How much is enough on a wool quilt?

[Rita C.]

I have been working on hand quilting this wool quilt. I have finished the pattern I intended and the lines between the stitches are 3" apart. My question is this, is this enough quilting to keep the quilt together? Or do I need to do lines between the lines? This is a quilt for my son who is now 5'11" and growing and about 13st. I know that this will get a lot of use - he wraps himself in his quilt while he plays X-box or Playstation games or watches TV. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[wendy w.]

I don't know but I love it. Lucky son and lucky you having a son who likes your quilts and uses them. My youngest son is the same it's very satisfying.

[Rita C.]

Thanks Wendy.

[Margo C.]

It depends on the batting you have used, Rita. Check the package, or with the manufacturer to see what the recommended spacing is for the batting you used.
Also, be aware that quilting on the bias is more likely to break with a lot of use, because the fabric on the bias will stretch, but your quilting stitches won't.
So....for that reason, you might want to add some more quilting if you expect the quilt to get a lot of use.

I luv the quilt and know your son will enjoy using it!

[wendy w.]

I learn something every time you post Margo

[Rita C.]

Thanks Margo. I used wool batting and it said minimum 3". I guess that's why I am worried, because I have just done the bare minimum. Maybe I need to do some more lines in between.

[Rita C.]

I would think more would be better in this case. Your 3" I assume are measured diagonally between your stitching... but measured vertically and horizontally, it is more than 3" apart. That could be a problem. Wool is lovely to quilt and use, but if there is not enough quilting, it will bunch up over time.

Margo's comment about the bias stitching being more apt to break with use is accurate. Perhaps the new stitching you add could have shorter runs between tying off and starting each section. Could you do some vertical and horizontal stitching in the empty channels? It would make a new pattern but could be very nice.

I can draw it out on the pic if you would like.

And I agree, he is one lucky son!

[Rita C.]

If 3" is the minimum distance, what is the maximum? or am I getting things back to front?
You could add a line 1/2" to the inside of what you have there already, instead of just splitting the difference and going down the middle. By the way, Joe Cunningham doesn't do knots when hand quilting, he just leaves a long tail buried in the wadding.

[Rita C.]

Yes Michelle it would be great if you could draw out what you mean thanks. I used a 30wt thread for extra strength but I get your point about the areas where there is more of a gap than three inches. :roll:

As for my son, he is a lucky boy and he knows it too. We are having such cool weather here that he might be using this quilt sooner rather than later.

[Rita C.]

Rosemary, I probably have got it arse-about-face -ways....but you know what I mean! 3" is the maximum distance apart for wool batting. (Did I get that right?) :lol:

[Rita C.]

Ahh :idea: maximum distance between lines/minimum amount of stitching you can get away with. I regret to say that I think you have more stitching to do - But since your son might be needing it sooner rather than later, could you entice him into helping, because once it starts being used, it won't get any more stitching done to it (and don't ask how I know :roll: )

[Jo H.]

It is beautiful. If it were me, I would add a row in between each of those rows or depending on my mood and the look I was going for, I might add in a tie in the middle of each block. I did this with my unmentionable quilt. I quilted the minimum and then added in ties. I really liked the look and extra texture it gave to the antique to me quilt.

I really love how your quilt looks. Have fun deciding what to do with the quilting. You know Madeira makes a thread called Lana that is wool on the outside and poly on the inside. I use it for all of my wool applique or when I want a different, more prounounced look. If you did go with ties, Lana would be fantastic used on your quilt.

[Rita C.]

Thanks Jo Jo. That Lana thread sounds great and I wish I had known about it before I began. I have never seen it here. I have tied a quilt before (it always reminds me of the short story by Elizabeth Glaspell 'Jury of Her Peers') but that is not the affect I think I want with this one - although desperate measures....I was also wondering if the Janome Horizon acufeed system would be able to cope with it? But I have got the feeling that I am going to have to just bite the bullet and get hand quilting again. :roll: At least its wool on the top and the batting and cotton on the back so it's quite easy on the hands.

[Renata L.]

Rita, I have no experience with wool quilts, much less with quilting in general, but I could not pass up the chance to let you know that I really like the quilt you're putting together for your son, in particular its rustic quality and colors--so nice that he appreciates a good wool quilt from his mom!

[Jo H.]

My bet is that the Horizon would do fabulously. I haven't found a fabric yet that gives me problems. I use it exclusively for all my customer special orders especially ones that have stretchy material. It stitches like a dream whereas my Bernina that I adore for piecing stomps her feet, throws a fit, and spits the fabric right out of her mouth! :shock: Thank goodness for having two machines in my household. Oops... I mean three machines if I count my Featherweight.