By using monofilament thread for SITD if the stitching isn't perfectly in the ditch it doesn't show like regular thread does.
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By using monofilament thread for SITD if the stitching isn't perfectly in the ditch it doesn't show like regular thread does.
I too have just finished 2 quilt tops for my granddaughters for Christmas presents and am ready for the ever terrifying sandwich.
These are twin sized quilts and I will be just doing the SITD, BUT what I don't know is the approx. amount of time I will need to quilt each of them. The blocks are 12 X 12. 4 hours? 8 hours? OMG longer?
Just need a ballpark figure for this newbie who is also using a walking foot (oh goodie) at medium speed on the machine.
Pin or spray baste? Are you only SITD'ing around/between the blocks or with there be additional quilting over the blocks? How big of a throat does your machine have?
Your mileage could vary dramatically but I just quilted the these two quilts which are only a little smaller than twin sized quilts and it took me about 2 hours total. I did SITD and some quilting over the blocks. A good portion of that time was spent making chalk marks for the quilting that was not in the ditch though. I spray basted then used a handful of pins around the edge just to keep my layers from delaminating while I rolled and unrolled the quilt. A walking foot, a steady hand, and not being too worried if every single stitch actually ends up in the ditch are all helpful.
My suggestions: use basting spray because pins will take more time and IMHO give inferior results. Stitch in the ditch and possibly across the blocks if needed depending on your batting. You'll start out slow but you'll get faster as you go. Wind more bobbins than you think you'll need because nothing is worse than completely unthreading your machine half way through to wind more bobbins.
Good luck! Oh, and post pictures so we can see what you made!
I only have an 8" harp, I really really wanted the bigger one but too much dollars.
I also have new hardwood floors throughout the whole house, so as I have heard bad things can happen with the spray basting, I will be using pins.
The layout and pinning will take me some time so since it only took you 2 hours, I will double that (OK maybe triple) for the SITD part.
Thanks for all the info and good luck to all the other newbie's out there. I will post pics when they are done. They are not traditional quilts though by any stretch of the imagination. (and they are my first)
I make by back and batting about 2" bigger on all sides for straight lines quilting - a little more if I'm trying to FMQ. Spray baste exclusively.
I was the one that recently tackied my floor! Where I had paper taped down.....no issues....I just didn't cover enough. Also, my hubby had a heavy hand on the spray. He used an entire can on one queen sized quilt....which I now know that one can should have done 5-6 quilts! It was a mess at first, but we kept working with it and I would definitely spray baste again. My suggestions are to get roll ends from your local newspaper for free and paper your floor.(use blue paint tape....no stickiness left behind) Spray lightly.....or spray outside if weather permits. Keep the back taped down and spray the other layers and spread out all wrinkles right away. If any layer gets bunched up, you can peel it off and re-stick it. Start in the middle and spread your arms out in circles. It helps to have someone to help hold the corners up as you crawl toward them so they don't stick before you want them down. Goo be gone will safely remove any tackiness you leave behind, then wash with soapy water and/or steam mop. Your floors will be fine! At least give it a try and see if it works for you. I would suggest a smaller project first. Good luck!