LauraJ Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 I was shown how to float my quilts. I've also been shown how to attach my quilt top on the bar and baste/tack onto the backing at the top. I usually float. Do you float and if so - how do you make sure the bottom of the quilt remains as square as possible with the pulling in from the quilting? Do you attach the top to the roller and do you still find the bottom of the quilt top has issues when you get to the bottom of the quilting? Do you do both and if so, when do you attach to the roller bar? Thanks, Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmillie2010 Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 i float my tops. The first quilt i ever put on the machine, i pinned it both top and bottom. hated the way the bottom flared out at the corners. Found out how to float and haven't looked backed. I use the Dave-Jane clamps to 'mark' where the edges of the quilt should be (I put these clamps on the top roller (?) ... see, i can't even remember what that roller is since I don't use it)... anyway, the clamps are my visual guide for the sides as I roll the quilt up. Then I will either pin the sides, spray the sides with 505, or do the 1" inch basting stitch down the side ... whatever feels right for the top. I have never, repeat never, had an issue with the bottom using this method. No dog ears, no flying corners, etc. I'm blessed in that most of the quilts i quilt are pretty square with borders that don't wave at me, and such as that. Float that top, i say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Laura, I attach mine to the roller bar. I like that the quilt is rolled up and out of my way and I also feel like I can control it better. I've never floated my quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyT Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 I also attach to the roller bars and if it looks like I'm going to have flared corners when I get to the bottom of the quilt, then I will take the bottom off the top roller and pin it in place to get the flares under control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraC Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Ditto to what Cindy said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyrw Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 I float because I'm to lazy to load the quilt top on the roller. I use blue painters tape on the quilt top roller to mark the edges, border seams, center, etc. to keep the top straight and I baste the edges as I go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 I'm with Holly--except I mark on that un-used top roller canvas with a blue water erase pen. I mark the outside edges and also the first border seam. As I advance I eyeball to see if the horizontal seams are straight and adjust with each advance if necessary. That way when I get to the bottom, there are no surprises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraJ Posted September 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Holly & Linda, great ideas! I'm also a bit lazy and want to get to quilting asap but really wanted to know why those that put theirs on the roller bar do so and if it does make a difference as to the laying out of the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 I don't ever float. Just don't feel like I have enough control that way. To me, there's a definite reason that quilt top bar is there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 I guess I am wishy washy as sometimes I float and sometimes I don't...it depends on the quilt, if it is not big and pretty square I float...if it is big or has lots of problems, I load the bottom on the roller....I floated one today that came out perfect! And it was quicker... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelleywa Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 I do both, depending on the quilt and how flat it is. If there's any suspicion of fulness in the quilt body or borders, I will do a full float. Then I can ease in the fulness as I go. I do a lot of pin basting if I'm doing a custom quilt in this manner to keep everything smooth and even. If the quilt is nice and flat, I prefer to do a partial float ie pin the bottom edge of the quilt top onto the roller and baste the top edge of the quilt about 1" down from the leaders. I do prefer this method as I feel, like Linda above, the quilt is more under control. With the other method, I need to keep checking everything is square and level with each advance. But sometimes it needs to be done like this to get the best result. Shelley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfly Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 I usually float and use the blue painters tape like Holly. Jess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 I partially float. Meaning the bottom is attached to the roller. I do this mostly because I don't want to step on the quilt, and I release it anywhere from middle to end so I don't get that flair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 i also do a partial float cause that is what gretchen taught me. i am loving this thread cause i am lazy and hate pinning. thanks for starting it, laura. i am getting alot out of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 Meg - I'm the ultimate in lazy. I have pinned one quilt to the frame (it was tiny), but I won't ever do it again. The first thing I sewed on my Liberty was the zippers!! I baste or chain stitch everything to the zippers and zip them on. No pins, no blood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newellyn Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 I float always. I used Linda R's method except I use the pink centering tape measure with little sliding tabs to mark my edges, center and border. I actually took my top rail off to get it out of the way. The centering tape also marks my quilting area so I don't forget. I usually decide what I am going to quilt on the quilt as I go along so having it all visible allows me to stand back and stare at different areas as I go. My top rail is now hanging below ala doodlebug's idea for keeping the batting and in my case the top from hanging on the floor. It is always a good feeling when the quilt is done enough to not reach the floor any more. I know I am getting somewhere with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 Originally posted by newellyn I float always. I used Linda R's method except I use the pink centering tape measure with little sliding tabs to mark my edges, center and border. I actually took my top rail off to get it out of the way. The centering tape also marks my quilting area so I don't forget. I usually decide what I am going to quilt on the quilt as I go along so having it all visible allows me to stand back and stare at different areas as I go. My top rail is now hanging below ala doodlebug's idea for keeping the batting and in my case the top from hanging on the floor. It is always a good feeling when the quilt is done enough to not reach the floor any more. I know I am getting somewhere with it. wait a minute - you removed the top bar? :o:o:o:o how does your brake work without it? :o:o:o this would make my life easier cause then my arms could be lower while i quilt. omigosh - all this pimping of your rides is about to make my head is about to explode! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 I float my tops. I have also taken off my top bar to get around "vertically challenged". The circle is a piece of timber cutout from benchtop cut out for taps. My husband screwed a piece of dowel to it. I don't engage the brake fully, so that I don't overtighten my tops, and I don't need to loosen it to roll the top either. Works for me and Like Linda I can then look at the quilt top and work out what I am going to do next. Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 Second photo of My brake. Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 Maybe Lynda Newell will post a photo of her brake alteration. I think she has a piece of plastic pipe for her brake to grab onto. Someone (APQS?) sells a set-up as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grannyju Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 APQS does sell a little short brake bar called the "Texas Hold 'em" I always float my quilts and it's great not to have that whole roller in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestieMom Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 So glad I read this thread. I have been having issues with my extended base hitting my roller. Think I'll ask DH if he can rig something for my brake and I'll remove the roller. The rollers are already as high as they will go and the base still bumps the front which reduces quilting space. The removed roller would be great under the table to keep the batting and quilt top out of the way. Thanks for the ideas!!! I like to float my tops. I use the quilt clamps to mark the right and left edge of the quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newellyn Posted September 26, 2010 Report Share Posted September 26, 2010 I'm on the wrong computer right now but will post a picture of my "Little Adapter" later tonight. I bought it from a quilter in California and I know she still sells them. A few Moxie's have gotten them too. I'll post that contact info as well. It is really inexpensive, I think $35 or so. It really is nice to have it gone. I have a shoulder problem and reaching over that bar hurt me. The fact that I am vertically and horizontally challenged doesn't help.:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyA Posted September 26, 2010 Report Share Posted September 26, 2010 I float a top that is not square or if it has wonky borders. It's easier to control that way. However, it's much quicker if I roll the quilt onto the roller - why, because I'm not having to mess with the quilt continually and it stays out of the way. Much easier to take care of stray threads on the batting as well. When I attach the quilt to the roller I just lay it against a drawn line on the canvas, put a pin in the center and a few here and there - then roll. It's real quick. I don't pin the quilt to the leader or any zippers. Very little time lost. If needed, I release it mid-way through or closer to the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newellyn Posted September 26, 2010 Report Share Posted September 26, 2010 As promised, here is a pic of the Little Adapter. I also am posting some pics of how I now use my top rail to keep the tops and batting from laying on the floor. Here is the email address for the little adapter: peachfarmer@sbcglobal.net If you go to the search and type in little adapter and set it "from the beginning" you'll see a previous discussion of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.