The Quilters Thread

snoozer

Lovely FMQ Csarina, that's what I've been doing today, I find I get a bit impatient with it but it's definitely not something you can rush.

[Deleted User]

If you are getting snarls on theback it could be thread tension, try turning the tension dial up a bit.

Make a sandwich of scrap fabric and wadding and keep adjusting until you iron out the problems. Use 12" squares and practice, practice practice. If you use different colour thread in the top and bottom you will soon see whether its the thread or bobbin tension that needs adjusting. What machine do you have? You can get special bobbin cases for some machines that are adjusted for free motion quilting.

PlymouthMaid

I have a pretty basic machine I got from The Cotton patch many years ago and it has served me well but I dont think it does clever stuff like that but it is something I will practice more as I love the effect. I normally seem to make ginormous quilts and they are dead tricky to manoeuvre so I often opt for hand quilting.

snoozer

If you don't mind me asking Plymouth Maid, how do you do your hand quilting, do you have a frame? If not do you find it difficult to make the stitches even? I'd like to try some hand quilting on my Japanese quilt but am a bit scared.

[Deleted User]

Snoozer, sashiko would be the right way to go with your Japanese quilt, use perle cotton and bigger stitches, you can put the quilt in a frame if you want to, but as long as you watch the back you should be ok without. It took me years to get used to quilting in a hoop, found it very difficult at first which is why some of my very early quilts had little tucks in the back in spme places......... I tend to use basting spray now so do not get the same problems whether quilting in the hoop or not.

Fabric sorted for another chicken hanging....am not feeling too good so it might not get started for a day or two.

miffy257

Hope you feel better soon Deleted_User. I'm just about to get on with my cutting fabric for the next quilt. Have done some but still need more.
Happy Quilting all

PlymouthMaid

Yes I finnd quilting in a hoop tricky although I did buy a lovely floor standing one. I tend to hand quilt sat on the sofa and try to get into the rocking motion with maybe 4 or so stitches on the needle each time. You soon get into an even rhythm but warming up on a scrap 'sandwich' first can be useful. I do find I get sore fingers so use those stick on 'thimbles' as well as a proper one on my 'pushing' finger. I have no idea if I have the right technique or not but it quite enjoyable as a winter tv activity and I really like the look compared to machine quilting (apart from free motion which I do like a lot),

miffy257

I haven't done any hand quilting since I was at college in the 70s. I like machine quilting especially straight lines but not in the ditch. Have cut most of my fabric out but need to do some 11/2 inch strips for sashing and borders. Hate the cutting out but can't wait to start piecing.
Happy Quilting all

[Deleted User]

[IMG][/img]
Christmas tree wall hanging.

The original wall hanging was bigger then this, I took the top 4 layers to make this one.

Patches41048

PlymouthMaid wrote: »

Yes I finnd quilting in a hoop tricky although I did buy a lovely floor standing one. I tend to hand quilt sat on the sofa and try to get into the rocking motion with maybe 4 or so stitches on the needle each time. You soon get into an even rhythm but warming up on a scrap 'sandwich' first can be useful. I do find I get sore fingers so use those stick on 'thimbles' as well as a proper one on my 'pushing' finger. I have no idea if I have the right technique or not but it quite enjoyable as a winter tv activity and I really like the look compared to machine quilting (apart from free motion which I do like a lot),

I'm hoping to finish a Hawaiian 'ish' quilted cushion this weekend, my first attempt at hand quilting and although I improved as I went on I think it will take a lot of practice to get a result I would be happy with. I found single stitches much neater. I am so glad I tried on a something small first. It just needs the panel framing in a border and then turning into the cushion so hopefully I can post a pic later. Like you Plymouth Maid it was nice to have something I could do while sitting with OH rather than hiding away in the workroom.


There are some beautiful quilts on here! Its encouraging me to get this baby quilt finished asap so that I can play with something different! :T