Grandma's quilting frame

[Simply Quilting]

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This is the quilting frame that one of my grandmas used. I kinda remember it being used. I wrapped the sheets around until I can get figured out exactly how I want to attach the pin to fabric to the wood. I believe that my uncle made this for my grandma. I do know she did a lot of quilts with it.

It takes up the whole living room.

If anyone has any hints or tips for using this, please let me know.

[tdimitrov77]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

My Grandma had a wooden frame...it was different than this....but she used push pins to attach the fabric on it. I hope you figure it out so you can use it! If I had more room I would make one like my Grandmas.

[Doloris]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

I have one too, and I use ticking fabric and thumb tacks to attach it to the frame. I would recommend a heavier weight fabric for the "leaders". It takes a lot of thumb tacks.
I also only attach the backing and batting and roll them on the bars. Then I float the top, letting it hang over the far bar. Then I can adjust it as needed.

[Bubby]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

Make your quilt sandwich and baste it. Pin or baste one end of your quilt to the leader on one rail of the frame. If there isn't a cloth leader (just a strip of sturdy fabric like canvas) you could add one to each end with a staple gun. Gently begin to roll the quilt onto the rail, making sure to keep it smooth. After most of it is rolled, attach the other end of the quilt to the remaining rail. Continue rolling until your quilt is firm but not too tight. It's hard to make nice stitches if the quilt is "put in" too tight. You would then quilt across one section of the quilt and then roll out a new section and keep quilting.

PS. If your frame doesn't have a cloth leader and you don't want to put one on, there are special thumb tacks made for quilts. They are available at quilt shops. If your rails have leaders or if you add them, put a permanent mark at the center point and match that point to the center of your quilt.

[Doloris]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

amended to say, that when I float my top, I mean that I do not roll it on the bar. I do position it over the back and batting and pin across the top to hold it in place. Then when it is time to roll, I unpin roll and repin in position. I just seem to get a better smoothing than when it is also rolled on the far bar. it is just my personal preference.

[easyquilts]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

What a wonderful thing to have!

[Simply Quilting]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

Thank you everyone for your help. The suggestions will sure make it easier to get started. THANK YOU

[auntiemern]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

I am assuming your grandma hand quilted. My Granny has big wooden frames to. She used tacks to hold the pieced to the frame.

[Jen7]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

I used to sit and watch my grandmother and great grandmother hand quilt on a frame just like this...now I wish I had paid more attention as a child! They used the thumbtack method the others explained.

[Annie Pearl]

Re: Grandma's quilting frame

I so much wish I had the room for a quilt frame. I love to hand quilt but find quilting in a hoop frustrating since you have to move the hoop so often. Maybe someday I'll have a little bit of extra room so I can have one of the Grace quilting frames that don't take up so much room.:icon_wave