lindasewsit Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I have a tee shirt quilt that I have put on my frame this afternoon. THOUGHT I was going to get it done this afternoon!! It is way out of kilter! I am putting up pics. the top edge is of course off, but take a look at the sashes on the 2nd picture! WHAT do I do with this????!!! I don't think I will do tee shirt quilts again! I have rolled and rerolled it several times.... Any help would be appreciated! thanks! linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 take a look at these sashes!!! HELP!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBQLTN2 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 is that top border really so much bigger on the close end than on the opposite end as it looks. Seems the top border need to be trimmed to the same width on each end. at least for starters that may help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 The border is evenly sized.... just looks like it's not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyrw Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I would float the top instead of putting it on the roller. Then straighten as you go. I'm not sure if the steam and starch works with tee shirts but I would try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 ok... I'm not sure how to float a top...heard others talk about it, but can't quite figure it out....I am a very visual learner... I was thinking if I didn't have to roll it, would it be better.... can you help? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriVB Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Linda--I don't have a solution for how to float--as I don't know how to do that either--but when I get a quilt that looks like that I will baste it so it is straight along the top and then use a long strip of batting to stuff inbetween the quilt top and the roller to keep it from moving anymore--this seems to work for me. It looks like some of the shirts maybe have a different stretch then others--so if it measures square you should end up square if you start square. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyrw Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Here's how I float the top (sorry no pictures). I load the backing and the batting. Then, using the channel lock, I run a line across an inch or two from the top of the batting. Then I line the edge of the quilt top with the line I just stitched and pin close to the edge. The quilt top hangs over the backing roller at the front of the machine just like the batting does. I use painters tape on the unused quilt top roller to mark the edges of the quilt for reference so I can keep the edges straight. I pin the right and left edges of the quilt as I go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyrw Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Here's a thread with lots of good methods and explanations. http://www.apqs.com/quiltboard/viewthread.php?tid=883 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoryJM Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Yikes, Linda...that's going to be a fun one...NOT!! This is how I float: (its probably all wrong, but it works for me:D) After loading the back, I put the batting on. Then, using the channel locks, I attach the batting to the backing with the longest stitch (5?) and baste a straight line across the top of the batting. Then I pin my top against that straight line through the batting and backing and then baste it into place as well. The top then hangs between the two rollers to the floor the same as the batting. With the quilt you're working with, I'd pick some other reference points, like inside the pink sashing, and pin-baste the entire area you're working on, being sure to keep that pink sashing square, or as close thereto as possible. Remove the pins as you get the part you're quilting so you don't run over them. Good luck!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoryJM Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Holly, maybe I don't do it wrong after all!! I was typing the same time you were and it looks like we do it essentially the same! Hooray....I'm doing it right!!!:P:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyrw Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Dory, that's too funny! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyJo Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I agree with the floating also. then you can manuver the quilt if you have to so that you can keep it straight. The painters tape on the unused top roller is a good and inexpensive tool to help with that. You may have to scrunch some and tug some to get this one square. But I'll bet that you can do it! Just need to take your time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I do it the same as Holly and Dory so that's 3 of us, must make it right! Have a few chocolates before you start that one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Oh Thank you! You guys are the BEST!!! I am going to try it!! Wish me the best!!! I'll let you know how it goes!!linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 ps...I actually understood your instructions!!!:D Good thing they were both the same! linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoryJM Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 But Heidi added the most important part: chocolate. If that doesn't work, go for the tequila...one of them is bound to help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmiequilts Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Linda everyone's advice is right on the money! Hopefully you are doing a free motion all over design from the front of the machine. I find it easiest to put a rice bag or a hand to weight the lumpy areas and then ease them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTL Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I float mine almost the same as everyone else. The one difference is that I when I set the channel lock to level the top horizontally, I use a border SEAM not the border top. I feel this is a more true line and it seems (seams? grin) to work well. Also, as I advance the quilt, at each row of blocks, I once again set the horizontal lock and confirm that everything is straight. This gives me a chance to ease things a little this way or that so the quilt stays square over the whole thing. Using the painter's tape would keep it straight vertically too. So many tips. So many methods. I guess that's why they call it "creative". Happy quilting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoryJM Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Lynne, what a great tip. Often the top border isn't straight, so pinning to it could be a mistake...very good point. I have a quilt I'm just getting reading to start and I'm thinking it would be smarter to have used the inner sashing, rather than the outer border. The quilt is off by 1 1/4" on one vertical side; perfect horizontally. Hmmmm.... Now you've got me thinking....(uh, oh...do you smell smoke?) Another tip...Sue Patten says to use Vanish when mounting...then you can just spritz away your basting stitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltlover03 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 A nightmare of a Quilt, but a talented Quilter. I float as all the rest, hurray....I am doing something right but.....instead of Tequila I use Vodka & Mango Juice....works just as good. Good Luck and just for info. T shirt Quilts should be stabilized by the piecer, ie with fusible stabilizer. that is how I do all of mine and never have an out of square "square" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennan100 Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 You all are hilarious! I'd have to go with vodka. Tequila makes my lips numb.....if I lost my lips how would I know if I was holding my mouth just right? I could mess up the whole thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted May 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 How 'bout regular ol' ice tea???!!! My bevrege of choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njquiltergirl Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Speaking of T-shirt quilts, I have one that has heavy weight fusible. The blocks are as stiff as boards. I thought of using a heavy thread (King Tut) to help fill in the holes that are certain to be made by the needle. Some of the shirts are printed with that heavy texture stuff ....you know basketballs that look and feel like real grippy basketballs!!!! She also has a slippery (nylon??) "net" uniform shirt in there. It has little holes all over it, so the player stays cool. She is re-making a block (the photo image was crinkling up!)...am I in for trouble with this one?? Any suggestions?? Will the King Tut be a good choice for this?? Thanks for any suggestion and advice. It is my first T-shirt quilt. Lisa Burghart APQS Liberty NW NJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrystitcher Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 I agree with all the "floaters" - it is the best way to do t-shirt quilts. I've done 3 and may never do another one - they are beasts even for the best of piecers and then we poor quilters get to try and make them look good! Best of luck on this one. Sharon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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