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Sunday, 4 August 2013

Trying to get the quilting right...

I have often regretted not taking enough care with planning/marking the quilting lines before domestic machine quilting my Morrell quilt. I did not mark it at all. I thought that if I quilted each block differently (some cross hatch, some vertical lines, some horizontal lines etc) it would be safe enough to "eye ball" the spacing of quilting lines on the blocks as I went. But ...

...the spacing of lines and cross-hatching is, to say the least, "rustic". It is not parallel or perpendicular in many places where it should be. I love the quilt from a distance but less so close-up!
"random" quilting line spacing - eek!
So - the moral of the story is? ....learn from your mistakes!  I am going to extraordinary lengths (at least for me they are) to make sure the quilting is presentable on my Carolina lily quilt. 

The Carolina lily is a fairly large quilt at 97" by 86" (2.43m by 2.14m) and is going to be awkward under the sewing machine.  I use a Bernina 440 and the throat is not large. So I am going to mark every quilt line beforehand - tedious but am guessing it will be a relief when quilting. 

First I made a block template to mark all the trapunto wreaths - easy to trace through this plain fabric




This was the point at which the size of this quilt gave me a scare. Not panicking, of course, but trying to take control of this quilting project...gulp. 


The original antique quilt shown on the pattern had a grid quilted across the blocks and parallel lines behind the border vine. So that is how I'm doing it too - and hoping it is relatively easy to manage.

Marking the grid on the trapunto blocks
Extending the grid to meet across the Lily blocks
Next - to sew the trapunto wadding behind the 15 wreaths. I showed how I am doing this in previous posts - sewing it by hand with dissolving thread. I'm finding I can only stitch two or three blocks at a time before the hands get sore. So far I have done 8 wreaths. In between that I'm marking the parallel lines on the borders. 
Trapunto wadding already stitched behind some of the wreaths

When the trapunto wadding is all stitched and the quilting lines are all marked then it will be time to sandwich the quilt and pin baste ready for quilting. I am planning on starting the quilting by stitching with the walking foot in the ditch along the seam lines between every block just to stabilise the whole thing. See how careful I am being? 
Wish me luck!

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23 comments:

  1. Susan4 August 2013 at 15:10

    I think you're doing the right thing. All that preparation will save you from spending time with the unpicker.....it's all just part of the process. And goodness it is a very big quilt.

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  2. audrey4 August 2013 at 16:35

    All your prep work will be a life saver for you I'm sure! Good luck--you're going to be so happy with your results.:)

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  3. Carole~Quilter on the hill4 August 2013 at 16:50

    Always such a treat to see your beautiful Morrell quilt - thanks! I am in awe that you can quilt such large quilts on a domestic machine. I'm sure all of your careful preparation will more than pay off.

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  4. Sis Voorn4 August 2013 at 17:00

    I love your work !
    Greetz from the Netherlands
    Sis

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  5. Rachaeldaisy4 August 2013 at 17:53

    Your Caroline Lily is such a beautiful quilt and deserves the extra time and care you're taking. It's treat to see your Morrell quilt too!!

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  6. Frances Meredith4 August 2013 at 18:08

    Best of luck. The extra time you are asking will be worth it.

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  7. Sue4 August 2013 at 18:20

    Your certainly putting in the prepping effort Hilda. It's going to be one beautiful quilt.
    Good luck.

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  8. Carin4 August 2013 at 20:21

    That will be so beautiful !!

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  9. Celia in England4 August 2013 at 21:13

    Your quilt is lovely and I am so impressed by all your machine quilting. Can you tell me what you are using to mark the quilting pattern? Celia in England

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  10. Barb4 August 2013 at 22:06

    I too like a lot of marking - whether I'm hand quilting or machine quilting.
    Your marking came out so neatly!
    looks lovely and I can't wait to see it quilted.

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  11. Barb4 August 2013 at 22:07

    p.s. what marking tool are you using?
    looks like crayola markers?

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  12. Karen - Quilts...etc.4 August 2013 at 22:39

    I think that you do your own quilting on your quilt is fantastic!!! that you do your quilting on a domestic machine really and truly is fantastic. Marking the lines is a way to make sure it turns out how you want it to. I have only tried to machine quilt a couple times - your marking first is something I will remember - I know I won't be able to hand quilt forever. I love your Morrell quilt even if you say it is not perfect - it is done and that is what counts doesn't it?

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  13. Quilting Babcia5 August 2013 at 00:21

    I think doing all your marking ahead of time is a very good plan for this quilt where the grid lines will really show. Machine quilting one this large is daunting to be sure, the last one I did of this size took 2 1/2 months of machine quilting - two to four hours each day. But certainly worth it in the end! Have fun!

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  14. Lori5 August 2013 at 02:01

    I understand about taking your time and rushing. I have a few home machine quilted quilts that I adore or not because of my quilting!
    It looks like you are doing a fine job of taking your time and getting it right.

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  15. pandchintz5 August 2013 at 08:36

    All your prep work should pay dividends - beautiful quilt and I'm sure the quilting will be beautiful too.

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  16. Karen5 August 2013 at 12:27

    It is going to be so beautiful you are not going to be able to stand it!!

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  17. Janet5 August 2013 at 16:32

    All the pictures of your Carolina Lily quilt are beautiful! From what you've marked it's going to be amazing quilting!! Thanks for sharing your process.

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  18. Kyle5 August 2013 at 23:56

    It's going to be awesome when you're done. With all the premarking, the quilting is going to be fun.

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  19. Karen H6 August 2013 at 03:49

    Hi Hilda - I think your Morrell quilt is beautiful and if the quilting is less that perfect (in your eyes) I think it adds charm! Think of it as a learning experience. The Carolina Lily is so pretty and I agree with the others that given its size and the amount of work that you've already invested, that marking the top will be time well spent so that the process of quilting will be as stress-free as possible! I'm really looking forward to following your progress on this one!

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  20. Maureen6 August 2013 at 06:21

    Good luck! This is going to be a beautiful quilt - as is your Morrell Quilt. I learn something from almost every quilt I make and have to admit I have to learn some lessons more than once! Oh, well.

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  21. Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things6 August 2013 at 09:16

    I know the feeling about not taking the time to mark properly. I have learned my lesson the hard way also. Not sure if a light bulb went off, or I have just gotten wise. It is worth all the effort! Maybe I realize I don't have forever to get to my goal of a great quilt, so now I put more effort into each quilt I make.

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  22. The Quilted Finish 9 August 2013 at 09:55

    I love your Morrell Quilt, imperfect quilting lines and all! However, I do think your time spent marking your Carolina Lily quilt will be so worth the effort, I think the quilting will stand out more on the white fabric so you do want it to look great! Good luck, you are a braver woman than me, quilting a giant like that on a domestic machine!! Can't wait to see the finished quilting!!

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  23. Pat18 August 2013 at 00:10

    Your work on the Morrell quilt is so lovely - and your Carolina Lily with the trapunto is incredible. Everything looks meticulous in preparation!! I also sew on a Bernina 440QE and do like the way it quilts. It is built for that kind of demand. My Pfaff used to get really warm when machine quilting:o(

    Will enjoy watching your progress

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