quiltmonkey Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 I am working on a quilt and maybe I am doing something wrong here, or not following the right process. I need your help, please. I loaded the quilt (irish chain), then to stabilize the blocks I did SID around the outer squares of the pieced hearts and also the inside chain of the empty large pink space. I rolled the quilt and did this all the way to the bottom , then I stitched the backing and top together at the bottom so the top is no longer pinned to the top roller (only pinned to the bottom roller. Then, I rolled the quilt back to the top so I could start quilting inside the chain (a feathered heart) but as I was quilting, I noticed that the backing fabric now has little ripples in it. Did it stretch when I rolled it the first time? When I was doing the SID the backing was nice and flat and no ripples. Now that I have finished quilting all of the feathered hearts, I am going back and doing some quilting in the chain areas and outer border where the ripples are. I hope that it has ripples because it just needs to be quilted in those area, but it concerns me because maybe I stretched the backing too much as when I was doing the SID? It is a solid one piece batik backing and the top is not batik. I think the little ripples will go away after I quilt those areas... I HOPE!!! OK you seasoned professionals, what is happening here? Is this normal and the ripples will go away after I quilt those other areas? Otherwise, what should I do to prevent this in the future? Here is a photo of the "Unquilted" quilt top before I got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsigler Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Well, I'm certainly no seasoned professional and I'm not even sure what you mean, but I'll jump in anyway. Do you see ripples on the rolled part, or underneath between the rollers where you are going to stitch? And do you have even tension on the sides? And did you stitch the top to the backing along the sides as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted August 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Thanks for asking, Cathey. No ripples on the roller part. Yes underneath between the rollers where I am going to quilt. Yes, I have the pony clamps on both sides. Yes I stitched the top and backing along the sides as well (I did this as the very last step) About 30 minutes ago, I started quilting between the blocks and everything is going fine so far. I am not quilting any puckers on the back -- they are just little ripples but the quilting is going OK. Maybe these will go away later when it's off the frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted August 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 I finished the quilt and it looks OK on the back...a lot better than I thought it would; barely noticable but still a few little tiny ripples here and there where it's not quilted (open areas). Maybe I stretched it too tight while on the roller? It seems to be relaixng and going back into shape again. I probably was worried about something that just fixed itself. Hmmm... Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the quilt now that it's done! Whew! (but I still wonder what causes this ripple) Is it best not to roll the quilt back and forth when quilting? Perhaps it's better just to roll and switch threads and quilting motifs as you move down the quilt (rolling only once)??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Hi Shana-- Glad to hear you finished that pretty quilt. I think the reason you may have had tiny ripples in the backer is the way the sandwich is tensioned. As you were partially quilting and then advancing the quilt, the sandwich wraps around the take-up roller with the top going around a shorter distance than the backer. Think of a REAL sandwich wrapping around the roller (ugh) with the top bread getting a little scrunched together and the bottom bread getting stretched out. (I don't even want to think about what happens to the peanut butter!) Anyway, the backer will stretch a little between those larger unquilted areas but seem to be happy after all is quilted. If you quilt as you go, the stretch is minimal because everything is stitched with the clamps on and on the flat area.This will stabilize the quilt as you go. This is just supposition and maybe the brains from Iowa will chime in here! Post some pics of that pretty-in-pink quilt please!! Linda Rech Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 This is the quilt my guild pieced together for the young girl (driver of car) whose boyfriend and sister died in the car collision with a moose. What makes it even more horrible is these kids were on their way to spend time at their church's youth camp when the accident happened. Delta Junction is a small community so this accident really touched everyone in that little town. I was given the honor of quilting it, and so glad to do my part in this team effort. It is a big quilt, queen size. I got lots of practice making feathered hearts and SID. This was made with love and hoping this quilt comforts her while dealing with in her loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 I have been practicing my feathered hearts using the book "Formal Feathers" by Sherry Rogers Harrison. Except, these are not the formal ones (but I am still practicing those!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 I printed a heart shape on regular paper from the computer and cut it out and used it as a template for my purple erasable pen to make the heart spine outline. The feathers inside and outside are freehand. I've been practicing drawing on paper many times before doing this on the quilt. Thank you, Sherry Rogers Harrison, for your wonderful Formal feathers book. Thank you Linda V Taylor for your DVD that shows how to make feathers, too. We are so fortunate to have these teachers to share their ideas. It really is so helpful to learn this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerri Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 I have found the bit of rippling when I turn a quilt to stitch the side borders in one step. I believe it is from the little bit of stretching that goes on and the folding on itself when it is wrapped around the roller. Also, the quilt is being shrunken( a word?) up from the stitching you have already done. One solution I learned on a list (I can't remember which) is to spritz the backing with water from a spray bottle and let it dry. It is amazing how it shrinks back into shape. This method has made turning quilts much nicer without me dreading the ripples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crafty Unicorn Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, The quilt is beautiful and so is the quilting!!! I love Irish chains- just so much room to show-off in. It's a sad reason to make a quilt, but I'm sure it will comfort her in the future to know so many people care. Keep up the great work Leslie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, What a great job! Love it. Heidi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonjaHammond Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana: This looks great! Your feathers are fabulous. PPP has really paid off. I know the young lady will feel all the love when she wraps herself in the wonderful gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, You've surely been making good time of your practice! The quilt is stunning, and what a lovely tribute to those young people. Thanks so much for sharing this lovely work with us. Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebLou Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Love your feathered hearts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyJo Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, You have really done a beautiful job on those feathered hearts. All of your ppp has paid off and you can be proud of what you have accomplished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaB Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana..... Thank You so much for sharing this quilt and who it's going to. Beautiful quilt and your quilting just ROCKS!!! Keep up your good work girl!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matildanme Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Lovely feathers, most impressive! You sure you've not done this before? I'd better get me that dvd and book! Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belquilt Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, YOU GO GIRL!!! You are getting so good. That quilt is beautiful! I remember when you were waiting for you LA, and now you well on your way to becoming a pro. Keep those pic's coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennan100 Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shauna, this turned out great! You had me scared there for a minute, I was afraid Mary Beth's quilt was contagious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmquilt Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, That quilt is GREAT!!! Your feathers look just perfect. Michele Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizziesgirl Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, You did an awesome job and I'm sure that the love you put into quilting this will seep out and hug her everytime she wraps up in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, It's Beautious. You did a super job on those feathered hearts. And I love the design of the whole thing. It's definitely full of love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Shana, Great job girl!! The feathers are just beautimus!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsigler Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Freehand!!! You are my hero! I am in awe. You are so brave. I have one similar to that to quilt for Steve. It's an ebay quilt in blues. I am not brave enough to try freehand feathers yet, or am I??? Hmmm.... You did a fabulous job and you should be very pleased. I think the quilt is wonderful and will be cherished by the unfortunate. What a wonderful act of kindness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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