I am quilting a quilt for my in-laws. It needs to be done by Christmas. I don't think I will get it finished if I quilt it all by hand. What do y'all think about machine quilting the borders, but continue to hand quilt the center. Will that work?

I am doing an echo stitch in the light green (probably looks white) and want to do by machine a meandering vine in the medium green and straight lines in the dark border. Will it work? Here is a partial picture of the quilt...

I don't mix the two methods..... Maybe you should machine quilt the whole thing?

The quilt is so beautiful. I would continue hand quilting if it took until Easter. Your in-laws will appreciate the effort. While I love machine quilting, hand quilting is still my favorite. Also, combination quilting may or may not work very well. The machine stitching is tighter and the quilt will likely not wash satisfactorily. The center will always be softer.
Take a photo and wrap it up with a nice note of explanation. They'll still love it!

There have been other threads on this subject, and it is not at all uncommon to do both on a quilt. If you would like to do that, it is your quilt, you can. Is it for them to use or for an heirloom type quilt? That might be the only qualifying factor.

I am to inexperienced to say. However, I do want to say they are going to love it when they do get the quilt, it's beautiful

Do both. The stitching is not what's important. It's made with love.

I've done that with a quilt-hand stitched some of it and machine quilted the rest. It's your work, you can do what you want. And non-quilters are just so happy to get a quilt that you made, it doesn't make any difference to them. Do what you want, they'll love it.

You can mix and match as you please. There are nquilt police around here, it's a quilter's own choice!!

Do whichever makes you happy.. and what you think will look the best... they will love it no matter what.. cause you made it. :) beautiful quilt by the way :)

I've mixed them before with no problems.

It's your quilt...do whatever you think is best..they are going to Love it either way :!:

Beautiful quilt. Quilt it however you want, I'm sure it will be just as pretty however you do it. I always machine quilt mine, so much faster and much easier on my hands.

I agree 100% ! :thumbup:

alot of the most beautiful quilts out there contain hand and machine quilting! if you want to do both, do it. it will be beautiful and done in time :)
i think people who snub quilts that contain both methods, or the one they do not approve of really limit themselves. it's sad people are not more open minded about mixed techniques. if you visit some of the most famous (quilts in the best 100 of the century) contain both methods of quilting...and polyester thread! shhhhhhh...don't tell the (quilt police)

Thanks for all of the insight, Gals! I think I am going to quilt feverishly for the next month and see where I am. I will probably at least have to do the outer border by machine, but maybe I can get the inner border finished by hand. I think the borders will go quick anyway. It is all the twisting and turning of the intricate inner quilting that takes so long. Just as I have said every year...I am going to start Christmas projects earlier next year!!

Very nice quilt,they will like it either way you do it.

I do all the time. It is just not realistic for me to do whole quilts especially since many of my loved ones prefer very large quilts ex. extra long and wide twins and super sized Cal King.

Beautiful!!

It is a beautiful quilt and they will be happy to get it! One caveat that I have is to be sure and start in the center and work you way out- I don't think it would work to do the borders first and then the inside. I don't know if I got it correctly that was what you said that you were going to do?

i did the opposite. machine quilted the quilt and hand quilted the border on one quilt.i still have it and love it!

I think a combination of the two, the way you described in your first post, will be beautiful! It's being made filled with your love, and that's what counts in the end.

I'll look forward to seeing the final product.

I have done this for several of my quilts. I hand quilt the middle and when I get to the borders I use my machinge. I am not that experienced with machine quilting and the thought of puting the entire quilt in the machine scares me. I admire anyone who can do it. It is easy to use the machine on the borders.

reply to "starting in the middle"


I have actually quilted a little more than half of the center. I did start in the middle, and it is going well, so far, but I just won't have enough time to finish it, I think.

Do what you want :wink:
you can always let them unwrap it and then take it back to finish it later too :D:D:D

Thank you so much for all of your help. Here is the final product. It goes in the mail today and I almost couldn't put it in the box. I was able to hand quilt all of it except the outermost border. I told them next time I visit I will bring a needle and thread. I will say one thing, I was hooked on quilting before, but now that I have completely finished one, washed it, and felt it, I am in overdrive. I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas. Now back to the last 2 quilts I have to finish and 3 pairs of Christmas Eve PJs!

It's beautiful!!!

i did the opposite on a king size. hand quilted the borders. of course it was my quilt. do what you think is best-it's your quilt (you are making it).

Gorgeous.