Starts and Stops

 How to start and stop your machine quilting?

Many advocate tiny stitches. I have been doing this including going backwards but I don't like the thread build-up.

Others pull all threads to the front, tie and bury. This is much more time-consuming. 

Videos I have watched give tips. If doing it with a machine do 4/5 micro stitches but no backwards stitching, bring bobbin threads to the front and just clip off. If tying, do no micro stitches just pull to the front, tie stitches together about half an inch from the top and bury. One tip is to use a self-threading needle.

Maybe it's time to experiment with both and decide what I like best, both the look and how much work is involved. I know I am over messy starts and stops. Maybe I can add some photos. 

Instructions from one quilter:

Do not use micro stitches.

Do leave a long enough tail to tie a knot with.

Quilt the line. At the end, leave enough thread tail to tie a knot by hand. Six inches is usually enough. At the ending stitch, tug on the needle thread to work the bobbin thread to the top.

Knot the starting thread tails together by tying a square knot. This knot should be about a quarter of an inch away from the quilt top. Thread a hand-sewing needle with these knotted thread tails. Insert the needle into the hole of the first stitch and push it into and through the centre of the batting for about a half inch. Pull the threaded needle through and out of the top. Trim your thread tails close to the top of the quilt. Repeat as needed.

By burying the thread tails in the batting there is little chance of them shadowing or showing through the top of the quilt. If possible, run the needle along an existing line of quilting to further camouflage the thread tail if the top fabric is light and your thread is dark.

Spray Basting

There are many videos on Youtube of spray basting - it's worth watching a few. Some people do it outside even in the wind. Some just spray the batting outside and then take it inside. It all seems much easier and more manageable than I ever thought possible, so it's time to try it. The below video is a short simple version that covers the main points. 

From all the videos I've watched these are the main points: 

• work in a well-ventilated space 
• press your three layers in preparation particularly the quilt top tape the backing down on the floor - obviously not carpet 
• have drop sheets around it to protect the floor although spray will wash off 
• if doing this on a table use a flannel sheet taped to the table to hold the backing 
• smooth out backing but do not stretch 
• lay the batting on top turn back a section of batting, spray the backing, lay down the batting and smooth it out keep working in sections 
• don't spray the edges of the backing/batting you not covering it all 
• do the same with the quilt top 
• smooth out but do not distort, 
• make sure corners are square 
• leave on the floor for 30mins or so until all glue is dry 
• wash any residual glue off the floor or wash the flannel sheet

 

FMQ Tutorials

 There are literally 'heaps' on Youtube and you can invest a lot of time watching them. Here have put those I find particularly helpful and informative and most of all watchable! People's personalities, manner and for me specifically accent make a huge difference as to wether or not I can be bothered. And then, of course, content is paramount. 

Sone beginner tutorials from Tiny Orchard Quilts:

Double needle free motion go to the link below. 

https://weallsew.com/double-needle-free-motion-quilting/

Straight Line Qulting

A good system to keep your straight line quilting straight and even. 

97D Foot

 This has taken some getting used to after years of using the 37.