chuckster46 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I attached photos of a wall hanging I just finished to generate some discussion of how to mark very busy and high contrast quilt tops. I made several attempts and making templates and using chaulk pencils, pounch bags and never really came up with anything that helped with this quilt. In the end I started quilting free motion and used chaulk to set "fences". I really just winged this but would like to be able to get results that are more symmetrical. I am looking for ideas short of CQ as some of the posts of CQ work just leave me in the dust. I appreciate the technical and artistic talent of this work. I really enjoy being one with Millie and doing hands on quilting. So please bring on your ideas. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Chuck I use regular school chalk to mark most of the time. I use a pencil sharpener to get a nice point. I would guess that type of chalk would work on this quilt top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hi Chuck. This quilt is gorgeous (stunning) and your quilting work is equally gorgeous. Here is something to consider for a very busy top like this that make eyeballs go crazy... (like mine): 1) Consider doing your "fence" or border by SID around the entire outer border. Use contrasting thread in the bobbin. 2) Do some SID around the outer "barn raising" block areas to define those areas. Use contrasting thread in the bobbin. Then Flip the ENTIRE quilt over so the back is up and the busy topper is down. Switch your bobbin thread and top thread appropriately. Then quilt freehand as you see fit. You could (if you so desire) mark some areas on the back with chalk or use rulers to make some specific design elements so they show up on the BACK. That way you have some gorgeous quilting motifs on the back and a pretty topper, too. The top is so busy it would be much easier on the eye to quilt from the solid back. (just my humble $.02) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckster46 Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Heidi and Shana, Thank you for the ideas. I used chalk on the front but it would get lost in the gold. So much going on in the top material. Shana, I actually thought about quilting from the back side and did not go there. The part that I missed was your great idea of SID to set the "fences" and then turn the quilt. GREAT IDEA! Using stencils on the back would have been very easy with this twist. I should have posted the question before I started the project. I had this sitting around for a very long time as the owner was not in a hurry to get it back. The next time I have one of these I am going to attempt to follow your suggestions. I will let you know how it turns out. Thank you again, Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hi Chuckster!! Here is my rule-of-thumb hard-learned through experience--If you can't see what you are stitching as you do it, the customer won't see the stitching either. Profound, huh?:P Soooo... Mark what you can see to use as a guide or Use the piecing to find your way (CC or line dancing) or Set up a side light, turn off the overheads and your machine light and freehand across using the shadows to see where you have been. You still can do some beautiful stitching on top and then you will present a pretty top and a stunning backer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckster46 Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hey Linda! I have an overhead light bar with lights that I can rotate. I turn them up to the reflect off the ceiling but I never did turn them off. I can see where the right light from the side could help. I will try this. It was good to see you again last week. I hope to be able to come up to your place for a visit and learn a few more of your tricks. I some times feel like I am reinventing the wheel. Take care and thank you for your suggestion. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Chuck, There's an inexpensive way to light up those busy quilts - check out the thread at http://www.apqs.com/quiltboard/viewthread.php?tid=13386&page=1#pid137124 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckster46 Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Thanks Barb! I missed this post. I will be out looking for some lights for the side of my Millie. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Sew Simple Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Funny, I used to quilt from the back all the time (on my domestic machine). It was just easier not to get "involved" will the fabric on the front when it really didn't matter. I love Shana's idea of marking of certain areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Chuck you can also use a black light and black light pencil or powder. Both work well on really hard to see fabrics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyJo Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Great post Chuck. I really like Shana's idea and also thank you Barb for the post on the lights. I missed that one too. I'll keep both of those in the back of my brain, (the only place that I can remember where I put it) and use it when I need them. Thanks:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 ........I do agree with Linda Rech that going to a lot of trouble to quilt a busy topper when you won't see it is something to consider. So, I say consider all options and talk with the customer. Sometimes (time and cost considerations) it may be better to do as Linda suggested and do something that is simple yet enough to define and accentuate the quilt top. Sometimes that is all that is needed and necessary. No need to spend unnessary time quilting or expense for something the customer does not want as an end result. But if the customer wants a backer that is just as pretty as the top then by all means...GO...FOR...IT! Shana (who considers Linda R. as one of the most wisest of wise women here on this chat!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Hi Chuck, no ideas or hints on this end,, but do want to say it is gorgeous, an I only see and hae searched hard, one place on the back that looks diff.. Terrific Job! RitaR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FowlManorQuilting Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Hey Chuck, With all the great responses you have I'd like to add mine too. I have in the past used soluble stabilizer and chalked to stablilizer, lain it onto the quilt and then pinned to hold in place, when finished a cool rinse and it's all gone! Sew easy. I've used chalk pencils to put the design on as well as a pounce bag for stencils. Works great and you can see where to go. glo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jhend Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Adding to FowlManor Quilting, I too use water soluble stabiliber, but I draw my design using washable crayons and just stitch. What ever doesn't tear away, just spritz. Also using the laser light from the front may have worked. Anyway, it looks great from here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckster46 Posted October 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 And they say men will not stop and ask for directions. Well, I did after I made the trip. lol Thank you for all of your great ideas and suggestions. I will be saving all of this good information for future projects. The Chuckster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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