Quilting in Sections by Marti Michell

I use that way to quilt most of the time - it is similar to quilt-as-you-go and I find it easier on my arms and fingers when trying to push the quilt through the machine. Di I'm creative! You can't expect me to be neat too. Vic Australia

Haven't seen the book, but this isn't rocket science. You could figure this out for yourself! the method is amenable to any sort of machine quilting. If you want some kind of all-over design like stippling, simply allow room to do it across the seam as you add each section.

Thus you would start with a middle strip or with the left-hand edge (work through it mentally to decide which is easier). Quilt any way you like, but leave a couple of inches free at each edge where you need to attach. Then attach the next strip. You can do this by attaching the top and backing separately if you don't want the effect of a quilted line. Make sure the batting is trimmed so it butts together to avoid lumps. You might want to whip the batting edges together by hand. Then quilt that strip and carry on as before. You can add borders this way as well, even mitered ones.

The only tricky bit, really, is to baste enough so there is absolutely no shifting. This is a good way to make a double-sided quilt, pieced on both sides with the same size blocks. Roberta in D

The book describes various ways to reduce the bulk when quilting a large quilt. It is not about quilting patterns, free-motion, or straight line. One of the techniques she describes is much like the one I devised for myself and documented on my website before the book was published. .

Another technique she describes (which I had used before seeing the book) is to cut away the batting from an outside section of the quilt, quilting the center section with the batting, adding the cut-away batting back in, and quilting that section. I did that with a couple quilts and described the technique (though not in great detail) at

Of course, her book has more detail and some other ideas that I haven't used, but this may give you some idea of how useful you would find the book.

Julia in MN

Thanks Di. That's exactly what I was figuring.

Leigh Harris Perth, Western Australia

"DiMa" wrote

I use that way to quilt most of the time - it is similar to quilt-as-you-go and I find it easier on my arms and fingers when trying to push the quilt through the machine. Di I'm creative! You can't expect me to be neat too. Vic Australia

Thanks Roberta. I was thinking this way already, but the truth is that I'm pretty much a visual learner and I benefit a great deal from having a set of instructions, especially with diagrams, that shows me what to do. (I'm one of those people who actually reads the instruction book when I get something new...) The dividing and quilting part wasn't a problem. It's exactly how to join it that could be. Your explanation was quite simple and helpful though so thanks for that.

I've already decided to have a go at it, but I'll probably still get the book as it looks quite informative.

Leigh Harris Perth, Western Australia

"Roberta" wrote

Haven't seen the book, but this isn't rocket science. You could figure this out for yourself! the method is amenable to any sort of machine quilting. If you want some kind of all-over design like stippling, simply allow room to do it across the seam as you add each section.

Thus you would start with a middle strip or with the left-hand edge (work through it mentally to decide which is easier). Quilt any way you like, but leave a couple of inches free at each edge where you need to attach. Then attach the next strip. You can do this by attaching the top and backing separately if you don't want the effect of a quilted line. Make sure the batting is trimmed so it butts together to avoid lumps. You might want to whip the batting edges together by hand. Then quilt that strip and carry on as before. You can add borders this way as well, even mitered ones.

The only tricky bit, really, is to baste enough so there is absolutely no shifting. This is a good way to make a double-sided quilt, pieced on both sides with the same size blocks. Roberta in D

Thanks Julia. I actually found your page when I Googled looking for information. It explains it very well and I really like the fact that there is no hand stitching or sashing required. Other methods I found had one or both of these. The sashing doesn't work for my quilt and the hand stitching doesn't work for my time (or skill). VBG.

Both your quilt and your explanation are great and have given me the confidence to go ahead. I expect I'll still get the book anyway as there is, as you say, much more detail and she also explains a few different ways of doing it, but in the meantime it's full steam ahead.

Thanks for your help!

Leigh Harris Perth, Western Australia

"Julia in MN" wrote

The book describes various ways to reduce the bulk when quilting a large quilt. It is not about quilting patterns, free-motion, or straight line. One of the techniques she describes is much like the one I devised for myself and documented on my website before the book was published. .

Another technique she describes (which I had used before seeing the book) is to cut away the batting from an outside section of the quilt, quilting the center section with the batting, adding the cut-away batting back in, and quilting that section. I did that with a couple quilts and described the technique (though not in great detail) at

Of course, her book has more detail and some other ideas that I haven't used, but this may give you some idea of how useful you would find the book.

Julia in MN

I have the book and she has some good ideas. One tip that I picked up from someone else was how to stitch the two pieces of batting together. Instead of a regular zig zag use a modified zig zag if you have it on your machine. Rather than one stich over and one back it's 3 over and 3 back. Sort of like this:

\ \ \ / / /

The edges don't bunch together like they tend to do with a regular zigzag.

HTH Allison

Thanks Alison. I'll keep a note of that.

Leigh Harris Perth, Western Australia "AllisonH"

I have the book and she has some good ideas. One tip that I picked up from someone else was how to stitch the two pieces of batting together. Instead of a regular zig zag use a modified zig zag if you have it on your machine. Rather than one stich over and one back it's 3 over and 3 back. Sort of like this:

\ \ \ / / /

The edges don't bunch together like they tend to do with a regular zigzag.

HTH Allison

Just a very minor thought - but do let me recommend that you test this manner of quilting on something before you launch off to a quilt top that has a heap of heart and soul in it. A crib quilt or shelter quilt will be fine. I tried, twice, quilting in sections and was not thrilled with the results. I'm not nay-saying; I'm just suggesting that you do a trial run. Polly

Excellent point Polly. Thanks.

Leigh Harris Perth, Western Australia

"Polly Esther" wrote

Just a very minor thought - but do let me recommend that you test this manner of quilting on something before you launch off to a quilt top that has a heap of heart and soul in it. A crib quilt or shelter quilt will be fine. I tried, twice, quilting in sections and was not thrilled with the results. I'm not nay-saying; I'm just suggesting that you do a trial run. Polly