Setting the Machine

     While it is true that I am primarily a hand quilter, machine quilting does cross my workstation from time to time. Early in my quilting days there was absolutely no place for machine work- I was quite biased in my stance against it. These days, modern convenience and consumer request have made it necessary to learn the skill.
      The first thing I learned early on it that any machine can be used for quilting any size project and I have quilted all kinds of sizes. True- smaller projects are easier, however, larger ones are just as successful. Let's look at a few items I have come to love in machine quilting and set up the home machine before we work.

How I Determine a Quilt Motif

     Once a quilt top is pieced, basted, and ready for the quilting stitches we really need to have a plan for those anchoring stitches. I admit that planning the motif, or design for the quilting stitches, begins as soon as my fabric is chosen. While I cut and piece the pieces of a quilt I am also familiarizing myself with not only the piecing design, but the design of the fabric as well.

      The first spring picnic quilt was made as a prototype for simplicity. I wanted this quilt to be very basic and an example of how easy a quilt can be. With that purpose in mind, the quilting was done in the most basic pattern- stitch in the ditch. This motif can be done by hand or machine depending upon the purpose and usage the quilt might face. Quilts used by children or infants may face more wear and washing than a throw or decorative quilt. Large bed quilts are not generally washed on a regular basis and lend well to hand work. This orange quilt was machine quilted since it may face regular laundering.

      Let's take a look at the blue version of our spring picnic quilt. The fabric here has many circular elements; paisley, flowers, etc...yet, the actual piecing design is angular. Considering this, we could stay in the ditch accenting the piecing...or we could ignore the piecing lines accenting the fabric design. If we really wanted to go crazy and creative, we could ignore the whole thing and design quilting that creates a scene such as boats, a flower garden, picnic items with ants marching along.

      To keep it simple, I have decided to stitch this quilt with an all over, edge to edge, design known as 'Baptist fans'. This design offers a softness to the angular design, yet leaves the circular fabric designs in tact. This motif can easily be stitched by hand or machine and is rather quick to complete. Being round in nature, I would not hand quilt this design in a quilt frame, but use a hoop for ease and flexibility.

       I encourage you to take time deciding your quilt motif..be sure you are comfortable stitching the angles or curves, and feel free to practice the design before trying it on the actual quilt. Next week I will demo two methods of machine stitching and how I set my machine for those tasks.  

Time for Basting!

     This weekend found me tearing out the dead parts of our vegetable garden and watching another one of my kids pack up and prepare to leave. Needless to say, I have been very distracted lately with little attention to the things I enjoy- like quilting. Time to set aside the crazy and get down to business. We have a quilt to prepare.
      First things first. One the quilt top is complete, batting and backing chosen, the task of ironing must be done. I dislike ironing with great disdain, yet, it is necessary here. Previously I mentioned never starching a quilt set for hand quilting. I tried it and it worked just fine, so starch if you feel the need; it won't hurt either way. Ironing aside, tumble the batting in your dryer a few minutes on a light or air setting to shake the creases out.

      After the video I realized there was a nasty crease in the back, so I had to take pins out and do it over again. It happens to all of us, so don't be discouraged if it happens to you. I will post the previous video on basting just in case anyone needs a review. I'm off to plan the quilt design...let's go baste!