Advice needed: tying off versus machine quilting.

Oh my, that's a good question. I haven't tied anything in years so I can't
help with that. I MQ all my quilts because for me it's WAY faster and so
much more durable than handquilting.

I think the fastest way for you to MQ it would be to buy a walking foot
(which are pricey for Berninas--nearly $100 I'd guess, but well worth it esp
if you plan to get serious about MQing), PRACTICE on some quilt sandwiches
(the bigger the better) and then quilt simple straight lines, which would
look fine on a 9-patch. Be really fussy when you make the quilt sandwich,
too--the more time you spend doing that, the less aggravation with tucks
you'll have later.

Finally-- I admire you for wanting to make a quilt in 2 months...my
experience, over some years, is that they *always* take much longer than I
expect, or want! Murphy's Law thrives in my quiltmaking. If that's true for
you, you might consider a)making them placemats or a table runner
instead--easier to learn MQing on and certainly beautiful--you could make
matching napkins, too--or b) let them know their present is coming a month
or more after they get married. I"ve never had anyone object to getting a
quilt late! I sure don't mean to rain on your parade here; rather to
possibly save you some major frustration which I have experienced more times
than I care to recall! Whatever you do, go for it and have fun and remember,
there's no such thing as a stupid question at RCTQ!

Dogmom

"WhansaMi" wrote in message
...
Okay, here's the deal: my niece is getting married Sept 14th. I'd like
to
make a quilt for her for a wedding present. For those of you who have not
read
my posts before--I am a newbie. Here's the situation:

General considerations: I've made 3 quilts in my life, the last one about
7
years ago. Two of those were tied off, one was a sort of "cheater's"
quilt
using a method called "Woven and Quilted", so I've never really quilted a
quilt. I recently got a new machine (Bernina 125, which has a relatively
smaller bed, I think) and this will be my first project on it.

Quilt considerations: I've chosen a NinePatch pattern, figuring I could
strip
piece it relatively easily and quickly (one of my other two quilts was a
NinePatch). The patches will be going straight across (my other NinePatch
was
on the diagonal). Each square will be 6 inches. Total quilt size will be
59 X
83. I plan to use 3/8 inch seams, because I'm new and I'm afraid of it
falling
apart. ;-)

Time considersations: I'm a teacher, so I'm off for a few more weeks, and
can
spend a substantial amount of time on the quilt. However, in mid-August,
I'll
be back at school, and will have VERY limited time (setting up classrooms
and
getting lessons ready is time-consuming). Similarly, the first few weeks
of
school can be hectic.

I'd like some opinions: should I attempt to machine quilt this quilt, or
should I tied off? If I tie it off, does anyone have a recommendation
about a
pattern of doing it? If I machine quilt it, what would be the
simplest/least
time-consuming/least capable of having me screw it up way? :-)

Sheila, aka She of the Stupid Questions

Any time you're under a time crunch, stick with what you know. Are you more
comfortable tying or machine quilting? If machine quilting, are you more
comfortable doing straight line work (i.e. walking foot) or freemotion?

For most of the ladies in my quilt circle, they would be most comfortable
tying with yarn, using a square knot. But I've never done a quilt that way,
so it would be the wrong choice for me.

And remember, don't make yourself crazy over this! If worst comes to worst,
you can always give your niece a nice photo of the quilt in progress, with
an approximate finish date. Not as nice as the finished product, to be sure,
but better than a nervous breakdown!

"WhansaMi" wrote in message
...

I'd like some opinions: should I attempt to machine quilt this quilt, or
should I tied off? If I tie it off, does anyone have a recommendation
about a
pattern of doing it? If I machine quilt it, what would be the
simplest/least
time-consuming/least capable of having me screw it up way? :-)


--
-----
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
longarm machine quilting, Queen of Fabric Tramps
remove the obvious to reply

Hullo Sheila
Yes, you could tie it. You could use your machine and make the 'ties'
individual little motifs from the embroidery stitches.
However, it *could* be quick to machine quilt it, if you used a very
simple pattern and *if* you have a walking foot. (Kathy mentioned 'free
motion', but I would guess you haven't got that far yet?)
If you already have a walking foot, the simplest design I have found,
which would work well with your nine patches is 'Hanging Diamonds'.
It is all straight lines. The lines start and stop at the very outer
edge, so all the ends will be within the binding, so there is no
finishing off of thread ends, either.

