I bought a great quilting book with beautiful patterns from talented designers this weekend. I love the book but I was sad that the book clearly did not encourage quilting by yourself on your own sewing machine, instead it encouraged hand quilting or using a professional longarm quilter (which are both good ideas too.)
Well, I think that quilting the quilt on your own sewing machine is great fun. I think that it is not as hard as we might believe and that a bit of practice and willingness to experiment, is all it takes. Also, finding the right approach, with the right level of detail for you, at that moment in time helps. I am finding it a lot easier to do detailed designs, to take my time doing then, and to be happy with the results, when the quilt is not huge. I am also trying "quilt as you go" blocks to solve the difficulties in quilting a big quilt.
The picture above is the back of my Trimmings 2011 quilt which I quilted this weekend. I hope to put on a sleeve and photograph the front this week. But the back really shows off the quilting. Up until now, I have not really liked the way the thread looks on the back of the quilt as much as the front when I machine quilt. I am learning to go a bit slower and that really improves the look.
Here is a block with just straight lines, using a walking foot. Again, this is not hard, just takes practice and patience.
Here is a mug rug with a bit of both straight lines and free motion using a darning foot.
And bit of stipple, one of my favourites on the quilt, especially once it is washed.
There is nothing even close to perfect about my quilting. I have a long journey yet on this quilting road. But I like it anyway, and it is fun to do.
So I hope you will give machine quilting, by yourself, on your machine, a try too.
Best,
Leanne
Here is the link to Fabric Tuesday, I hope you go and look at the other projects and ideas too.
