I have so many things on my mind lately.
I just can't seem to figure out how to get them all out.
I've been thinking a lot about quilting and I need a little feedback from you.
I would like it if you would leave a comment asking a question about machine quilting.
Like are there any hints, tips, tricks that you think would help you.
Thanks so much
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Here's a question: How does one decide what quilt design would look best for each individual quilt?
ReplyDeleteWhat's the best thread to use for machine quilting?
ReplyDeleteWhat's been most helpful in developing your machine quilting skillz?
ReplyDeleteDo you mark your quilt top first? If so, what do you use?
ReplyDeleteWhat long arm techniques translate the best to quilting on a home sewing machine?
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn everything you know about machine quilting :) You are so amazing and your designs inspire me. Do you do them all free hand? How do you make up a new design? How do you decide on what color thread to use? Do you ever quilt over appliqué pieces? The list could go on and on :)
ReplyDeleteI would like to know more about what types of threads and needles to use. I also need to learn how to control my speed to get nice even stitches, but half the problem is I jerk sometimes and then my leg either bears down or relaxes on the foot, so need to learn how to use my controls;)
ReplyDeleteDebbie
what is the best technique for squaring up a backing for the longarm? It doesn't matter too much for quilting on a regular machine, but I know it matters a lot for the longarmers.....
ReplyDeleteI would like a chart with the type/size of thread for the top,and the bobbin, and the spcific needle size for assorted fabrics....thanks, Sandy
ReplyDeleteHow do you do a diagonal line or design on a long arm machine? You do the most beautiful quilting I think I've ever seen. I just wonder every time I see diagonal lines, "how do they DO that?"
ReplyDeleteI just can never get the right tension. Any tips to help with that?
ReplyDeleteI am just starting to try free motion and I have a lot of tension problems especially with batiks which are my favourite fabrics.
ReplyDeleteHow did you go about picking your longarm machine? What do you like/dislike about it? What model do you have?
ReplyDeleteSounds like there are already several very good questions, so I can't think of any new question to ask! I do not have a long arm machine, therefore I have to do all my quilting free style on my Singer machine (sometimes I don't do very good), but would like to know if there's any easier way to quilt on a regular machine. So that would by my question. Thanks! Your work is beautiful and amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of questions.
ReplyDelete1. How do you make it fun? Is it by playing around with different designs? Working on just a small area so you don't get frustrated?
2. I've only done straight lines or stippling. I'm wondering when you do actual designs like you have pictured above how do you start and stop? Like for each of those little circles. Are they connected or do you just move over and do them and then snip a bunch of threads? Hope that makes sense.
It appears your quilting is done on a long arm machine so my question would be "Is your quilting from a computerised program and is there a method of choosing which pattern to use for each quilt. Is freehand long arm quilting difficult to do"? I have only done hand quilting but never in a pattern. I am unsure about using a sewing machine or long arm machine for quilting. Is there any advice you can offer to us who don't know much about machine quilting? Sorry for length and thanks!
ReplyDeleteHow do you decide what color thread to use on a wildly-colored quilt? I have a bright colorwash kinda thing, with the really dark (to black) in the center, brightening as it goes outward, and a black border. I'm at a total loss for choosing thread colors.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'll be doing it on my sewing machine. Any insights would be awesome!
So far I haven't made the move from ditch quilting to stippling or anything else as I'm really new to quilting & don't yet have the confidence to take the plunge.
ReplyDelete1.I would like to know if you use the same colour thread on your bobbin as you do on the top or do you colour co-ordinate depending on the fabric choice?
2.Also, do you still quilt on a standard home machine or do you just use your longarm now?
I hope I can make the transition soon. I'm too worried about ruining the quilts if I go wrong with free machining.
Do you ever find that you've gotten distortion in the finished quilt from quilting very concentrated patterns?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know how to do beautiful quilting on a regular sewing machine. I try but it always ends up looking awful. We are talking 300 stitches per inch here. Help would be greatly appreciated. GREATLY!
