Tips for Quilting the Big Quilt-Open Line Friday

December 2, 2016
Quilting the Double Wedding Ring, Kennedy

 

Quilting the Double Wedding Ring, Kennedy

 

Good Morning, Quilters!

It’s Open Line Friday–Everyone Asks…and EVERYONE ANSWERS!

We need to bring our collective heads together to answer the BIG QUESTION on every quilter’s mind…

How do I quilt that BIG QUILT on my LITTLE machine?

BasketQuilt.FMQ.LoriKennedy002

I have written about Quilting the Big Quilt HERE and HERE

Today, let’s focus on managing the bulk of the quilt.

Machine Quilting, Basket Quilt

First a few pointers:

Remember, it can be done!  This is critical–don’t give up.  Persevere!

Also, quilting a big quilt, takes time–25-50 hours is not unusual (Read More HERE)   Plan for that time–if you are rushed, the quilting will be more difficult!

Double Wedding Ring Quilting, LKennedy

Quilt from the center out.  That means you will only need to fit 1/2 the quilt into the harp space at a time.  But that also means you will have to stitch some of your motifs upside down or sideways.  Plan for that too.  Choose motifs that can be stitched in any direction or plan to draw the motif and follow the lines.

Provide as much support as possible to your quilt.  Place tables and ironing boards all around your sewing table to support the weight of the quilt.

If possible, place your sewing table in a corner of your room.  The walls will help keep the quilt from falling off the edge –which creates tugging while you are stitching.

Use your elbows.  When stitching a big quilt, place your hands in the normal position, and use your left elbow to help move the weight of the quilt and to keep the quilt from tugging.

Stabilize the long axes.  Stitching from the center out, stitch from the top of the quilt to the bottom of the quilt along the seam-lines to stabilize the long axes of the quilt.  Then go back and do the same along the horizontal axes.  Once this is complete, you can stitch anywhere in your quilt in any order without worrying that the quilt will be twisted.

Small motifs on big quilts.  It is difficult to stitch large, sweeping movements when you have to slide a queen size quilt.  Keep the motifs fairly small for best results.

Take frequent breaks.  Stitching a big quilt can be physically challenging.  Take frequent breaks to release the stress in your shoulders, neck and wrists.

Lori Kennedy, Craftsy, Doodle to Design

Have fun while you are quilting.  Don’t take yourself too seriously.  If there are mistakes–put a pin in it and decide later if you want to go back to correct it.  Often a mistake in machine quilting won’t be noticeable once the entire quilt is complete.

Remember–personality is more important than perfection when it comes to quilting…(and maybe in life?!)

What about YOU?

Do YOU have some tips for quilting the big quilt YOU can share?!

If it works for YOU it will probable help someone else…

We’d LOVE to hear!

Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

 

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