Is it enough?

Dec 17, 2006 14 Replies

I need input please. I'm quilting these baby blankets -- at least I'm down to quilting the first one. I'm using a two-inch straight line grid. Is that enough quilting for a little-one's quilt? Do I need to put more stitches in? I confess that the lines are not perfect on these. I'm trying, but a woman who is banned from driving right now probably shouldn't be quilting, straight lines or any other. But it's necessary and can't wait.



If anybody has thoughts about the two-inch squares please let me know. I can go back and put a doodle in the middle of each square, I suppose. But if it's not enough, I certainly want to meander quilt the second one to start with.



Thanks, Sunny



link, please!? Tricia in TX

formatting link

Sunny wrote:

Tricia, it's nowhere near being ready for a link. I'll post when done. For now it's just a baby quilt in process.

Sunny

A&T wrote:

A 2" grid should be just fine Sunny. Don't stress!! If ever you want to do a grid, again, and you aren't happy about your lines being straight, try doing a randomly curved grid. They look marvellous, don't have to be parallel anywhere, and have no 'meant to be' positions. The lines can be placed as close or far apart as you want - just like straight ones. . In message , Sunny writes

I love this idea. I think I'll try it next time. My grids are NEVER parallel and every now and then, they are wavy. Oh well, galloping horse and all that.

-- Anita --

It's enough (unless your batting specifically states the lines have to be closer, but I doubt that's the case!) And you know what? After it's washed, you won't be able to see small hiccups in the stitching line. Just finished quilting a queen-size ornery monster. Started with a "grid" of

2" channels in one direction, then did the border and put on the binding (trying to get rid of some bulk and weight). I had big plans to make 2 more passes, one of them in a diagonal direction, but decided it looked just great as it was. My right arm is still sore. Roberta in D

"Sunny" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

Hi Sunny,

When I did a baby cot quilt, my foster sister showed me how to keeps the lines straight by laying masking tape as a guide on the material.

I marked a few rows, sewed beside the tape, then pulled the tape off and re-stuck it down. It really made it so much easier and neater. And because I wasn't trying to keep straight (without the tape) I quilted it very quickly.

Hope this makes sense for you.

What great suggestions. Thanks. You guys have come through for me again. (I knew you would ) I feel much better about this quilt. I'll tackle the other one today. It's pieced and just needs to be quilted. Simple, pretty much thrown together top. But the colors are pretty and bright and I think it will work.

Thanks for the help, Sunny

Mal> Hi Sunny,

I swear by masking tape for straight lines. I use the 1/4" one but presume all masking tape is the same and you could use just the ordinaty stuff you use for painting etc. I put a long ruler down the line I want to quilt along and butt the tape up to it. Then just follow the line. You can re-use the tape two or three times.

I like it better than using one of those metal arms that fit onto the walking foot.

I used to do that, too, Sally; but when I saw a couple of quilts done with the curved grid, I decided I wouldn't bother again! It really does look nice. . In message , Sally Swindells writes

Patti, I would love to see something quilted like this. I can't quite get it into my head but I love the way it sounds. I'm just not a straight lines person. Never have been, never will be. LOL.

Sunny

Patti wrote:

Do you keep the curves parallel?

No - that would make it difficult! They are kept roughly the same distance apart - just by eye; but the 'swings' from side to side are anything but parallel. The funny thing is that, when you've done the second and third one, it looks a bit bizarre; but after you have done about a dozen, it looks just fine. Then, when you've done the crossing lines it looks fabulous.

Try it on a scrap square and see - you don't even need to make a sandwich to see the effect. or even draw it! . In message , Sally Swindells writes

Sorry Sunny, I don't have any examples to show you; but I've just written a short 'how to do' note in answer to Sally's question. Try following that on a sheet of paper. You'll soon get the idea. Start by drawing an 'S' as a rough shape and just keep going. You can go across and down, or diagonally. . In message , Sunny writes

I also like using the "serpentine" or curvy line pattern of my machine to do quilting. And I don't have to worry about keeping lines straight or exactly parallel. I even just use something like the edge of the machine bed to gauge the distance between lines.

Pati, > No - that would make it difficult!

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