Choose a Quilting Approach-Roadmap Series Step 2
Happy Halloween, Quilters!
Today, we will choose a quilting approach for our quilts.
Choosing an approach is the second step in our Quilting Roadmap and the first design decision you need to make.
(The first step on the quilting roadmap is to hang and photograph your quilt. (Read more in Just Begin Quilting HERE.)
Three Quilting Approaches
I find it helpful to divide quilting design into three categories:
- Basic Outlining
- Allover Quilting
- Custom Quilting
When you decide which approach to quilting you will take, it will focus some of the later decisions like batting, thread and motifs.
Basic Outlining
For the basic outlining approach, the quilter stitches in the ditch all of the major seam lines. Additional, simple lines may be added, including curved or straight outlines of the pieced blocks. Many quilters use walking foot or machine guided technique for outlining, though you can free motion quilt outlines.
The primary goal of the basic outlining approach is to adhere the three layers of the quilt together without adding new design elements.
Advantages: Requires minimal design. May be stitched with feed dogs engaged–therefore does not require free motion quilting skill.
Disadvantages-If stitched with feed dogs engaged, you will need to turn the quilt-within the harp space -frequently.
Allover Quilting
For the allover approach to quilting, the quilter chooses one motif and one thread to stitch over the entire quilt. Some quilters call this method “meandering” or “stippling” after the motif frequently employed in this approach. However, for our discussion, I prefer the design term “allover quilting” and reserve the terms “meandering and stippling” to mean the wiggly, worm motif.
The primary goal of allover quilting is to adhere the three layers of the quilt together while adding a subtle, patterned texture.
Advantages-Fastest method. Requires learning only one free motion quilting motif. Creates a textured quilt.
Disadvantages-Does not enhance the quilt top piecing or applique elements. Tends to flatten the look of the quilt design. Requires free motion technique. Thread choice can be challenging especially for quilts with high value contrast.
Custom Quilting
For the custom quilting approach, the quilt top is designed in sections. A section includes similar areas within the quilt, for example blocks, borders, sashing. Each section of the quilt requires a separate design plan including motifs and thread.
The primary goal of custom quilting is to adhere the three layers of the quilt together and to add design emphasis to enhance the quilt top.
Advantages-Enhances the quilt top design and allows you to create focal points as well as texture.
Disadvantages-Requires the most amount of time for design and for stitching.
Choosing the Best Approach
Each approach: basic outlining, allover and custom quilting, has merit and may be the best choice for your quilt.
When choosing an approach, think about who the quilt is for and how it will be used. For example, if you are making a baby quilt that will be used frequently, it may be best to keep the quilting simple and emphasize texture. On the other hand, if the quilt will be used as an art piece in the baby’s room, you might prefer the custom quilting approach.
Consider how much time you would like to spend designing and quilting. Basic outlining and overall quilting require less time than custom quilting.
Also think about your skill level. Custom quilting is not more difficult than the other approaches, but design time may be longer. Also, if you are not ready to try free motion quilting, basic outlining is the best option.
How Should I Quilt this Quilt Top?
For the next few weeks, I will share more of my roadmap for machine quilting. Many of the ideas are from my Bluprint class, Creating a Quilting Plan, Approaches for Any Quilt
One Million Jack-o-Lantern Fans
It’s been a real treat to see my Jack-o-Lantern video on BERNINA’s We All Sew has reached over 1 million fans on their website, Facebook and Instagram. Thank YOU for helping to make the series of machine quilting videos a huge success!
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to Lori Kennedy Quilts. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
Hi Lori,
I love this series and am looking forward to the rest of the “Roadmap”. I have been quilting a number of years and love making quilts for kids. By discovering the national organization “Quilts For Kids”, it has allowed me to make as many quilts for kids as I can possibly can. After all, how many quilts can one person have in their own home, right? I have quilted all of the quilts that I have made except my first which was a 25 Block Sampler quilt with each block being 12″. I started quilting with the walking foot but had a constant desire to adventure into FMQ. With an Introductory class to FMQ under my belt, I have learn all that I know by watching videos and of course doodling a huge amount of time thanks to you. I have also watched a couple of your classes on Bluprint/Craftsy. I am now at the level of doing allover FMQ but have yet to do a custom quilt. That will be my next goal. Thanks so much for all you give of yourself to the quilting community.
Wow, an interesting class this morning already! Thank you. BTW I looooove the big mug rug pictured!! Well, I’m off to get me some more chemo!! Blessed so far!
I’m a longarm quilter now, but I quilted all my quilts on a domestic machine for 8 years before I got my longarm. One thing I learned early is that I’m just not very good at stitching in the ditch. I’m not the only one, I know.
So I just want to mention, for those getting started with free motion quilting, that you can make another choice that does almost the same thing — stitch along about 1/8″ from the ditch. I love the sculptural effect of defining that seamline, but it turns out better for me if I don’t try to make my stitching line hit the ditch exactly. I often am doing that line of stitches (which I call “outlining”) on both sides of a seamline, but it isn’t always necessary. It depends on what will show, what will make a difference and not.
Just an idea for anyone who finds stitching in the ditch to be a sticking point. Outlining still emphasizes the piecing and stabilizes the quilting for whatever you do inside the piece you’re outlining.
If your machine has it, use the slowest speed. It makes stitch in the ditch a little easier. Or try putting your foot pedal backwards to slow yourself down.
I iron my seams open, so there really is no “ditch.” This is one place where a straight ruler comes in really handy for me. I am straight-line challenged as it is, and trying to do it next to or on another line is far beyond my capabilities.
How ignorant was I !! I thought that teensy space between the pieces WAS the ditch in open pressed joinings. If pressed to one side, I thought the ditch was right on the seam line. Who knew… not me!
Love this series – I need all the help I can get deciding what to quilt! I have another element to consider when choosing which type of quilting to do….the fabric. Over the past 2 days I have spent hours custom quilting a batik table runner; however, one can barely see the beautiful (if I might say so myself!) ruler work and custom fill because of the busy fabric…what a disappointment! Well, at least it was great practice and I learned to really look at the fabric before deciding to dedicate so much time to the quilting!
Thank you… I needed this before I embark on one of my Christmas projects.. : )
No matter what type of quilt I design I always plan on quilting with an allover design. But, by the quilting stage I have figured out ways to make the stitching more complex. Guess it’s just my inner artist trying to come out! I have a few panels that are so pretty they don’t need to be quilted. Just adding a border makes them look finished. How do you deal with the panels that are just too pretty to stick thread all over? I don’t want to stretch them over canvas.
I use “invisible” thread (mono-poly by Superior Threads) to quilt around the elements in the panel. This helps to emphasize them and gives the panel depth. Hope that helps &/or gives you ideas…..
That was a great presentation! Well done! I’m glad Google suggested you.
When I read “mapping for quilting” I thought you were using a map motif. Ithought “Gee, that doesn’t sound very pretty” I pictured red and blue lines all over. Silly me.
On every quilt, I tell myself I’m just going to do an easy, all-over design–get it done! But every time, I end up doing custom quilting. Evenn quilts I’m going to donate, etc., I rationalize that it is a good place to practice. I just can’t seem to help myself!