ReplyDeleteThis may seem silly but - when you want a design on the back, how do you know where it will be - just guess or is it "about" or how do you go about planning it. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI think I would love to learn different versions of quilting in one quilt design, but mostly Would you explain the principles you use on your quilting designs like rules, what not to do, must do or parameters to follow. Thank you your blog is always an inspiration to me and my sister.
ReplyDeleteEveryone asked my questions about tension and also how do decide what design to use!
ReplyDeleteHow do you quilt feathers? I'd love to see you do it in a video. I'm really struggling with that right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the most important piece of advice for someone just starting out in longarm? Tension is always a problem for me too.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time when the bobbin runs out in the middle of a design or block. Any tips for making a smooth transition when I have to stop to replace the bobbin thread?
ReplyDeleteI've read most of the comments and I have to say that I would have asked many of the same questions. I know the type of thread and needle that works best for me - I like a 50 2 ply or a 60 2 ply thread. It helps hide my many mistakes.
ReplyDeleteHow best to decide on the quilting design?
How to decide how much quilting is too much or too little other than the recommendations given for the batting?
Marking or not? Mark some designs vs unmarked?
What to do with sashing?
How to get over not staying in the lines of the blocks?
What designs play best together and not fight the overall feel of a quilt.
Quilting on a traditional styled quilt vs art style quilt - is there a difference in designs?
I think I've covered more than enough.
Forgot to add that I quilt on a domestic machine not a long arm. It shouldn't make a difference in the discussion.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see video postings on some of the techniques also.
Thanks for helping those of us who are new or struggling with the quilting process.
I know it has already been asked but I would really like to know.... How do you decide what quilt design to use when machine quilting?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to "pick your brain", Natalie. What is the first thing you take into consideration when deciding how to quilt a project (i.e. stipples, bubbles, flowers, etc.)? I have trouble deciding on what quilting pattern to use and where.
ReplyDeleteI thought of something else - do you have any machine quilting heroes? If so, who, and what makes them so inspiring?
ReplyDeleteCan I come over and watch you quilt?????? :)
ReplyDeleteSusie
I have trouble making a clean transition when my bobbin runs out (I use a domestic not a long arm). Any suggestions??
ReplyDeleteI'm new to machine quilting. I have a cheap ($100 10 years ago) Singer sewing machine- nothing fancy. I don't even know how to change my needle! I would like to try the kind of quilting where you just move the quilt around randomly, I can't remember the name. Is there a special foot I need for that? Any tips for a newbie? Thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your quilting up close. You are so inspiring!Everyone has great questions so far. I'm interested in learning how to square up my backing for the LAQ.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
What do you do when your fabric pinches or your thread breaks in the middle of the quilt (when quilting it)?
ReplyDeleteI think this has been asked already, but I totally lack creativity and vision I guess, because I always have such a hard time deciding which designs to quilt... how do you know what type of design to use, when to use background quilting, etc.?
ReplyDeleteI have been quilting for years and taught my daughter and now my mom comes over and all 3 of us quilt after my daughter comes home from school.
ReplyDeleteI usually quilt in the ditch on quilts since I don't have a long arm machine, which I sooooooo want one bad.
Can you give some tips on quilting like you do but on a standard machine?
Thanks so much
What do I adjust if the thread on the backside of the quilt starts looping/looking loose? Is it safe to start playing with the bobbin tension or is this something that only a tech should play with?
ReplyDeleteYes, please, I have a question...I like the look of straight line quilting...my question is, when you start each line, do you have to backstitch a couple of stitches? or will the binding help secure it? Thanks for the help!!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest question is do you (or did you when you started), use patterns to follow or templates. Or is all the quilting I see (yours and others) all done just by hand? I'm just so amazed by the intricate designs, I always thought there was some kind of automatic design program people were using.
ReplyDelete