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Attempting My First Quilt not going so well..advice please
jannw   Intermediate WA USA Member since 9/3/06 Posts: 7392	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/23/12 8:13 AM My previous quilting experience includes a couple of free motion vests (about 7 years ago) and a cat quilt..20x20 which I am pleased with. The current quilt is about 46x50, a string quilt with a mix of fabrics..some inexpensive fat quarters from JoAnn's, Kaffe Fasset fabric, and sashing of Kona cotton. I'm using flannel as batting and a broadcloth cotton as backing. I'm only medium pleased with the looks of the top... I put together a sample of the top, flannel, and backing and tested my machines..I did get a good looking stitch on my computerized machine with the walking foot and, so went with that machine, even though the harp is only 6.25". My other choices were the featherweight and a vintage full size, but the walking foot won't fit either of those. Problems so far... 1. the 6" sash/border (Kaffe Fasset fabric) won't lay flat ..it seems to want to ruffle in the middle of two of the sides... 2. The top is bubbling as I sew, so I'm pulling a bit on it to get it to lay flat..the back looks fine so far. 3. the stitches are coming out very small..a result of the pulling and trying to get it through the harp space? I'm trying to quilt a basic 2" grid in the center design area and thought, after quilting, I could deal with the sash bubbling once I knew how the top would lay...was this a mistake to go ahead? I opted to set it in a chevron pattern, so I'm quilting on the bias of the strips. I used a Kaffee Fasset jelly roll and some of those fabrics didn't seem to be cut on the grain. Would the difference in the fabric hands and the bias be part of the problems? Where should I go from here??? ------ 2009-113.25 yds 2010-115.5 2011-80.25+30+donated 2012 86.3 yds.. 2013 21.0 Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
Sharon1952   Advanced MA USA Member since 7/1/08 Posts: 2641 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post In reply to jannw << Like this post Date: 11/23/12 8:49 AM What technique did you use to put the 3 layers together? I know most of the fabrics I picked up at JoAnns for some charity quilting were not cut on the grain and they were poorly woven sometimes. Can you send a picture? That sometimes really helps make a diagnosis. ------ Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown
jannw   Intermediate WA USA Member since 9/3/06 Posts: 7392	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sharon1952 << Like this post Date: 11/23/12 9:19 AM I pinned with long straight pins..about every four inches... I'll try to get a picture in a bit..still pretty dark here ----------------------------------------- Sorry for the poor pictures..but you can see the rippling of the outer sash..the right side is not that wavy..part of the problem is no floor space..it's abuting my couch. On the back side, you can see a bit of the way the stitching wants to veer to one side..I'm using the quilting guide..I'll probably be spending time picking several of those rows out. -- Edited on 11/23/12 9:55 AM -- ------ 2009-113.25 yds 2010-115.5 2011-80.25+30+donated 2012 86.3 yds.. 2013 21.0 Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
HDWen   Advanced Beginner AZ USA Member since 12/26/11 Posts: 1190	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/23/12 10:27 AM Cans of Spray basting :-) helps keep top nice and smooth and stuck to batting (flannel), spray baste back keeps it nice a flat holding it to batting! My first one did that too, not so much the front but the back OMG - I didn't keep it flat enough despite all the stupid hand basting AND pin basting. I'm hooked on sprays now. I don't know nothing but Love the Orange pop on the back. Wonder if your sewing all in one direction quilting or ?? Don't know which way would keep it from trying to bunch up - BUT it doesn't look TOO bunchy! Hope someone that's a real quilter comes along, I'd like to hear what they think too. ------ I have great enthusium for sewing, but lack talent to be great. 2013
Mufffet   Intermediate VT USA Member since 8/14/05 Posts: 8905	Login to reply to this post In reply to jannw << Like this post Date: 11/23/12 10:41 AM WOWOW...I love that! I love the colors and the pattern. It is just beautiful!Picking rows out? You don't need to. :) Edited to say that you can stop sewing and make sure you aren't pulling that quilt through. Just sort of squish it where it needs to be. Have you watched Leah Day's videos? She is really a gal with a lot of good common sense and a whole boatload of talent. I have gotten a lot from watching her. Leah Day I have no critiques of your quilt. It is your first, so anything you see there perhaps others will not see.You never know. Anyway I love it. -- Edited on 11/23/12 10:43 AM -- ------ "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama I have sewing machines
jannw   Intermediate WA USA Member since 9/3/06 Posts: 7392	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mufffet << Like this post Date: 11/23/12 10:56 AM Thank you..you made me feel better.... This is actually a lot brighter than it shows here..and the binding, should I get so far, is another Kaffee fabric..purple with black stripes! ------ 2009-113.25 yds 2010-115.5 2011-80.25+30+donated 2012 86.3 yds.. 2013 21.0 Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
jannw   Intermediate WA USA Member since 9/3/06 Posts: 7392	Login to reply to this post In reply to HDWen << 1 member likes this. Date: 11/23/12 11:01 AM Can you use that spray basting inside?? I may have enough room to lay it out in the bathroom, but it's been pouring rain outside.. I can just see basting Licorice to the quilt!! She thinks it her new one...discipline has been lax since her surgery and she's taking full advantage! I've been turning it after reach row so the quilting guide will be on the proper side..maybe I shouldn't... ------ 2009-113.25 yds 2010-115.5 2011-80.25+30+donated 2012 86.3 yds.. 2013 21.0 Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
Sharon1952   Advanced MA USA Member since 7/1/08 Posts: 2641 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post In reply to jannw << Like this post Date: 11/23/12 11:31 AM I usually don't use straight pins because they run into my hands when I sew- I use safety pins! My only suggestion would be to stretch the back a taut as possible and tape it down. Spray it and then lay batting on- then spray that and lay the top down. Start pinning in the center and smooth as you go out. Sometimes quilting will take care of those ripples in the edges. I also know quilters who start sewing at the border edge just to anchor the edges and then sew the inside area. It sort of evens out the fabric they claim instead of moving it all to the edge. When quilts are hand made you expect them to have imperfections just like their creators. I love your colors and pattern. ------ Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown
Cat n Bull   Advanced NC USA Member since 2/17/06 Posts: 1895	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 11/23/12 11:58 AM What a BEAUTIFUL quilt! I just LOVE those bright colors!! I don't have much to add about back puckers, I have limited experience to quilts with more traditional batting and fleece backs, but I think that once it's all done and washed, it won't be so noticeable to you! I pin baste, taping the back to the floor/table first. ------ Cathryn
katlew03   Advanced FL USA Member since 1/4/08 Posts: 3401	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/23/12 12:06 PM Jan -- saw a video (You Tube) on the Missouri Quilts site (I think) where she used the 505 spray and layered it n the wall using the spray between layers. I'll look for it, but this is what came up when I googled 505 spray basting: 505 spray basting Another video Spray Basting on Wall The last one is the one I was looking for on You Tube. It looks easy so I'll try it if/when I try a quilt. Hope this helps since I am not a quilter -- although I am slowly being converted. ------ Total fabric on hand: 1/1/13 1683.731 yds Sewn in 2012: 176.212 yds 2013 Goal: 400 yds (again) Jan -- 38.0 (11 items) Feb -- 6.5 (5) March -- (8.5) (2) April -- 17.66(18) May -- () June -- () July -- () August -- () September -- () October November December Total yards sewn to date -- 53.0 yards

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