Getting ready to machine quilt, please HELP

[SweetTea]

I don't have a good place to sandwich my quilts, I use the floor, not easy with sciatica and pinched nerve in the neck. Got it done last night, I need to make sure I did this right by having the back taped taut(sp) with absolutely no wrinkles. When I finished pinning, untaped and lifted from the floor, the back looked like it could wrinkle or bunch up when I am quilting, is that normal?


Also, the last time I quilted on this machine, I had problems with the fabric crawling, even with the quilting foot. It was my first time, so I am sure it was operator error. I want this quilt to come out nicely, it is for my grandson who will be born in August. It is my shower gift, I would be horrified to have a mess wrapped up in a box.

Any pointers I can get will be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure how I should sew the pattern, should it be a straight up and down, diagonal, stitch next to the seams 1/4 on each side of the seam? How long should the stitches be? How much pressure should be on the foot, and will someone please come over and shake me so I will calm down and not be so nervous about this.

Thanks Ladies

[Annav]

First of all, breathe! Next, I need to clarify, are you using a quilting foot (the small, round or oval shaped one that most likely has a spring on it), or are you using a walking foot? If you are using the smaller, round/oval shaped one, did you drop your feed dawgs? Because with this foot, you are in control of your fabric, not your machine, and so the fabric moves as you move it. Quilters gloves are good to help keep your hands from slipping on the fabric and thus move your fabric more smoothly, at least for me. I know some folks don't like them, but I can't quilt without them. If you are using the walking foot, you might try adjusting your pressure foot tension, if your machine will allow you to do so. When you quilt, you'll be pulling the pins out while you are quilting each section and using the quilting gloves should help you keep control of the fabric so bunching on the back shouldn't be a problem. I also find that spray basting helps me a lot better than pinning, especially on smaller quilts (I think spray basting doesn't work as well on larger quilts because they are heavier and the spray is just not that meant for that).

If you are planning on doing just straight, stitch in the ditch type stitching, I would recommend using the walking foot and not the quilting foot ... your stitches will be much straighter. The quilting foot is generally used for free motion so you have the freedom of moving the piece in curves, and circles, and all sorts of directions. I am more of a free motion kind of person, and tend to do more of that than stitch in the ditch. But I think the kind of pattern you use, whether you draw it on with chalk or fabric marking pen, or if you free motion, or stitch in the ditch, or whatever is totally a personal thing and what you feel comfortable doing. I find following a pattern is harder than doing free motion, but that is me. Others need the pattern drawn on. I don't think the quilt police will come and get you, so look at your piece, and quilt the piece as you are comfortable and seems to flow with the pattern you have chosen.

But most importantly, breathe, relax, and have fun with it.

Best wishes

[quiltingtrish]

Good advice up there! Another tip - no matter if you use the free motion foot (the round-oval one) or the regular one, I always have a little practice sandwich that I sew on to make sure my stitches are straight and not loopy on the back before I tackle THE quilt project.

Hugs,

[mom4him]

I have to get moving but wanted to say quick, if you haven't done it already I would starch your front and back good. I really does help things stay where you pin them.

[6swolcott]

awesome advice shared one more tip drink a glass of wine, put on some music and relax when I first started I thought those tips were a joke but they do help, also I will share that on my domestic machine i always quilt using my walking foot, I drop feed dogs and I cheat as it were for the pattern. I put press and seal on top of quilt, trace pattern with frixion pen on quilt, and then just trace, I dont stress if tracing isnt exact when done i take press n seal off and no one knows if I stayed on lines. One time I used a piece of cardboard folded in half and traced arcs onto quilt and then the center was like a diamond and I just peppled in that. Currently I am quilting moons and star pattern on a baby quilt that i printed on my computer and then just trace onto quilt. Good luck, remember your grand child is going to love it because it came from you, with love

[SweetTea]

Ladies you have the best information, I am so thankful each of you replied for me.

I have the spray, with all of the business in my life, I totally forgot about it. I am going to take the pins out this morning and use that spray. I will starch both sides before I put it back together.

I will be using the walking foot, I haven't had this machine long enough to practice with the round foot. But the ideas of using thin cardboard to trace designs intrigue me, I may just be trying that on scraps to see what I can come up with.

I appreciate your help so much, and don't worry, I'll have a glass of wine and have a good time!

[Claire Hallman]

Where do you live? Someone might be close enough to come and shake you.... or help show you how.
You sound like you might be in the south based on your name, there are a few of us here in the south that could help.