AboutPatricia Fountain Expertise I can answer questions about sewing machine for quilting, supplies, equipment, fabrics, and methods of piecing including applique, foundation piecing, machine quilting and hand quilting.
Experience 40 years of sewing expertise over 10 years quilting. I have experience making quilts for beds, garments, table items (placemats, runners, etc.) wall hangings, etc. I teach quilting and sewing at my home studio.
Organizations American Quilting Society
Education/Credentials NYS Certified Home Economics Teacher (FACS)
Home Serwing Association Trained Sewing Educator
Question I'm just starting a Cathedral Window Quilt and have sewn together a row
of 5 blocks across and 3 down; now I'm putting in the smaller squares
and am finding this to be bulky in holding to stitch the middle
section. The blocks were originally 9 inch squares and after folding are 4
inches finished. I need to have one hand under and the other on top to
push the needle through correctly and am bunching the quilt from the
outside to the middle in one hand to hold and sew with the other so I can
feed the needle through pproperly. I want to make a queen size quilt but
am not sure how to handle as it becomes larger. Should I be working in
some kind of frame or hoop. If I work in small sections which are
easier to handle then I will still have to sew in the smaller squares after
I sew these small sections together and I don't know how to handle the
bulkiness of the quilt to get to the sewing properly as this quilt
grows in size. I appreciate any suggestions you might have on this. Barbara
Answer Hi Barbara,
I can imagine that this quilt does become bulky. I think you want to make each triple separately, then attach them as a quilt once you have made all you need. So, put in the smaller squares first in the future before attaching in rows. Be sure to use a good sharp needle.
Here area couple of sites you can look over for more ideas.
From the author who literally "wrote the book" on machine sewing the cathedral window quilt, and created some exciting new design ways too. http://www.shelleysstudio.com/
