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So, my top is done, my backing is together, I just need to cut down the batting and backing because right now they are waaay bigger than the top. I am going to attempt to stitch in the ditch, how much batting and backing would you recommend I have beyond my top? Thanks!!
The backing & batting needs to extend beyond your quilt top at least 3-4" on all 4 sides. I lay my backing down on the carpet & use quilt pins to fasten it down after smoothing out the fabric. Then lay the batting & quilt top over the backing. Smooth it all out. Start in the center & work out in all directions to pin baste it together. JCY
I do the same except I use 505 basting spray.
I'm working now on a quilt that I started to do the stitch in the ditch and it looked terrible - could not keep it in the ditch. So, I'm using the serpentine stitch - a long wavy line going over the seam. Looks so much better and I don't have to worry about keeping the stitching line even, I just aim the seam through the center of the walking foot.
Good luck getting it done now! Yeah for you :-) Yep like said... you got to leave extra for "shifting" during quilting If you spray baste, I still leave a good 4" of extra... Easier to cut it down after, then have to cut your quilt funny cuz it moved!!
Good idea Vonnie!! I can't hit a ditch so I gave that up long ago and do concentric circle quilting or just quilt squares. hmm Maybe have to give just a wiggly stitch a try, sounds easier and you don't have to worry about that stupid Ditch!
:-Debbie
Another vote for basting spray! I didn't use it on my first quilts but once I discovered how wonderful it is I'll never go back. It is messy so mask off your floor or wherever you use it but it is so much better than using a million pins.
We usually trim the batting to be a few inches bigger than the front then spray baste it to the backing which is taped to the floor. Then we add the top and trim to be 2-3" oversized. You can do more than that or less but I have found on full sized quilts that 2-3" all around is a very comfortable amount of extra. If I'm doing a table runner or other small project I usually only leave an inch or so.
I do a lot of SITD'ing and while it is never perfect, no one but you is going to notice if you are a little off.
Good luck! Nothing feels better than completing your first quilt. For me the quilting was scary but the binding was scarier. Just take your time and it'll look great! Oh, and post pictures. We love pictures!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions but most of all for the encouragement. I am hoping to get some time tomorrow to work on it!! Will post pictures when done!
I too am an advocate of spray adhesive, it eliminates the pins and for me, means less time on myhands and knees on the floor. Finishing your first quilt is such a tremendous milestone inyour life as a quilter! You are almost done!
I do the same. I extend the batting about 1" from the top, and the backing about 2-3".Quote:
Originally Posted by HandsomeRyan
I'm a huge fan of spray baste, as well.
But IMHO, quilting along a seam, at a quarter of an inch is a lot more forgiving than SITD. If joined blocks are a 'tad' off, make up the difference gradually..
I'm still taking baby steps, but I'll get there.
My best to you, Vonnie!
This is a 'new to me' technique, but I'm a FAN!
I used the serpentine stitch instead of SITD on a baby quilt and it was so much easier, faster, and a whole lot less stress!Quote:
Originally Posted by Vonnie
No spray for me, just pins. Maybe I don't use it right but it is hard to manage and keep wrinkles out.
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by Racing Nana
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 use both the SITD and the wavy stitch. That wavy stitch adds another element to the quilt too! On some quilts it really makes things pop.Quote:
Originally Posted by MRoy
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'm with you. I only use pins after too much frustration with spray adhesive.Quote:
Originally Posted by BellasQuilts
My knees simply won't take the floor. So I've developed a method where I sit Indian style and slide around the hardwood floor on my behind from side to side of the quilt. When I've finished a section as far as I can reach, I roll the quilt and keep pinning.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beakkmom
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!
I use that very thin, disposable plastic sheeting hat you can buy in rolls or single sheets for use on outdoor tables to cover my floors.Quote:
Originally Posted by Racing Nana
Just added 2 pics of my first quilts. Pinned and SITD. Combo of embroidery and quilting.
These quilts covered a lot of firsts. First paper piecing blocks, sandwiching, quilting and YAY uploading photos into a new album.
Holy smokes I wonder what 2014 will hold in store.