Ready to quilt (first time)...need advice
07-31-2011, 06:16 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: nevada
Posts: 827
Originally Posted by JenelTX
I had been planning to hand quilt, but mostly because I didn't think machine quilting would be an option. I have a very basic sewing machine, and I thought it would be too small for me to fit the quilt in to get all of the pieces.
Oh, one other question I forgot to ask - Should I start quilting in the center of the quilt, or the edges, or doesn't it matter?
Oh, one other question I forgot to ask - Should I start quilting in the center of the quilt, or the edges, or doesn't it matter?
I managed to get a queen sized quilt quilted in a $60 Brother. It was a tight fit, and I got a good work out from squishing the fabric into the small space, but it got done! I can't imagine not being able to do a lap quilt.
07-31-2011, 06:34 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Dillsburg, PA
Posts: 314
Originally Posted by Dina
Beautiful quilt! I am probably not the best at answering your questions, but I will give it a shot. I cut my batting about six inches bigger than my quilt...3 inches per side. I make the back of my quilt that size also. It is probably a bit bigger than I need to cut it, but it works for me.
If you are going to follow the pattern, stitch in the ditch, you won't need to mark your pattern.
Oh, I just looked at the picture again. You already have it pinned. Good for you.
One thing I learned the hard way is that q quilt can get a bit heavy while quilting, and gravity wants to pull it away from the sewing machine. I now place my ironing board perpendicular to the sewing machine and let it hold up part of the weight of the quilt.
It looks like you are 'good to go." I find the machine quilting very satisfying. I hope you do too. (I have been quilting 2 years....sort of a confident beginner...)
If you are going to follow the pattern, stitch in the ditch, you won't need to mark your pattern.
Oh, I just looked at the picture again. You already have it pinned. Good for you.
One thing I learned the hard way is that q quilt can get a bit heavy while quilting, and gravity wants to pull it away from the sewing machine. I now place my ironing board perpendicular to the sewing machine and let it hold up part of the weight of the quilt.
It looks like you are 'good to go." I find the machine quilting very satisfying. I hope you do too. (I have been quilting 2 years....sort of a confident beginner...)
07-31-2011, 06:46 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
Originally Posted by LindaM49
Originally Posted by Dina
Beautiful quilt! I am probably not the best at answering your questions, but I will give it a shot. I cut my batting about six inches bigger than my quilt...3 inches per side. I make the back of my quilt that size also. It is probably a bit bigger than I need to cut it, but it works for me.
If you are going to follow the pattern, stitch in the ditch, you won't need to mark your pattern.
Oh, I just looked at the picture again. You already have it pinned. Good for you.
One thing I learned the hard way is that q quilt can get a bit heavy while quilting, and gravity wants to pull it away from the sewing machine. I now place my ironing board perpendicular to the sewing machine and let it hold up part of the weight of the quilt.
It looks like you are 'good to go." I find the machine quilting very satisfying. I hope you do too. (I have been quilting 2 years....sort of a confident beginner...)
If you are going to follow the pattern, stitch in the ditch, you won't need to mark your pattern.
Oh, I just looked at the picture again. You already have it pinned. Good for you.
One thing I learned the hard way is that q quilt can get a bit heavy while quilting, and gravity wants to pull it away from the sewing machine. I now place my ironing board perpendicular to the sewing machine and let it hold up part of the weight of the quilt.
It looks like you are 'good to go." I find the machine quilting very satisfying. I hope you do too. (I have been quilting 2 years....sort of a confident beginner...)
07-31-2011, 06:50 AM
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,163
Machine quilting is certainly an option for a lap-sized quilt, even for a larger quilt. It is a very pretty quilt.
If you decide to machine quilt, I would first stabilize the quilt by quilting in the ditches where the blocks are sewn together. Then you can remove the pins and you will be able to do any other quilting that you want to do, such as the hearts.
3 inches or so extra batting all the way around is plenty. Plan for the same amount of extra backing.
Hand quilting is wonderful - I admire those who do it, but I don't have the patience.
Show us the quilt again when you're finished. I love the fun, bright colors.
If you decide to machine quilt, I would first stabilize the quilt by quilting in the ditches where the blocks are sewn together. Then you can remove the pins and you will be able to do any other quilting that you want to do, such as the hearts.
3 inches or so extra batting all the way around is plenty. Plan for the same amount of extra backing.
Hand quilting is wonderful - I admire those who do it, but I don't have the patience.
Show us the quilt again when you're finished. I love the fun, bright colors.
07-31-2011, 07:43 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Trego, WI
Posts: 1,871
Your quilt top looks great! Very colorful!
You can also combine hand quilting and machine quilting, if you like. You could do the stiching in the ditch along the major lines, then add the hearts by hand afterwards.
If you're going to do all by hand, I would recommend stiching 1/4" inside the major squares, rather than stitch in the ditch. SITD is very hard by hand, as you encounter so many layers at some points. I do the 1/4" inside the sewn lines. I mark them with masking tape, as I cannot hand stitch a straight line without that guide.
Looking forward to seeing your progress!
You can also combine hand quilting and machine quilting, if you like. You could do the stiching in the ditch along the major lines, then add the hearts by hand afterwards.
If you're going to do all by hand, I would recommend stiching 1/4" inside the major squares, rather than stitch in the ditch. SITD is very hard by hand, as you encounter so many layers at some points. I do the 1/4" inside the sewn lines. I mark them with masking tape, as I cannot hand stitch a straight line without that guide.
Looking forward to seeing your progress!
07-31-2011, 07:52 AM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 809
Originally Posted by dunster
If you decide to machine quilt, I would first stabilize the quilt by quilting in the ditches where the blocks are sewn together. Then you can remove the pins and you will be able to do any other quilting that you want to do, such as the hearts.
I'm getting excited about this!
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