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#1
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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 |
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#2
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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 |
#3
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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 |
#5
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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 |
#6
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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 |
#7
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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 |
#8
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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 |
#9
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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 |
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