Carla P

Vicki is on to something... You could quilt each square on your machine using denim thread and with all of the different colors available (denim thread colors) you could choose to quilt each block with a different color. That might get a little pricey, so you could always use a high contrast color like red or denim gold to really bring it all together. Like Vicki suggested, you could do the crosshatch through the center of each block (X), which would be a pretty quick and simple method, or you could quilt it in the ditch, or any way you choose. Just remember to baste your layers together VERY well because that heavy denim may want to shift a good bit (someone more experienced with denim can tell you better than me how it is going to act when sanwiched). I would highly recommend a walking foot if you will be using your feed dogs or a free motion/darning foot if not. And, consider the weight of the quilt as you mentioned before. You are going to have to be able to handle it throughout the entire quilting process, and the more you quilt, the heavier it is going to be. I am most definitely not trying to discourage you, only remind (or warn if you've never heard) you of the extra weight the quilting will add. I guess my point for it would be to say less (quilting) is sometimes more.

vicki reno

Also, if possible try to position a chair or two to support the weight of the quilt as it goes out the back side of the preser foot. the weight hanging off the machine, and/or table will pull ate the quilt, and make it difficult to sew. The chairs or a table will help support the quilt. If you are unsure if you can sew a striaight line, I can't, the you could use blue painters tape or regular ole masking tape if you want to have good straight lines. Just position the tape and sew to one side of it. I have used that techinque lots and its a lot better than trying to mark a quilting line. If you have access to a sewing notions store, check out the varigated or multicolored thread. That will add some pazzaz to the look.
Let us see how it comes out!

sarah333

i've done three denim quilts,and it wasn't bad to quilt down at all.a bit heavy yes .but hey their worth it once your under it .i've used the lighter batting and we 're all ready in the 90's here.and i'am still sleeping under it tia sarah

Flying_V_Goddess

I think all that left me with more questions than answers, which I guess isn't a bad thing since there's so many people here to provide answers to those questions.

1. What about "stitch in the ditch"? Actually, what exactly is stiching in the ditch? Isn't that where you sew in-between where two pieces meet?

2. What's a walking foot? Well, I know what it is, but not sure what it does. And what sort of disadvantage would I be at for not having one?

3. There's no way in Hell I'd be able to set up a chair to deal with the weight of the quilt. My room is pretty small and the only space I was able to set up a sewing machine was in-between the mattress and the coffee table that has piles of notebooks and other paper-related products stacked on it (they have no where else to go!) The actual sewing space is probably about 36"x72". So given the amount of space I have to work with there's no way I could set up something to deal with the weight. But...with the quilt being almost 3 quarters of the way done, its starting to get pretty weighty and becoming a little bit difficult to deal with. Is there anything I can do?

4. Need suggestions on basting. Never tackled it because I didn't know I really needed to do it and the other quilt was so small that it I really didn't have any problems with shifting anyways.

Carla P

Ok... Stitching in the ditch is actually going right along side of the seam where the 2 pieces are joined. I have also heard it explained as stitching right on the seam as you asked, but I have also heard this can cut the joining threads if you have your seams pressed open.

A walking foot sort of acts like feed dogs for the top of your quilt to insure all 3 layers feed at the same speed (the backing doesn't reach the finish line before the batting and then the top).

As far as your space issue, is there any way you could stack those books and such on the floor beside the coffee table you sew on and let your quilt rest on those ? You just don't want too much of it hanging down away form your machine. Anything would work as long as your quilt can drape onto it. You will know if you need to put something there immediately because you will feel the weight pulling at the needle area as you are trying to quilt it... you'll be wresteling with it. If you have enough table top space, you can pile the majority of the quilt's weight around your machine, it will just require adjusting the quilt more often and good basting.

As for basting, safety pins placed every couple of inches work very well. If you do not have safety pins, grab a needle and some contrasting thread (different color than the quilting thread) and hand baste it the old fashioned way. Divide your quilt into quarters (mentally) and begin at the center sewing out to the edges first forming a cross then from the center out again, this time forming an X. After that, baste as many additional radiating lines as necessary to secure the sandwich together. I make stitches about every inch or so, but others may have better information about this basting method.

Flying_V_Goddess

Okay...stiching right in the seam would be a bad idea since my seams are pressed open.

I can't really take all that stuff off the coffee table. Too many paper products, too little floor space. Believe me, I would of already cleared the coffee table except I don't have any place to put everything. Other than my sewing area the only real space is right in front of the bedroom door. Can't really pile the weight around the sewing machine either...working on a TV tray. Man, this... really... sucks.

On top of all that I just discovered I'm missing almost 45 denim squares. Either I'm really bad at counting or I misplaced them. I don't think I counted wrong because I counted and recounted before I started quilting and doubled checked that I needed an x-amount of squares. But I've practically disected my room trying to look for them and so far nothing has come up. All I know is I need to find them soon because I only have enough to make two full rows...and I can get that done easy tonight. *scream* Has this happened to anyone else?

Carla P

Yup... Do you have dogs??? (my dogs like to claim anything smaller than them & made of cloth.

I find quilt blocks for past projects all of the time.

Here's an idea... Do you have another tv tray?

Flying_V_Goddess

Nope. There hasn't been a dog in this house since Nov. '05 (I miss Buddy *sniff). And I doubt the cat would drag anything...besides, she's been spending her sweet time outside.

Yeah, I have several TV trays. What did you have in mind? Can't place one to either side of me, though, since there's a coffee table with enough paper products to kill a tree to my left and a matress to my right.

Carla P

Ok then, well how about you fold them down and stack one or more on top of the paper mountain & allow the quilt to drape onto there. If they have the removable legs, take them off & stack only the tops on the table. You could even fold another quilt to lay under the tops of the trays... anything to create height for the drape to rest on. That's all...

Where there is a will, there is a way. You're an artist, right? Be creative. And if all else fails, fake it until you make it!!

Flying_V_Goddess

The paper mountain is...well, a paper mountain so its not level so I run the risk of knocking it over with that.

The only thing I can think of is to take the mattress and lean it up against the wall so I can move the TV tray with the sewing machine so I can have room to place another TV tray to deal with the weight. Plus, I'll be right in front of the TV :D. But I don't like the idea of raising the mattress and putting it back every single night. Guess its back to the drawing board.