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Post by craftedbys on Nov 15, 2015 16:38:55 GMT
I have a few questions for all of you quilters and/or quilt lovers.
I have been quilting for a couple of years and have made close to a dozen quilts, mostly lap (45" square) or twin size-ish. My enjoyment comes from designing the quilt top and picking out the fabrics. I don't always use a pattern, I will take a block I like and design my own quilt using that block or make my own twist on a pattern. I have even made my own design from scratch. It takes longer that way, but to me that is part of the fun.
In the past few months, I have completed three quilt tops, another just needs the a border, and have blocks made to make another top. I have the designs ready for two more quilts ready to go.
What I don't find enjoyable is the making of the quilt sandwich and the actual quilting. I have never perfected FMQ and my machine is a 23 year old Singer and sometimes it is hard to get the bulk of a quilt through the harp. And even if I am just doing straight line quilting, it gets boring and no matter how many pins I put in, I always end up with some puckers on the underside of the quilt. I have one quilt that I am in the process of quilting, but I just haven't finished it. I would much rather design/sew the tops.
So my big question is this: is it "cheating" to send the quilt tops off to be quilted by someone else? DH says yes, that if I do I'm not a quilter, I'm the sewer (of the quilt top). My girl friends all say that it's not cheating, LOL. And if you do send it off to be quilted, how do you label the quilt? Where do you send them to? Companies you would recommend?
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quiltedbrain
Full Member
Posts: 429
Jun 26, 2014 3:34:53 GMT
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Post by quiltedbrain on Nov 15, 2015 17:19:30 GMT
It's not cheating in my opinion. If you enjoy that part of the process and not the rest, so be it. Your art, your way.
There are lots of folks who take tops made by others and quilt them as a small business. Check with your local quilt shop for recommendations.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 10, 2024 8:19:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2015 17:22:52 GMT
It's absolutely not cheating. Send your tops away and free yourself of the guilt. You are still a quilter.  |
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Post by Basket1lady on Nov 15, 2015 17:24:27 GMT
No, it is not cheating. And I'm not someone who does that, FWIW. I prefer the hand quilting part of the entire process!
But for those who like the designing and piecing, I think sending out the tops to be quilted is a great idea. And think of it this way--many of these women do the quilting as a side business, so you are helping out someone else.
Or you can just tell your DH that you need one of those new fancy machines made specifically for quilting!
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Post by lancermom on Nov 15, 2015 17:35:24 GMT
Not cheating at all. I send all my quilts to a quilter. She had a big machine that will make all my layers lay flat. The stitching is even and she can make it much fancier than I can.
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Post by melrose on Nov 15, 2015 17:35:14 GMT
If it is, I'm a cheater but I don't believe it's cheating. I am a quilter. My fabric stash (hoard) proves it! I believe in having the best tools available for any craft but I will not buy a long arm machine for the 10 quilts I may do in a year.
You don't see any golfer's buying/using a lawn mower, do you? Teehee......
Now if you want to learn long arm, go for it!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 10, 2024 8:19:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2015 17:40:44 GMT
While this topic is being discussed, do any of you know good home sewing machines with larger throat clearance that can be used for FMQ quilts larger than throw-size? I don't need anything fancy -- I really just like straight line quilting anyway. I'm not planning on buying soon but maybe in a year or two. Just wondering what's out there and popular from actual quilters. I feel like a while ago there were some quilting bloggers who bought machines with large throat clearances for doing their own quilting but I didn't save that information and now can't find it anywhere. OP, sorry for the hijack!  |
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Nov 15, 2015 18:03:30 GMT
While this topic is being discussed, do any of you know good home sewing machines with larger throat clearance that can be used for FMQ quilts larger than throw-size? I don't need anything fancy -- I really just like straight line quilting anyway. I'm not planning on buying soon but maybe in a year or two. Just wondering what's out there and popular from actual quilters. I feel like a while ago there were some quilting bloggers who bought machines with large throat clearances for doing their own quilting but I didn't save that information and now can't find it anywhere. OP, sorry for the hijack! . I looked last year and couldn't find one in my price range (not $1000+) which was a little disheartening. You may do better looking second hand. I am lucky in that my mom has a wicked machine so I visit her when I need to quilt. |
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Post by melrose on Nov 15, 2015 18:06:38 GMT
While this topic is being discussed, do any of you know good home sewing machines with larger throat clearance that can be used for FMQ quilts larger than throw-size? I don't need anything fancy -- I really just like straight line quilting anyway. I'm not planning on buying soon but maybe in a year or two. Just wondering what's out there and popular from actual quilters. I feel like a while ago there were some quilting bloggers who bought machines with large throat clearances for doing their own quilting but I didn't save that information and now can't find it anywhere. OP, sorry for the hijack! Check out THIS thread (pun intended!) and forum...I'm a member there and find so much useful info. HTH! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 10, 2024 8:19:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2015 18:15:05 GMT
Well technically you do piecing or designing.
