Beginning Machine Quilting
 

Hawaiian Rainbow Basket Quilt, Red and White Variation by Lisa Boyer 2004

Sorry--I don't have any close-up pictures of my machine quilting; I'm not that good of a photographer!!
You asked for it, and here it is! Machine quilting from beginning to end. In this class we will learn about backing, batting, basting, binding…and even some things that don't start with "b." After a preliminary lecture, we will back, bat and pin baste a quilt so you can see how it is done. After some instruction and practice, you will actually machine quilt a portion of the class demonstration quilt. Bring a quilt top of your own to class and receive advice on quilting patterns--and we may even have time to help you baste it and get started quilting on your very own quilt top.

Supplies to bring to class:
1. Sewing machine in working order. Bring your extension table for your machine if you have one.
2. Walking foot and darning foot for your machine (if you have.) If you don't own one, come and experience mine--it may help you decide whether or not to purchase your own. Julie has some generic walking feet and some "Big Foot" darning feet that may fit your machine.
3. Quality 100% cotton thread, such as Mettler purple label "Silk Finish" (not Mettler brown label quilting thread, it is meant for hand quilting.) Neutral color is fine and you can use it for other things. If you have good quality fine nylon quilting thread, bring that also.
4. General sewing supplies: sewing needles, fabric scissors, seam ripper, and fine, sharp straight pins. If you plan on basting your own top in class, you will need lots of small (#1) safety pins. For a double size quilt, you will need about 350 safety pins.
5. Sewing machine needles, size 80/12--preferably Schmetz needles.
6. A variety of fabric marking pens and pencils that you have on hand. Don't buy anything new; what you learn in class may help you decide which markers to purchase for marking your own quilt top.
7. A quilt top, if you have one. If time and space permits, we will get some tops pin-basted and ready for quilting. You will need batting (we will talk about why I recommend Hobbs Heirloom 80/20. No 100% polyester batts please!!). and backing fabric that is at least five inches bigger all around than your quilt top. This means you need to add ten inches to each of your quilt top dimensions i.e., if your quilt is 53X64, your backing and batting need to be 63X74. Use your walking foot to piece together the back and do not use selvedge edges even in the seam allowance…they make a puckery seam.

Highly Recommended Book: Harriet Hargrave's latest edition of "Heirloom Machine Quilting." It's a classic!
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