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Thread: How do I

  1. #1
    sewsoft's Avatar sewsoft is offline Senior Member
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    Default How do I

    How do I learn to do meandering or free stitching on the top of my quilts?
    I've never done it before and I'm afraid to mess on up. They don't offer quilt classes
    in my area and online classes can be expensive. What is the common size lap quilt?

    Thanks everyone.

  2. #2
    jingleme's Avatar jingleme is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    I always make a small (potholder size) sandwich to practice on & get the tension settings right b4 I quilt for real on my project. Try this website for practice ideas & everything else you need to know:
    http://www.freemotionquilting.blogsp...tart-here.html

  3. #3
    brook's Avatar brook is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    I started by having a sandwiched block or bigger and practiced on that. It didn't wreak anything but the sample. : ) Jenny and her daughter has a tutorial on how to do Free Motion quilting. Also, tension setting will be important, so make sure when your practicing to keep an eye on the back of your piece and adjust accordingly. and just have fun with it. It usually takes some time to learn.
    Coleen

    "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good I can do, or any kindness I can show, let me do now, for I will not pass through this way again."

  4. #4
    Molamola is offline Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    The link to Leah day's website above has all sorts of amazing videos on Free Motion quilting including beginners quilt along tutorials and a whole host of inspiring free patterns to try.

    It's easy enough to make small practice sandwiches which you can turn into potholders/placemats/cup rugs.

  5. #5
    sewsoft's Avatar sewsoft is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    Can you make quilts look just as nice without doing free motion ?

  6. #6
    GrammaBabs's Avatar GrammaBabs is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    I think it depends on what your looking for.... my first "quilt" i just did fairly large "running stitch" with embroidery floss around all my seams... i loved it... you can do the same thing with your sewing machine (but be sure to use a "walking foot",,, you'll get horrible bunching and puckers if you don't)..... if it's a larger quilt... you'll end up like me,,, getting so frustrated with trying to "scrunch" it all up to work on... you'll get addicted and buy a frame and machine...
    All that being said... If quilting and making tops is your fun... try the 1st choice... if you like quite time or just like to pass the time while watching tv and putting your feet up at night... it's a wonderful way.... I knit and crochet.. so tv time is used for that... have fun...!!
    "Each day well-live and Happy;
    that's all there is to Life!"

  7. #7
    auntiemern's Avatar auntiemern is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    Check out youtube and look at free motion tutorials. I am still learning.
    You should check out our FB Group

    The Quilting Cupboard https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingcupboard//

    Blankets wrap you in warmth, quilts wrap you in love

    Marilyn......

  8. #8
    JuniperBean is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    Elizabeth Hartman also has a great tutorial available on her website. It's what I refer to every time I start a new quilt (because I guess I do a brain dump and forget how to set up the machine and the binding EVERY TIME!) Good luck!

    http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransso...-quilting.html
    -Kate
    Check out my blog, JuniperBean

  9. #9
    bkthomas's Avatar bkthomas is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    Quote Originally Posted by sewsoft View Post
    Can you make quilts look just as nice without doing free motion ?
    I haven't done any free motion yet and the answer to this question is yes you can make them look nice with-out using free motion - you can do stid or hand quilt. On the last quilt that I did I tried some stid, but gave that up as i was having a hard time manuevering, so I did some tying with baby yarn and the rest I hand quilted. I had used high loft batting because my grand-daughter wanted fat and fluffy! Best of luck to you....
    ~Kathy~

  10. #10
    jingleme's Avatar jingleme is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: How do I

    you can also tie your quilt together...gives it a really nice 'old fashioned' feel

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