brookemarie19

My first quilt I just went in the ditch and that isn't so difficult. I plan on doing some potholders so I can practice the harder kinds before I am willing to try it on an actual quilt.

bstanbro

It took me a long time to decide what to do with my first two quilt tops. My instructor advised my class not to try to quilt a bed-sized quilt (which these were) on a regular sewing machine. She also said she used a long-armer.

This bothered me because I felt like I needed to do the whole thing myself. I thought if anybody else worked on the project with me that I wouldn't be happy with it. This decision nearly brought my quilting to a halt.

Finally, I decided to go with a longarm quilter. It has allowed me to fall in love with quilting since I don't think I was ever cut out to do the quilting part. I love choosing the colors and doing the piecing, but I'm more than happy to let someone who is more inclined to the quilting part do that. My quilts have turned out beautiful, and I'm very happy with them.

If I'm short on funds or I think it's the better choice, I tie some of them. I've even used a small decorative stitch on my sewing machine to tie blocks rather than using the embroidery thread.

Recently, I've machine quilted a couple of wall hangings. The small size is easier to do on a regular sewing machine. I've done just a grid of diagonal lines with good results. I've also stitched in the ditch (which is easier than you might think) and done just wavy lines. If you use monofilament thread, you won't even see any mistakes.

smitty

First,don't feel that you have to do all the fancy patterns that long-arms do. they have so many advantages over a home sewing machine. if you have a serpentine stitch, it is wonderful to just run along & straddle the seam line. especially good for kids quilts. serpentine stitch curves back and forth but stitches all the way, not like a zigzag.
maybe there is another name for it ?? pins still seem to be the best home method. I tried iron-on batting-ONCE.
SMITTY

EagarBeez

I have not quilted very long. I have made 4 quilts total and I tried my hand at hand quilting. The top looks great, but, when I look at the back side, the stitches seem longer then the top. I decided to tie them. My machine would not handle quilting a large quilt anyway

sewmom

I, too, hate the term-quilt as desired. and i, too, was scared to quilt my first quilt. My SID was more like meandering around the ditch. But the first quilt i made for a gift back in 2001 is still being used and they had 3 boys and a girl. it was the oldest's favorite blanket. so i must have done something right. I like to do large stippling or meandering mostly, but want to branch out to something different. instead of the SID, i like to use the serpentine stitch or even a decorative stitch klike the birdie feet or herringbone. the best thing to do is make a practice sandwich and experiment. and RELAX and ENJOY.

SuzzyQ

They are not puckers - they are KISSES! Packed with lots of love and care.

You will get better over time. Hand quilting is relaxing. Bast your layers together - get a big hoop and settle in for some lovely nights by the fire, listening to music, chatting with ... whomever ... enjoy the process. And for heavens sake give yourself a break - we were beginners once.

euclid

I can recommend a book called Foolproof Machine Quilting by Mary Mashuta. She explains very well how to use your walking foot and the decorative stitches on your machine to quilt your quilts with almost no marking of the top. Great ideas, clearly explained and well illustrated, achievable by beginners and something different for the veteran quilter. The book is in a lot of online shops, including Amazon.

katydidit

I too have several UFOs ready to quilt and am afraid to start. Don't know what I'm doing and can't afford to have it done. I do know that if you use a backing that has a pattern in it, you're stitches (or mistakes) won't show so badly.

mar32428

I felt the same way but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I finally decided I had to just START. I started out doing straight line sewing and then went to stippling. I'm now talking myself into patterns since I have a big, new quilting frame. If I goof, I goof and it goes on my bed where my puppies and cats love to sleep. If it's not too bad, my family is very forgiving.

skowjudy

I too had trouble with the stitching the quilt, especially hand stitching. I did baby quilts and quilted them on my own sewing machine. Doing a diamond pattern works pretty good, or find a pattern with not many turns and swirls. Now hand stitching I tried a hoop that I held and one on a stand and I had a lot of trouble, it was twin size for my grandaughter and I wanted it special for her, said I would probably never do another one. Then one day had a small piece that I just held in my hands and found out I can hand quilt. So just get started and find a way that works best for you. They say its not a quilt till it is quilted. Good luck!!