I have received a few questions and comments about my quilting. I thought I would post a little about my self taught technique in order to answer your questions.
But first, my disclaimer: I am self taught. I am by no means an expert (there is proof of that in past quilts).
First…the machinery! I use a Bernina Aurora 440 Quilters Edition. It is about 7 years old. It does have the stitch regulator.
When I first started quilting my tops, I used the stitch regulator. However, I no longer use the stitch regulator and I use it “old school” style.” What I found is that the my own foot and hands coordinate better on timing and speed then the stitch regulator. In addition, it is a little more flexible when you are doing detailed stitching. More on that a little later. The one thing I did add to my machine was a larger table. While I would love to have a sewing service where I could recess my machine, I do not. A larger table does make it easier to sew bigger quilt tops. One day…I will get a custom table with my machine recessed!!
How did I learn?
I practiced and practiced and practiced. I first started out with meandering quilting / stippling that I did on almost quilt until I felt comfortable. It took about 5 or 6 quilt tops until I felt comfortable and liked the results. The one thing that I found out is that practicing on a small sample quilt sandwich versus using a real quilt is a lot different. I would practice on a small sample, but I think you can’t beat quilting on the real deal…a real quilt top. I find straight line quilting hard because there is a level of perfection that I try to achieve because of the straight lines that seems almost impossible.
My advice…master stippling first. Try it over and over again before you try anything else.
In the quilt below, I used contrasting thread which had a very nice effect. For more information on the quilt below, you can click on this link.
Quilting Close Up – Contrasting Thread
Also, try different sizes of stippling, different ways to maneuver your entire quilt on your machine while quilting the top, etc. I certainly do not consider myself an expert or even intermediate, but I have improved over time and that is all you can hope for, right? I just like the idea of completing every element of a quilt. In the quilt below, I used a thread that blended right in and very small stippling.
The more you practice, the more you will understand your machine and the tension settings that you need to adjust when quilting. Check the front and back of the quilt to make sure the stitches are even and not too tight or too loose. If you go too fast or the stitches are pulling through the back, you need to slow down and reduce the tension. This is why you need to practice, practice, practice! For more details about the quilt below click here.
Applique…for the custom flower quilt below, I actually sewed on the applique pieces as part of the quilting process. I used very small stippling in the background and then outlined sewed each applique piece into place. Pretty tedious, but had a great result. Notice that when you use stippling, the sewing never crosses over itself; that is the key. Here is the link for more details on the quilt below.
Here is what it looks like to sew a larger quilt on my sewing machine. This takes some practice and the more you do it, the more you will learn about the best way to sew large quilts on your machine. Every machine is different…
TIP: I find that pulling my quilts toward me when quilting is easier than pushing them through.
Quilting the Top
Here is a closeup of some decorative quilting that I did on my Jasmine Quilt. This is the first quilt that I really branched out of stippling and did some more free form design…none of it was really planned. I just went for it. I did some shadow quilting, some meandering, some stippling, etc.
Also, notice the open foot below..I like this foot the best when quilting my tops so that I can see where I am going.
Quilting Close Up
Here is the finished quilt top…for more details on the quilt below, click here.
Jasmine Quilt All Finished
A few other key items:
I use aurifil cotton thread. It is the best and I use it on everything. I highly recommend it.
Aurifil
Practice, Practice, Practice
The more you practice, the more you will surprise yourself. And…..
Share your projects….would love to see your quilting adventures….
Thanks for the tips. I am quilting on a basic machine (ergo no throat space to speak of!) but am slowly getting the hang of it. I stumbled onto your blog from the lily’s quilts link party.
Practice!!! You will get the hang of it! I am still learning! You will also figure out the best way to work with your machine and different quilt sizes. I just finished quilting a top yesterday…I will post about it later today. Have a great day!
Loved your post. I recently bought the Bernina 820…I will admit it was primarily for the throat space on the machine. I have also ditched the stitch regulator. I seem to want to go just a shade faster than the regulator does. But I have loved playing with free motion quilting. Totally agree on your recommendation to practice!
I was just looking at that Bernina yesterday at my local shop. It does have a ton of throat space! I completely agree with the stitch regulator…cool idea but I think I go faster than it can go as well. Thanks for stopping by and happy quilting! I just finished a quilt top yesterday so stay tuned for a new post!
way to get noticed on craft gossip! I quilted on my domestic machine for about 15 years before I finally got a long arm. I like to look at designs like feathers or things that I see in nature, and practice drawing them on paper before I do them on the machine. I have a big pad of newsprint and a sharpie and will loosely draw a design over and over before I try to stitch it. It helps to figure out how you will continue your design. Even doodling your stipples helps. practice practice practice and don’t go back to rip things out! Your quilts are lovely!
Ohhhh…a long arm….someday!! I agree with the doodling concept. I find that if I can draw it that it makes it easier for me to quilt. The funny thing about quilting on your domestic machine is that you move the fabric which is completely the opposite of the the longarm where you move the machine. I equate the domestic machine and quilting to driving except that the car stays still but the road moves beneath you! Practice practice is right…I still have a long way to go! Long arm one day!! Thanks for stopping by!
You go girl! I love how adventuresome you are with your quilting. I am a beginning FMQer too and find that the more I do, the better I get at it.
For an inexpensive drop in table you might look into the Arrow Gidget sewing table. The table is under $200. and with the insert I think I paid just under $300.
Recently, I got one large enough to handle my Bernina 820 (along with a small, adjustable height table from IKEA to put behind it) and I love it. By having the machine level with the table surface, I find quilting so much easier. It greatly reduces the drag.
Quilt on……..
Thanks for the tip on the drop table. I really think having my machine recessed into the table will make a big difference. I spend a lot of time manuevering my quilt top so that it doesn’t get hung up on the edge of my machine table. But, I keep at it and hope to improve. Thanks for stopping by! Quilt On!
Loved you tips and you quilts are beautiful!
My problem is handling all the bulk. I’m about ready to un-baste a large old quilt top because I tried to start in the middle to quilt it. It was terrible so I took the stitches out. Now I’m trying to convince myself to try again. I’ve only made one twin size quilt a few years ago. You can see it on my blog if you want.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Debbie
Debbie…the bulk is the hardest thing always. I always start from the corner and quilt from one corner to the next, then rotate and quilt to the next corner. The entire time, I try to keep all of the bulk to the left of me. As you continue to do this, you will get closer and closer to the center, but will have to make shorter passes because you already have done the outside edges. And, for me it is always easer to pull the quilt towards me rather than to push the quilt through the machine. Also, make sure you clean off you surface before quilting and even use some light furniture polish to make sure the surface is as slick as possible. Just keep practicing…you will get better!!!
I am TERRIFIED to MQ because the first time I tried it, I somehow messed up the “thing that the bobbin sits in” (pardon the less than technical term but my neuromuscular disorder often leaves my mind blank of the word Im seeking!)… And I ended up spending more on it than if Id just have sent a quilt out!! Now Im just avraid to mess up. I am thinking of getting my grandmas Elna out and getting that up and running and try with that.