First "floating top" quilt - Scrappy D9P
 

This is my first attempt to quilt a "real quilt" by floating the top. Also, my first "Disappearing 9 Patch," which I LOVED making. (Warning....very addictive) I had a big box of 3.5" squares of scraps and decided to make MYSELF a nap quilt with all these scrap/squares. I always made the center, middle square of the 9 patch from white, so there is a sprinkling of white throughout and then did a border of white. I hope I uploaded the pictures correctly. Haven't been on here in a while.

Why would you float it and not use the rollers?

For one thing, it is faster to begin quilting. You don't have to pin the bottom of quilt to the bar canvas.

I like to float my tops so that I can get to my batting and backing easier and smooth them out (I quilt on a Gammill Optimum/Statler Stitcher). :thumbup:

I float all my tops, :) I tried using the rollers and somehow got things all wonky. I do much better floating. Now that is with my throw sized quilts, havent tried it on a bigger one.

And if you dont have them yet, definitely invest in some snappers :p I can load a backing on my frame in 10mins with zero pins. Think the ones I got were $75, best money I ever spent!

Quilt is gorgeous too :) hugs

I float mine also. I took off that bar as I just was not using it. I have the same machine that you do.

Great looking scrappy quilt! I float all my tops too. :thumbup:

CarolynMT....I seem to always get some "wonkiness" before I'm finished, too....no matter how hard I try to get it all just right!! And, I do my borders the "correct way" too.....measuring, etc. So, I'm looking forward to keeping it straight myself, as you said. When I took the pictures, I did not have my 3 magnets on the quilt top yet....on the "belly bar." Those will definitely not let the quilt move. :) Even though I've been quilting on my HQ16 for 3 plus years, I still am not comfortable basting my quilt at the top and sides. So, by floating the top, it saves all that pinning on the quilt top bottom, and I can pin both the quilt top top and batting at the same time. Just eliminates some of the pinning for me. I will start tomorrow. I'll try to show pictures after I'm finished.

Hi

I also float my quilt tops.. nice

Don't know what floating is, but the quilt looks perfect for napping. Great Job.

Normally when you load a quilt onto a frame for long arming, you put the backing on 2 rollers, then you put one side of the top of the quilt on a roller. so the only thing hanging from the frame is the batting. As you advance the quilt on the rollers, it is supposed to keep everything aligned and straight.
Floating a top means you do not attach it to the roller. so it basically "floats", this provides the ability to shift it if needed. However, it has a drawback that it does shift ;) It is generally recommended to baste it along the top and sides, especially when you float a top. I always baste mine, more because the backing/batting are under tension, via the rollers and the clips you put on the sides to add tension in that direction. I find basting the top keeps it under tension as well, and keeps things nice and smooth.

I also float my tops. Faster to start and less chance of the top and back not being properly aligned.

If I like floating, I will be taking that bar off, too. Will be so much easier to put batting on, etc. Just wondering, does that give you anymore quilting room? Probably not....just easier to set up the quilt sandwich??? BTW, do you have the same frame? If so, just wondering what the name of this frame is called? Is it the professional studio frame or what? Mine is 12 ft.

I am so jealous of all of you discussing how you "float" the quilts you are quilting. Perhaps someday I will get there :-) By the way....that quilt is really sweet :-)

While I appreciate the explanation of floating, I don't think I'll ever get accomplished enough to use a frame like that. It's totally amazing all the wonderful tools that are available!!

How great!!! I float smaller tops. I can't seem to keep them nice if they are bigger than a lap size. Then I use the rollers. It does save alot of time doing it that way. It doesn't work well for me with any thick poly batting though. No matter what size, I have to use the rollers or it's wonky.

Very nice quilt.

Not having a quilting machine I really don't know what floating is but I can tell you this - that's a great scrappy D9P.

I have absolutely no idea what any of you are talking about (floating quilts...?) but I think it turned out nice! LOL!

Love that D9P! Pretty materials. I, also, float my tops and have been successful in floating several king-sized quilts. So often I just need to check underneath to see how the batting is lying.

Thanks for the input all! I can't imagine not having my quilts somewhat taut on the frame, but I guess it's just what you are used to. I too have the "red snappers" and absolutely love them! Takes no time at all to load a quilt and they are so easy to use!

Awesome use of scraps!

:(I would love the opportunity to roll or float! No long arm.

I didn't know that you could float your quilt tops. Hummmmmmm..... My batting is floating. Do you let your batting float too? I can't tell from the picture. By the way, I love your D9P. It is beautiful!!!

Beautiful quilt. I float some of mine.

It is certainly faster. I float almost all the smaller lap size and charity quilts. Yes, they can shift on you if not careful! But a big plus is I always can easily see what my batting is doing

floating a large top was a disaster for me-way too wonky-I will gladly spend 15 min pinning it on to keep every thing taut together and straight.floating small tops works ok but I still prefer pinning all tops for better results.maybe I am missing something in the details on floating to get a straight top and not a slight parallelogram

*Me too. (perhaps a bit of OCD-?) Anyways, I have your same set up (missoop), and I love it!

Thank you!! I started quilting it this morning. I put it on the frame "long-wise" across the bars, and I got one pass finished. Had to quit before my shoulders started hurting. Old age is the pits, but it sure beats the alternative!! But that is one long pass!! I estimate 3 more and I'll be finished.

Yes, I love mine, too, Mariposa!! Just wondering what my frame is called....if you have the same...is it a professional studio frame? Just wondering in case I ever want to sell it, and that won't happen unless I get unable physically to quilt? Ha

Very colorful quilt. I love it!!!

Great job on the D9P, I float all my tops, no matter the size. I find it easier to make adjustments to the batting or top as I go along. I also have the Red Snappers. Great time savers! I can load a King size in under 15 minutes. You can get them from Nancy's. Well worth the $$.

Beautiful, love all the colors and the white just sets off the soft colors. And thanks for educating me to "floating", I'm not a long-armer but it's nice to be acquainted with some of the terminology.

I love all the pretty fabrics in your quilt.

I Love your quilt. Very pretty and it's big too, nice job on design.

Nice quilt.

Beautiful quilt.
You can get the Red Snappers directly from Renae Haddidin who invented them. She also won Best of Show at Paducah for her quilting. Here is her website. www.quiltsonthecorner.com. She also has videos on how to use them.

Looking good

Love the quilt!!!

Me, too. BTW, I love the scrappy quilt.