Hanging Diamonds consists of one set of diagonal rows - these could be
diagonal across the squares of your nine patches. When you said each
'square' would be 6", did you mean that each nine patch would be 18"
square? or did you mean that each 'block' would be six inches? It
doesn't matter, but you will just have to adjust where you wish to place
the diagonal rows, ie which parts of the nine patches they will cross.
Whatever distance apart you decide for them, using a similar (or same)
distance, sew straight lines up *or* down the quilt. These lines will
intersect with the diagonal lines and will form diamonds; but they won't
look quite like diamonds, because they will be lying down - so to speak;
or 'hanging', depending on how you place them. You could do this in one
day I'm sure. I think even I could, and I'm terribly slow!!

If you haven't got a walking foot, and are not able to buy one in time,
then be happy with your tying. You will almost certainly want a walking
foot eventually if you are going to do machine quilting (they are also
handy for sewing on bindings). The reason for them is that the extra
feed dogs in the foot are *above* the quilt, so that it is fed through
with dogs both over and under it. This makes for a much smoother
feeding, with less risk of puckering.
..
In article , WhansaMi
writes
Okay, here's the deal: my niece is getting married Sept 14th. I'd like to
make a quilt for her for a wedding present. For those of you who have not read
my posts before--I am a newbie. Here's the situation:

General considerations: I've made 3 quilts in my life, the last one about 7
years ago. Two of those were tied off, one was a sort of "cheater's" quilt
using a method called "Woven and Quilted", so I've never really quilted a
quilt. I recently got a new machine (Bernina 125, which has a relatively
smaller bed, I think) and this will be my first project on it.

Quilt considerations: I've chosen a NinePatch pattern, figuring I could strip
piece it relatively easily and quickly (one of my other two quilts was a
NinePatch). The patches will be going straight across (my other NinePatch was
on the diagonal). Each square will be 6 inches. Total quilt size will be 59 X
83. I plan to use 3/8 inch seams, because I'm new and I'm afraid of it falling
apart. ;-)

Time considersations: I'm a teacher, so I'm off for a few more weeks, and can
spend a substantial amount of time on the quilt. However, in mid-August, I'll
be back at school, and will have VERY limited time (setting up classrooms and
getting lessons ready is time-consuming). Similarly, the first few weeks of
school can be hectic.

I'd like some opinions: should I attempt to machine quilt this quilt, or
should I tied off? If I tie it off, does anyone have a recommendation about a
pattern of doing it? If I machine quilt it, what would be the simplest/least
time-consuming/least capable of having me screw it up way? :-)

Sheila, aka She of the Stupid Questions

--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

Tying would be nice

You could also machine "tie" it if you like. Choose a nice stitch on
your machine (or even the zig zag done in place like on the ends of
buttonholes) and use to "tie" the quilt at the block corners

The simplest machine quilting I think would be to use a walking or even
feed foot. Do straight lines diagonally across the blocks. Just start
at one corner and down to the opposite. Turn and back up the other way.
You can actually do the entire quilt with only one start and stop.

I think either of these methods will get you completed before your back
to school deadline.

marcella

In article ,
(WhansaMi) wrote:

Okay, here's the deal: my niece is getting married Sept 14th. I'd like to
make a quilt for her for a wedding present. For those of you who have not
read
my posts before--I am a newbie. Here's the situation:

General considerations: I've made 3 quilts in my life, the last one about 7
years ago. Two of those were tied off, one was a sort of "cheater's" quilt
using a method called "Woven and Quilted", so I've never really quilted a
quilt. I recently got a new machine (Bernina 125, which has a relatively
smaller bed, I think) and this will be my first project on it.

