How do you get started?

[Teri L.]

I have not done my own quilting (and I want to!) Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way. I already have the from attached to the back and batting so I think I am ready to go... I hope. :P

[Teri L.]

What type of quilt have you made (pattern),how big is your quilt, How far apart have you put each pin into the sandwich?

When I quilted my very first quilt I didn't have enough pins in my sandwich so I had alot of pucker folds sewed in the back of the quilt. I learnt how to pin correctly after two quilts!! I started out with all over meandering,or quilt in the ditch. I also didn't have a long arm for awhile but you can still quilt nicely with out one. Because if your rolled quilt will fit under the neck of the machine "all you will be quilting at a time is where your two hands set while quilting." If you can set your machine on a big table up against the wall with a small side table setting beside your sewing chair up against the table that you'll be sewing on it will be a great help.
You pin your backing to the floor or tape it tauntly,allowing 3 inches more on each side bigger then your top piece. Lay your batting evenly onto your backing and make sure to get all wrinkles out. Lay your top onto the batting. Now if you were going to quilt a pattern you would draw it out before you pinned,some patterns don't need to be drawed out like meandering or in the ditch. You will pin starting from the center of your quilt working your way out on all four sides,making sure you smooth out your quilt while pinning. "I pin every three inches". If you drawed out a pattern you would try not to pin on any of your sew lines. When you begin quilting you will roll up half of your quilt and start quilting from the middle outward on one whole side. Then repeat same process for the other half.
Once you set your quilt into the machine You will hold both hands flat on each side of the sewing area keeping your quilt taunt and flat and move in a speed rythm comfortable for you. You can use a practice piece first.
Quilting is very relaxing and with alittle practice you'll find it's alot of fun to do.
"Good Luck with your Quilting"
Kathy

[Judith T.]

On the Sharon Schamber network, she shows you how to set up your quilt for quilting and how she bastes it. Judy in AZ

[Gloria H.]

I have a bunch of practice sandwiches. Before I start on the real thing, I will practice the pattern on one of those. Your brain will remember what you did which makes it easier. The other advice is to practice, practice, and practice some more. Gloria

[Gloria H.]

I had some extra $ this month, so joined Sharon Schamber's web site as a Premium member. I'm working my way through her marvelous teaching videos, and have begun practicing on charity quilts to learn free-motion quilting. She says it takes 200 to 300 hours of practice, and I believe her! But I do notice some progress each day. So maybe by this fall, I'll be acceptable at free motion. And since I'm learning to do it on my treadles, my already-strong calf and ankle muscles will be even stronger, LOL.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Gloria H.]

Pat, I hope you can use both legs. Otherwise you might have to do some alterations on one leg of yer britches. :lol:
Jan in Spokane

[Gloria H.]

Among my treadling friends, there are many different styles. Some use one foot, others use their right foot at the front of the treadle pedal, with their left foot at the back, still others use their left foot at the front of the pedal and their right at the back. I plant both feet in the middle of the pedal, and use them simultaneously, so they get the same amount of exercise. I am taking a break from practice for a few minutes, after picking out an entire feather--forgot to put the presser foot down when I started, and that just doesn't work. :roll:

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Gloria H.]

I'm making a baby quilt so it is 36 in by 46in roughly. so not too big. I am hoping to give it a try this week as soon as I get the basting done.I have some extra material I can try out the movements on I think I will try that first.

[Gloria H.]

Krystallees

I think you are starting off great,you have the right idea starting off on the smaller projects you'll have better practice getting started! I'm always thrilled to hear someone starting off on thier first "quilting" project. You'll do great,I'm looking forward to seeing your baby quilt.
Enjoy the process!
Hugzzz,Kathy

[Judy M.]

200-300 hours????YIKES!!! :shock: I'm sure that's right--I've just started learning and even with the BSR, I'm still having trouble. Sometimes my stitching looks good and other times it looks awful! I've been using the poly Mettler thread in the top and bobbin. When I took my class at the dealer to learn how to use my Bernina, the teacher taught us to use the basting spray. Now I've learned that this can cause skipped stitches and "gunk" on the needles and in the machine. So, I threw out the practice squares with the basting spray. I keep getting those pesky "nests" when I start or hesitate. My tension just doesn't seem right on the back of my work and when I adjusted the tension, my top thread kept breaking. Is it possible that each machine is different and needs to be set differently? Help!!! :lol:

[Judy M.]

Well, I used three different machines today. My Singer 319 treadle started acting up, so I switched to a Singer 15 treadle, which also didn't want to cooperate, so I switched yet again, to a Singer 115, and got a good bit more done on the charity quilt. I'm noticing some improvement in my quilting, too, as I go along, but still not ready for prime time.

[Margo C.]

Is it possible that each machine is different and needs to be set differently? Help!!! :lol:

Judy, nests on the back when you start can be caused by not holding your threads taut with the first stitch. Bring your bobbin thread to the top of your work and hold on to BOTH threads until you've made several stitches to lock them in place. The nests when you slow down is probably something different. I would guess that the tension of your bobbin case may need adjusting. If you have a BSR, I'm assuming that you have a Bernina. Maybe you can take the machine to your dealer and explain the problem. Once your bobbin tension has been set correctly, you really shouldn't have nests when you slow down and your top thread definatley should not break if you are using quality thread. Good luck!

[Margo C.]

Is it possible that each machine is different and needs to be set differently? Help!!! :lol:

Judy, nests on the back when you start can be caused by not holding your threads taut with the first stitch. Bring your bobbin thread to the top of your work and hold on to BOTH threads until you've made several stitches to lock them in place. The nests when you slow down is probably something different. I would guess that the tension of your bobbin case may need adjusting. If you have a BSR, I'm assuming that you have a Bernina. Maybe you can take the machine to your dealer and explain the problem. Once your bobbin tension has been set correctly, you really shouldn't have nests when you slow down and your top thread definatley should not break if you are using quality thread. Good luck!

Sharon Schamber suggests using these little washers in your bobbin.
they are called "Little Genie Magic Bobbin Washers". She said that keeps you from getting those nests that she says, as Margo said, are from the thread not being taut. When you stop and stop quickly it causes the problem. I bought some but have not tried them yet.

[Margo C.]

And since I'm learning to do it on my treadles,

Pat, you are brave!! Are you free motion quilting?

[Lynn K.]

I had my FIRST class yesterday in machine quilting and am working today so can't practice! Boo Hoo.

But the teacher (Mary Jo Yackley in Houston) said it takes at LEAST overnight to get a motion or pattern in your head. Something about that part of your brain working on it overnight!

I guess I better get some of that fabric I don't like out and make some practice sandwiches for that 200-300 hours! We were introduced to many patterns to begin practicing on! Whew!

She also mentioned when you are on the phone with a long-winded friend (?) to have a doodle pad handy and just practice, practice, practice.........your brain will appreciate the training.

I always knew I enjoyed hand quilting for a reason! But I'm now convinced, I need to know both!