Sandwich and Quilting

Hello-
I played hookie from work today so that I could get all the borders on my quilt and get ready to start quilting. :)
This is the first time I've used the Warm and Natural batting and I'm having some trouble with my sandwich. I think the Poly batting is more slippery or something. I don't have a large enough table or floor space to lay the layers out, but I would usually put it on the LR carpet which is very flat and never had a problem.
My question is .....can I put down the layers, fairly even and pin...then work (quilt) from the edge to edge? I am not FMQ-I'm using my embroidery machine (hooping)...which is how I usually quilt. Is that the way you work (edge to edge) ? I think it would be easier to keep everything smooth. Will there be any issues in doing it this way?
Thanks,
Syndi

i would work from the center outward.... and if you are doing any straight stitching... use a walking foor (ask me how i know..:)

GrammaBabs-
I thought that is what I've read...center out....but I can't seem to manage getting the fabric flat. I don't use a walking foot because I machine embroider, so I hoop in sections.
Any tips?
Thanks
Syndi

What size quilt are you making? Do you have a large enough table to lay half of your quilt? I bought 2 centerfold tables at Walmart ($35 each). The two of them together is wide enough that I can do a throw or nearly a twin quilt using the method I'm about to mention. I've not tried a bigger size, but I'm sure it could be worked out. I put half the backing on my tables and tape it down. I make sure it is nice and flat and pulled taught, but don't stretched. Then I add the warm and natural and smooth it out really well. Then I add the quilt top, smooth it out really well, and put pins about every 5 inches. Then I untape it, move it to the other half. I tape that half and repeat what I did for the first half. I've not had any problems with shifting.

Note: make sure you've found the center of your backing, batting, and quilt top so that all layers are aligned properly.

Here's a link to alangiem's album so you see how she uses folding tables.

http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/alb...mid=537&page=2

I have a cutting table and use my late hubby's carpenter clamps to get every layer tight and even. There is a tutorial somewhere on the web where a woman uses a piece of plywood over a regular table and clamps down the backing, then the batting, then the top using large stationary clamps from an office store. If you get the center sandwiched tightly, you can move it around to secure the edges. It hasworked for me. But I pin and don't do fancy quilting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Syndi

Hello-
I played hookie from work today so that I could get all the borders on my quilt and get ready to start quilting. :)
This is the first time I've used the Warm and Natural batting and I'm having some trouble with my sandwich. I think the Poly batting is more slippery or something. I don't have a large enough table or floor space to lay the layers out, but I would usually put it on the LR carpet which is very flat and never had a problem.
My question is .....can I put down the layers, fairly even and pin...then work (quilt) from the edge to edge? I am not FMQ-I'm using my embroidery machine (hooping)...which is how I usually quilt. Is that the way you work (edge to edge) ? I think it would be easier to keep everything smooth. Will there be any issues in doing it this way?
Thanks,
Syndi

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I can't help you with this but I'm glad you played hookie from work today, everyone needs to sometimes!

Syndi,
Babs is right. Please start in the center; no matter how well you pin and or baste, it will shift. Not worth the anquish.

Yes....a day extra on my weekend was much needed and I absolutely enjoyed it! I am working on a queen size quilt....alot to handle. Seems the jury is in on "center out"....I guess I'll try your method bec and see how it goes. It also seems like I need to have a good size work table too. Not sure how I'll work that one out.
Thanks for your help all-
Syndi

Just checked that link....WOAH....would I love to have that space! :)

The other problem with starting from one side is you end up with the entire quilt between the needle and the neck of the machine. If you start in the center then you never have more than half the quilt to the right of the needle. If you start at one side make sure you have lots of extra batting and backing around all four sides of the quilt. Always go in the same direction from row to row. I'm with the others. Start in the middle and work your way out to the edge.

still trying to work this out..... I've made so many quilts for others for gifts and never had a problem. I decided to make this one for myself and it has been so difficult. I think I'll have to take out the one I just did (and struggled with) and start over.
:(.....
I think it might also be the thread. I'm using cotton machine quilting thread and it isn't working smoothly either.
Ugh-
Not giving up yet. I moved my machine to a larger table so the quilt isn't so bunched up.
Back at it tomorrow.
S

Good luck!

thanks Jessica!....I think sometimes when I get home from work, I'm so tired and it's not the best mood to work in.

I hear ya on that getting home from work and too tired. I have all these great and wonderful ideas while I am AT work, then...well, you know what happens. Good luck on your quilt. I've already learned a lot from this Forum; lots more information needed though.

Sharon