Quilt considerations: I've chosen a NinePatch pattern, figuring I could strip
piece it relatively easily and quickly (one of my other two quilts was a
NinePatch). The patches will be going straight across (my other NinePatch
was
on the diagonal). Each square will be 6 inches. Total quilt size will be 59
X
83. I plan to use 3/8 inch seams, because I'm new and I'm afraid of it
falling
apart. ;-)

Time considersations: I'm a teacher, so I'm off for a few more weeks, and
can
spend a substantial amount of time on the quilt. However, in mid-August,
I'll
be back at school, and will have VERY limited time (setting up classrooms and
getting lessons ready is time-consuming). Similarly, the first few weeks of
school can be hectic.

I'd like some opinions: should I attempt to machine quilt this quilt, or
should I tied off? If I tie it off, does anyone have a recommendation about
a
pattern of doing it? If I machine quilt it, what would be the simplest/least
time-consuming/least capable of having me screw it up way? :-)

Sheila, aka She of the Stupid Questions

I would suggest tying it, instead of machine quilting. It sounds like you
have some apprehension about machine quilting. If that is true, you will
want to take your time with machine quilting. Don't try to rush it to meet
a tight deadline.

If you are worried that your tied quilt will not be "good enough" to give to
your niece, I think you are wrong. It's been my experience that the
recipient of the quilt isn't looking to see if your points match up or how
many stitches/inch your hand quilting is. All they see is the wonderful
gift you have given them. Something YOU have made just for THEM. They
never see the mistakes that you have made in creating it, they just see the
love.

So tie it. Its easier, quicker, neat, attractive, AND less stressful.

As for a pattern for tying. You want to make sure that you secure the quilt
layers enough that the batting will not shift. I would suggest spacing the
knots not more that 6" apart. The closer they are together the more secure
the layers will be. You could put a knot where the corners of the squares
meet and one in the middle of each square. That would be a nice simple
pattern.

Here is a webpage that describes how to make he knots. I found this doing a
quick search on "tying quilts".
http://kcprojectlinus.home.att.net/_quiltie.html

I hope this helps.





"WhansaMi" wrote in message
...
Okay, here's the deal: my niece is getting married Sept 14th. I'd like
to
make a quilt for her for a wedding present. For those of you who have not
read
my posts before--I am a newbie. Here's the situation:

General considerations: I've made 3 quilts in my life, the last one about
7
years ago. Two of those were tied off, one was a sort of "cheater's"
quilt
using a method called "Woven and Quilted", so I've never really quilted a
quilt. I recently got a new machine (Bernina 125, which has a relatively
smaller bed, I think) and this will be my first project on it.

Quilt considerations: I've chosen a NinePatch pattern, figuring I could
strip
piece it relatively easily and quickly (one of my other two quilts was a
NinePatch). The patches will be going straight across (my other NinePatch
was
on the diagonal). Each square will be 6 inches. Total quilt size will be
59 X
83. I plan to use 3/8 inch seams, because I'm new and I'm afraid of it
falling
apart. ;-)

Time considersations: I'm a teacher, so I'm off for a few more weeks, and
can
spend a substantial amount of time on the quilt. However, in mid-August,
I'll
be back at school, and will have VERY limited time (setting up classrooms
and
getting lessons ready is time-consuming). Similarly, the first few weeks
of
school can be hectic.

I'd like some opinions: should I attempt to machine quilt this quilt, or
should I tied off? If I tie it off, does anyone have a recommendation
about a
pattern of doing it? If I machine quilt it, what would be the
simplest/least
time-consuming/least capable of having me screw it up way? :-)

Sheila, aka She of the Stupid Questions

I would suggest tying it, instead of machine quilting. It sounds like you
have some apprehension about machine quilting. If that is true, you will
want to take your time with machine quilting. Don't try to rush it to meet
a tight deadline.

If you are worried that your tied quilt will not be "good enough" to give to
your niece, I think you are wrong. It's been my experience that the
recipient of the quilt isn't looking to see if your points match up or how
many stitches/inch your hand quilting is. All they see is the wonderful
gift you have given them. Something YOU have made just for THEM. They
never see the mistakes that you have made in creating it, they just see the
love.

So tie it. Its easier, quicker, neat, attractive, AND less stressful.

