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Quilting Design Dilemma

Size of machine stitched quilts. How large using standard machine?

6 years ago

My son's fiance is making a machine stitched quilt using a standard machine. How large can the quilt be and still be able to do the quilting under the arm? I also suggested that maybe she might make three panels and after quilting sew them together using the lap-quilting method. Anyone ever try this? If so what are your suggestions?

Comments (9)

msmeow
6 years ago
I think it depends on the quilter! I've quilted king size quilts on my sit down machine. To do the center you have to scrunch or roll the side that's going through under the arm. Rolling works well for straight quilting designs while scrunching works better for free motion.

I haven't tried doing it in sections.

Donna
polardream
6 years ago
I have a Pfaff 7570 and have also done king size on my machine. Free-motion and straight stitch in the ditch. I have not tried any fancy patterns for anything that large. If she has another table that she can put some of the bulk of the quilt on, that will also help while she is manuevering the quilt through the machine.

Sue
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I am pretty new to using my embroidery machine for quilting although I have plenty of designs to do just that. I love my embroidery machine and use it for in the hoop items mostly but also quilt labels, towels, napkins, etc. However, I have just started a machine applique table runner. There is a quilt size too, but I feel I should start small. Basically you embroider the fabric using your machine, then cut the blocks to size and stitch together with your regular machine to make your quilt. I have several designs for using the embroidery machine to make your blocks....redwork mostly A friend made a gorgeous quilt by embroidering the blocks redwork style and then stitching with other pieced blocks, then batting, backing, quilting on a standard sewing machine. I also have some designs for the actual quilting of a block but have yet to try them. Kinda like free motion quilting I think. I have the Janome 350E and its hoop size is pretty small compared to some. I would only try blocks, not the whole quilt.....movement of a whole quilt would be a problem for me. Attaching a link to site with some embroidery applique designs. I just started the Picnic Time table runner from this site. Murphy Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.lunchboxquilts.com/shop/#embroidery-applique-quilts
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I recently finished quilting an 82x98" top on my small machine. I kept putting it off because of the size. But I got it done---not perfect by any means but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. You've been given good advice. GO SLOW,--- have patience, take lots of breaks. As was mentioned, the center area is the hardest part. The first few blocks took me 35 minutes each to do. As I worked out, I was doing a block in 15-20 minutes. I found it easier to keep the quilt loosely around the machine area rather than roll edges, because I had to shift the top a lot as I quilted around the block. I had my machine on a large table. Behind the table I had my vacuum-cleaner chest with some thick books piled on it---that was helpful to take some of the bulk of the quilt when needed. To my left, I had my coffee table to take bulk on that side. I have a tendency to push the fabric through the machine---I had to overcome that,--- let the machine do the work. I do have to get a better chair as I do hunch my shoulders leaning in towards the machine---I'm going to look for one of those adjustable bar stools that someone mentioned. I love this forum--everyone is so helpful. I got lots of quilting tips here---wish I could have had access to the 'net' when I first started quilting!! ~Geraldine
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hummingalong2
6 years ago
Better for your sons fiancé to have a total plan before she starts, it’s a lot of work, especially if it’s a pieced quilt...has she quilted before?. There are companies that will do the final machine quilting for you.
latifolia
6 years ago
I’ve done both, although I don’t do queen size in my domestic machine anymore, preferring to send them out to be long-armed. Choosing a thin batting will make it easier.

Quilt as you go, you quilt strips (or blocks), then attach the strips and cover the seams front and back with long strips of fabric.

My preferred method is to sew, by machine, one side each of two fabric strips (front and back), then zigzag the pieces, then sew down the other side of each strip by hand. You can also sew three of the four strip sides by machine and hand sew the pieces and final strip side.
Frances Pitts
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for all the response. My future DIL has just learned to sew and is already thrilled with being able to make things. She has completed a pieced quilted couch throw. She is a very fast learner and I am proud of her work. I was just afraid she might have taken on a task that might be a little frustrating for her. She has already bought fabric and is almost finished piecing her second quilt which I believe will be a queen. I will be sure to pass on all of your suggestions. I am so proud of her enthusiasm. I am sure she will stick with this project.
KD
6 years ago
You can also send pieced items off to be quilted if it’s just not working for her. One of my friends does quilting for other people like that - she has a special sewing machine for it that is huge. If she doesn’t want it all done by someone else she could have sections left open in strategic places on the design and then hand quilt in those sections?
glassquilt
6 years ago
I did a king sized on my Lily 555. Swore I'd never make another.

Lost it in a house fire so I can't measure it but looking online I think the opening is 6/7 inches. I got a Sapphire 850 and ten years later made a king for DGD's wedding gift. It was easier.
Char
6 years ago
I have quilted several kings on my Bernina 1090, but it is a chore getting to the center. There is a book with a quilt as you go method which I have never tried. Title is "Quilt As You Go {reimagined}" by Marguerita McManus and Sarah Raffuse. May be a useful reference if you want to try doing in strips as latifolia suggested.
Frances Pitts
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for your tips and comments. I will pass this info on to her.

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