how do you choose the topstitch patterns for a basic quilt?
i have made only 3 quilts in my life and now that i am planning on making quilts for my kids i have the block pattern picked out, and want to do some machine quilting stitches on the blocks. do you have a favorite? or a website that helps you decide what stitch pattern to use?
i have gotten pretty good with my free motion foot, and enjoy learning new things, so no challenge is too great for me in the sewing area. i have also chosen to make the quilts in a quilt as you go method so nothing is going to be a problem size wise, my blocks are 10.5 in square finished. the fabric is pretty plain, the 6 patterns are a varigated green, varigated purple, mini butterfly with sparkles in a shade of purple, green polka dots, purple with white dragonfly drawings, and a green on green swirl. ( i am making 2 quilts, one in the greens and one in purples) and would like imput on topstitching ideas.
eta: on my last 3 quilts i used the stitch in the ditch method and liked the finish but i want to break away from the same old thing and do something new
My go to learning tool oddly enough is YouTube. You might be very surprised how many good instructional videos are available for review and to learn how do all kinds of things.
If you don't get enough satisfactory answers from here. I would try to find instructions via YouTube.
Hope this helps.
Ok when I saw you had butterfly fabric, I just had to share that I have only made one quilt in my life, and I did it by hand. Patchwork. My daughter's nursery had butterfly motif. So I actually did the pattern that holds the fabric together (I am thinking this is the topstitch pattern?) is a butterfly. It's really cute.
So I sewed each square together to make rows. Then I attached the rows together. Then I put the fluff in between and had a nice backing fabric. Then I used one of those hoops I think it was (?) and sewed the butterfly through all 3 layers of material to hold it together.
Love the sound of your fabric.
ETA: This is the site my sister uses. They have a ton of easy to follow tutorials:
Love this site for eating responses.
Take a scrap piece of fabric and test out the stitches that are on your machine to see if you like any. Check to see if they can be increased in size for a larger design. Some stitches can straddle two quilt squares and give depth to the quilt. There is "echo" quilting but you might want to do that on an heirloom type or for an older child.
Since you will be making the quilt for your child(ren) I would tend to make it with utility type stitches that can hold of up rough usage.
Whatever you decide will be the perfect design for the quilts.
the other S.
Tadpole,
I have not quilted. My mom did. I know that each quilt she made had a different stitch - it all depended upon what the quilt was being used for.
If you'd like to send me a message? I can take close up pictures and send them to you so you can see.
I know that when she did the Blue Jean blankets - she doubled stitched because she expected them to be used outside, etc.