As for a pattern for tying. You want to make sure that you secure the quilt
layers enough that the batting will not shift. I would suggest spacing the
knots not more that 6" apart. The closer they are together the more secure
the layers will be. You could put a knot where the corners of the squares
meet and one in the middle of each square. That would be a nice simple
pattern.

Here is a webpage that describes how to make he knots. I found this doing a
quick search on "tying quilts".
http://kcprojectlinus.home.att.net/_quiltie.html

I hope this helps.


Thanks, EVERYONE, for the input. I've decided to put off making a firm
decision until I have the top made, but I'm leaning toward tying. I think I'd
be more comfortable having my first experience with machine quilting on a
small, less "important" piece, but we'll see how I feel after I get it done.

I have the first strips all done, and today I press, cut and piece the squares.
I've decided I really like the fabrics I've chosen! I'll try to find a way to
post pics when I'm done.

Sheila

How about quiltling it with a stitch in the ditch. It's not too time
consuming, it's just a question of getting used to it.


Well, as I have been stitching my blocks, I remembered one of the advantages of
tying off---you can disguise any imperfections of points that way! So, I might
have to do it!

Sheila

I'd do a bunch of diagonal lines that go corner-to-corner, both ways,
through the darker patches on your 9-patch, in a diamond
grid....unless the mental picture I have of your quilt isn't quite
accurate.

This would be easier with a walking foot, but you can do without.
Suggestions: a big flat area to the left and behind wherever your
machine is set up, even with the bed of the machine. Wax the bed of
your machine. Starch the backing material so it's nice and slick. Use
basting spray so the batting is securely "stuck" to the top and
backing. Use cotton batting because it creeps less. Then....add some
safety pins for good measure, positioned so you won't have to sew over
them.

Go slow, holding the layers together as you sew, and "creep" of the
layers should be virtually non-existant.

Dragonfly

(WhansaMi) wrote in message ...
Okay, here's the deal: my niece is getting married Sept 14th. I'd like to
make a quilt for her for a wedding present. For those of you who have not read
my posts before--I am a newbie. Here's the situation:

General considerations: I've made 3 quilts in my life, the last one about 7
years ago. Two of those were tied off, one was a sort of "cheater's" quilt
using a method called "Woven and Quilted", so I've never really quilted a
quilt. I recently got a new machine (Bernina 125, which has a relatively
smaller bed, I think) and this will be my first project on it.

Quilt considerations: I've chosen a NinePatch pattern, figuring I could strip
piece it relatively easily and quickly (one of my other two quilts was a
NinePatch). The patches will be going straight across (my other NinePatch was
on the diagonal). Each square will be 6 inches. Total quilt size will be 59 X
83. I plan to use 3/8 inch seams, because I'm new and I'm afraid of it falling
apart. ;-)

Time considersations: I'm a teacher, so I'm off for a few more weeks, and can
spend a substantial amount of time on the quilt. However, in mid-August, I'll
be back at school, and will have VERY limited time (setting up classrooms and
getting lessons ready is time-consuming). Similarly, the first few weeks of
school can be hectic.

I'd like some opinions: should I attempt to machine quilt this quilt, or
should I tied off? If I tie it off, does anyone have a recommendation about a
pattern of doing it? If I machine quilt it, what would be the simplest/least
time-consuming/least capable of having me screw it up way? :-)

Sheila, aka She of the Stupid Questions

I'm a recycler at heart. I would suggest making pillows out of the
quilt, or stuffed animals. I made teddybears out of a fur coat after
my mother in law died and gave them to her kids. Also took some of
her cloths and made her hubby a small wall quilt. He loves it. And
recognizes all the different fabrics that she wore. Used the buttons
to tie it off. And used butterfly appliques that were on some to
embellish it. You could make a small table quilt that goes in the
center of your table and use it during the holidays out of the quilt
you bought. I keep a small lap quilt I made in my car for when were
traveling and my legs get cold. It was also made out of my mother in
laws cloths. These things last a long time because they dont get the
same amount of use that a regular quilt would get. Hope these ideas
get your imagaination juices flowing.
Karrie Hatridge