The rolling is so I can easily get a half of a queen size (or whatever size I'm working on) quilt through the narrow throat of my machine. Yes, that is a half of a queen sized quilt in that tight little roll.
The other half of the quilt is puddled on a combination of surfaces, including two sewing machine cabinets and a dining table. I never let the left side of the quilt hang as gravity makes it hard to push the quilt along. I keep it all up at the same height and it just moves as I need it to move.
Now, look at where I would be sitting and the 45*angle that is folded in the rolled up part of the quilt. That gives that edge stability and keeps it from dropping down below the sewing surface, which would again be gravity pulling on the quilt. I can pretty much put that angle against my chest and help hold it level with the sewing surface
Once in a while, some bulge-y part of the quilt will get stuck on something. I have to watch out for that and anytime I feel the slightest tug against the direction I'm trying to push, I stop and straighten it. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to push that and suddenly having it release and jump a long way and you get a really big stitch. Hate that.
Anyway, that's how I do it. And, it seems to be working okay.
I've taken another Friday off. I should feel so guilty. But, I don't. I'm not going to quilt all day today, tho. I have some other projects I want to get to. I want to get to.....quilt......
Lane
10 comments:
thats a really useful picture. It will be a while until I work up to my biggy, but it will really help.
thanks again, Shev
I might have to try propping some of my quilt on my irnong board at right angles to see if that helps. I often get really sore yanking my quilt into a better position . I think more support would aleviate some of that.
Opinions seem to be divided about rolling, folding and all sorts of other methods. I guess we each have to find what works best for us.
Seems like you have found a workable solution. I might try it someday if I get bold enough to machine quilt something bigger than a crib quilt! I am hand quilting that blasted swirly thing for Libby and it is a twin size. I am piecing a full size tomorrow and for now my solution is to send it out to my friend that has a quilting machine! I'm such a wimp! Have a great day and an even greater weekend!
Hugs, Becky
Hi Lane,
Thanks for sharing your quilting technique. Your quilts are always gorgeous!
Good on you for taking time off work for yourself, especially after the not so fun times you were blogging about recently!
I also roll/puddle and I add a bit of cursing. I just did straight line quilting on a twin sized quilt and had some problems with shifting fabric. Maybe the problems is my basting...
Cheers,
Christine
Oh darn, I thought you said Pudding. Now I'm hungry *LOL* Seriously though thanks so much for showing your method. I do manage to get my quilt rolled but from there it's always been so unmanageable that I let the professionals do it. My next one I was going to do a block at a time and put together after but I think I'll try the puddling thing. And I solemnly swear not to get pudding on the quilt when I do it *LOL*
I sort of pleat the fabric under the arm of the sewing machine. As for the support for the fabric to the left of the needle, when I bought my Janome, my best friend strongly encouraged me to get a quilter's dream cabinet from Horn. I can't say enough good things about it. The only place that's not supported is between me and the table (to provide access for folks of all heights and sizes.)
I read your post title too fast and thought you were rolling in pudding! Ha, now that would be a whole different blog!
THanks for the tips. I haven't worked up to a queen yet. That is impressive! I prob won't until I get a new space. A bed is to the left of my machine and the loose quilt does not move on it!
That's the way I do mine, too. I think it's the only way you can get to the middle of a queen size and still manage it all. I've heard of people throwing the extra over their left shoulder. That doesn't sound at all convenient to me. Thanks for showing it off.
Your tip is just in time! I've got a "personal size" quilt under the needle right now. I've rolled it, al la Marti Michell, and am struggling pushing it through. Since I now have my machine on a table there's plenty of room to puddle it along rather than fight the rolls. Timely post Lane, thanks.
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