It's very pretty! I really like the colors and fabrics you used.

I started quilting in February of this year and have learned SO much, from this group and online!

I too use my bed for layout, since it's the only place I have to do so. I use the 505 spray often, but have had no problems with just pinning either. Once the sandwich is laid out, I set up a folding table at the foot of the bed, then pull one end of the sandwich up onto the table to smooth, stretch and pin it together. (or spray and smooth) I smooth out the backing fabric, then spray the batting, or smooth it if pinning, then spray the batting top and smooth the quilt top into place. If I'm just pinning, I reach under and place my first pin in the center, then work in a "circle" around that pin, pulling the backing fabric tight, then the top fabric tight before pinning in each place.

The fabric DOES stretch as you quilt, so you have to keep pulling it tight, without actually stretching it, of course, as you go. I assume this is the reason for cutting your backing and batting larger than the quilt top. After I quilt about the first 1/4 of the quilt, in the center first, I then lay it flat and make sure the remaining areas are still smooth before moving on.

I think the "looseness of the fabric" is because it's not quilted, not attached to the batting or backing fabric. Have you washed it since finishing it? I find that seems to tighten the fabric back up, too.

A walking foot makes all the difference in how the layers feed through the machine.

well i think it looks great and i like the colors nice good!!!

I think you are doing great! I'm not a fan of stitch on the ditch either. I much prefer what I call Shadow Quilting when quilting by hand. When quilting on a domestic machine, a good meandering stitch is fine. Get a darning foot and give it a whirl!

Maybe that was my problem. When I started quilting it, I didn't start in the center. No one has ever told me I should start in the center. The one I made it class, I wasn't even told to start in the center.

When I was talking about the looseness of the fabric, It was quilted. I guess I don't know how to explain it...but there is a huge difference between the two quilts I made (by SID) verses the quilt my quilting friend (who long arms as her business) did on my queen size quilt. It seems to change the entire feel and look of the quilt as well. Does this make sense?

Great job love the colors

Your walking should help, but I am thinking you need to find a better place to lay it out before quilting. Even on the floor would be better than on your bed. If no room there, maybe you could use the tables in your local library conference room, or the tables at your local quilt shop. If it isnt pinned tightly and flat, you will get wrinkles and wavy fabric, even with a walking foot. And if you want to use the basting spray, it is very essential that you have a good flat surface to put it on. Maybe a porch or deck? Put on old sheet down first to keep the quilt fabric clean. It won't ever be firm and flat enough on a bed.

It is very pretty! Love your colors and the fabrics you chose. Don't be so hard on yourself, it looks beautiful to me.

Kat

Thank you for the lovely compliments and encouragement! I'm excited to start my next project. I have a sampler quilt I'm making for a friend and my 16 yr old son as asked that I make him a quilt. :)

It turned out pretty. You can always try what I just tried as I also don't care that much for SITD...[ATTACH=CONFIG]374157[/ATTACH]

I suppose this is some sort of shadow quilting, but I called it "stitch beside the ditch".

Thats a lovely quilt! Thanks for sharing. I'm slowly learning that with quilting there is more than one right way of doing things.