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
Expert: Patricia Fountain Date: 11/12/2007 Subject: techniques before quilting on machine
Question I have made my first quilt hoping to give to my mother for christmas, made the sandwich started quilting on machine but I didn't have it tight enough need to know what to do so I will have the quilt tight. what do I do for this process. thought about using a quilt frame but there are no instructions for putting it together. Can you help?
Answer First I need to know if you either basted the quilt sandwich or used pins to secure the layers? If you did then the next step is to decide on linear or freemotion quilting.
If you want to do a linear thing like stitch in the ditch or lines such as diagonals, etc, then you should have a "walking foot" this allows the layers to go through the machine with even pressure on both the top and the bottom.
If you want to use your darning foot to do "free motion" quilting, and have a machine that allows you to drop your presser feet, that allows you to do a pattern all over. Many people do a random pattern that looks like puzzle pieces called a wandering stitch or other terms. If you decide on this model, a tip is to get some gloves from the gardening section of the store that have the bumpy palms, the grip gloves. Use those to hold the quilt as it goes under the foot and it will make the process much easier.
If you have none of those things then the easiest thing to do is to tie the quilt. Using a large handsewing needle and a complimentary yarn, make a stitch and tie off every 6 inches. This will secure your quilt sandwich and make a nice finish.
For more information on any of the techniques I have mentioned you might go to your local quilt shop or Google the terms Machine Quilting, Free Motion Quilting, How to tie a quilt, etc.
Best of luck. If you decide this is going to be too difficult then there are often people who will machine quilt your top for a fee. However if you decide to go this route find a quilter quickly as they will likely be quite busy this season!
