with School Glue on my bed. It was on the bed sideways, and I did half at a time after I had a few pins showing where the middle was. When it was dry, it went to the sewing machine like one piece of whole cloth. I FMQ'ed the whole thing in a few hours, with not one pin to take out, and not one pucker on the back. I thinned the glue with about half water, which made it a lot easier to get out of the bottle. Didn't even have to squeeze. I will surely do that again.

HopeandFaith89

ohhhh I love the glue idea. I'm gonna try it on my next quilt.

Faith

citygirlsews

You could even do "quilt in the hoop" for each block and make it go really fast and easy. FMQ should work also.

citygirlsews

I love this glue idea!!! I use it in sewing a lot now and I love it for my quilt peojects! I just learned about this a few months ago and School Glue is a staple in my sewing studio now. Wish I had it forty years ago. My favorite use for it is to glue in knit sleves before I serge them in making American girl doll clothes. So fast and sets a perfet little sleeve.