Domestic (Home) Machine Quilters

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Comment by Barbara Dieckmann on April 1, 2020 at 8:58am

busy ladies!  I'm working on several sewalongs (Bonnie Hunter's, Cozy Quilts, and Edyta Sitar's) as well as getting some older WIPs ready to machine quilt.  I've been keeping things small since I am still a bit limited on how my damaged shoulder can wrestle with the quilt sandwich.  Way too easy to drift along and not get much done, but I'm trying to make progress on at least two each day.  Have a patriotic red, white, and blue, 1800s repros, pink and blue pastels with cream (very girly-girl), a blue and white, and a very scrappy with white accents and purple background underway.  I'm considering quilt as you go techniques for some older sets of blocks that will make bedsized tops and got set aside until I could wrestle with quilt tops again.  Any experience with QAYG or a fav method?

Comment by Janet/MO on April 1, 2020 at 8:12am

Bluprint.com is offering free viewing on their site for the next few days.  Marti Michel has a class on her technique of adding batting as you go so you might want to check it out.  I have not watched it so can't really give a recommendation one way or the other.  I should take the time to do that!

The class I took is on IQuilt.com, which is part of AQS.  The idea of stitching in the ditch between blocks did not include stitching in each section of a block, but just in the area where one block was sewn to another or to a sashing strip.  If done correctly, this doesn't really show from the front and if you are using a print on the back, it may not show that much there either.  I have found if I use my open toe applique foot, I can stay in the ditch pretty well.  

Comment by Cat Lady--MO on April 1, 2020 at 7:58am

I think Marti Mitchel wrote a book about quilting that way--adding batting as you work you way out.

Stitching in the ditch around blocks is a good thing to do as long as you do not have a whole lot of negative space that you do not want to have any defined blocks in it.

Comment by Jan on March 31, 2020 at 8:45am

I never thought of stitching in the ditch around the blocks and removing the pins.  Makes sense.  I have read about quilting the center, then adding batting to sides and quilt those.  Would take away weight, too.  Have another quilt pinned so will try the first idea.  Lots of time to play as long as we are in this stay at home time.  it would be more fun to quilt in a group though!

Comment by Janis B / OH on March 31, 2020 at 8:32am

I had toyed with the idea of cutting the batting from the sides and leaving only the center and quilt the center of the quilt leaving a few inches from the edge of the batting and then adding batting to the sides. I thought that would reduce the bulk to be rolled up but I haven't tried my idea out yet.

Comment by Janet/MO on March 29, 2020 at 5:54pm

I too have used my emb machine to quilt.  I would say the main thing with using the rulers on a large quilt is to use a Supreme Slider & have a flat surface that is large enough to support the weight of the quilt.  Also in a machine quilting class, the teacher advised everyone to stitch in the ditch between the blocks.  That helps stabilize the quilt, plus you no longer need to have pins in place if that is how you basted it, which cuts way down on the weight.  Mainly for me is just setting aside time to practice.

Comment by Cat Lady--MO on March 29, 2020 at 3:45pm

Jan, Like most FMQ, it all depends how how flat your sewing surface is and how well your quilt is supported on the front, back and left side, as well has how much throat space you have available.

My difficulty comes when I have a lot of quilt scrunched into the the throat of my Bernina 440 as well as a lot of it that wants to fall into my lap on the front side of the machine. This usually happens when I am FMQ (with or without ruler templates) near the center of a larger quilt.  Keeping pressure on the ruler/template and using it to move the quilt is where my drag comes. For me it takes a lot of stopping, repositioning, and starting again making sure the ruler/template has not moved. I am not saying it is impossible to do, just not something that I am that coordinated in doing.

Comment by Jan on March 29, 2020 at 9:33am

I was wondering how the rulers would work on a larger quilt.  I have a baby lock crescendo so have more space to work in, but wonder if anyone has used this machine with rulers?  Mostly I just quilt straight lines or meander on a large quilt.

Comment by Cat Lady--MO on March 29, 2020 at 9:06am

I hate the basting part too. However I currently have three quilts (one queen sized, and two twin-sized) pin basted but have not had enough time or energy to do anything with them at the machine.

I have found that using the rulers on a small project is one thing, but trying to use them on a large quilt with my domestic machine is another.

Comment by Janis B / OH on March 29, 2020 at 7:53am

Janet I purchased some rulers and a ruler foot for my domestic machine. I've practiced a little and there is a knack to getting the stitch length correct because it is still free motion. I have a quilt I planned on doing with them but I have a lot of practice to do before I would tackle the quilt. I have done some quilting with machine embroidery designs. I purchased the Mega Hoop which makes it easier but it is a slow process.

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