Quilting is the act of sewing the layers together.
It only matters if you are going to enter your quilt in a show. Then you must give credit to the quilter. But int the grand scheme of things who cares.
I will add : two women I know who do quilting , will quilt their names into your quilt. It does tKe a sharp eye to see tho
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Post by lucyg on Nov 15, 2015 18:17:42 GMT
Absolutely not cheating. I never quilt anything myself except the smallest decorative pieces. Tell your hubby to do the quilting himself if he's so dedicated to the idea of doing it at home.   Ask at your local quilt shop for the names of machine quilters. We have lots of local professional and semi-pro machine quilters. No need to ship it off somewhere. And for the record to all you spring chickens, when I started quilting in 1983, it was considered lazy to do anything but hand quilt. Yourself. Machine quilting, tying/knotting, and shipping out to the Amish for hand quilting were all L.A.Z.Y. I should know, I did 'em all at one point or another. It was also hard to find cotton batts back then. Lots of polyester, very little cotton. Cotton required such close quilting that most people didn't want to use it. Spring chickens. |
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Post by rst on Nov 15, 2015 18:17:55 GMT
Purists will say that you are a piecer or a patchwork maker, but really, who cares? In my book, anyone who loves quilts and takes part in making them is a quilter. As for how to label -- you are the maker. If your hired quilter does very unique, custom work, then you may choose to list them on the label, but if it's a basic edge to edge or a pantograph (machine guided) then to me, that's not necessary, unless you want to honor the person doing the quilting work for some reason. You can tell your husband, OP, that you are having some of the finishing work hired out. Carpenters do it, car enthusiasts often hire out specific task sets -- lots of hobbies have some elements of the work that are often hired out due to equipment or skill requirements.
Asheley -- you're looking for a machine with a larger harp. They can be hard to find at lower price points. I love my Bernina QE440 and have FMQed king sized quilts on it, but I admit that it's hard work, and not likely something I will do again. You could look into the possibility of renting time on a long arm or mid-arm machine. Sometimes a quilt shop or a guild will have one that people can be trained to use, then pay by the hour to do their own work on it.
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Post by rst on Nov 15, 2015 18:20:42 GMT
Meant to add -- if you want to send a quilt out for the quilting and can find nobody local, you could look into Missouri Star Quilt Co. They do have this service, at very reasonable rates (at least compared with what long armers local to me would charge) and from what little I have seen, they do a very nice job. Of course, you end up paying shipping there and back in addition to the service, and it starts getting spendy.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 10, 2024 8:19:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2015 18:36:53 GMT
While this topic is being discussed, do any of you know good home sewing machines with larger throat clearance that can be used for FMQ quilts larger than throw-size? I don't need anything fancy -- I really just like straight line quilting anyway. I'm not planning on buying soon but maybe in a year or two. Just wondering what's out there and popular from actual quilters. I feel like a while ago there were some quilting bloggers who bought machines with large throat clearances for doing their own quilting but I didn't save that information and now can't find it anywhere. OP, sorry for the hijack! Check out THIS thread (pun intended!) and forum...I'm a member there and find so much useful info. HTH! Looks great, thank you!!! |
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Deleted
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May 10, 2024 8:19:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2015 18:39:37 GMT
Many award winning quilts have tops made by one person and the quilting completed by another person. It is not cheating. Enjoy your accomplishments!
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Post by blarneygirl on Nov 15, 2015 19:01:57 GMT
My girlfriend does this. I don't see anything wrong with this choice. If she felt she had to do the quilting herself, she would probably end up setting aside the entire hobby. Why not just do the parts you enjoy? I'm sure your quilts are beautiful!
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Post by ~Sherri~ on Nov 15, 2015 19:14:23 GMT
While this topic is being discussed, do any of you know good home sewing machines with larger throat clearance that can be used for FMQ quilts larger than throw-size? I don't need anything fancy -- I really just like straight line quilting anyway. I'm not planning on buying soon but maybe in a year or two. Just wondering what's out there and popular from actual quilters. I feel like a while ago there were some quilting bloggers who bought machines with large throat clearances for doing their own quilting but I didn't save that information and now can't find it anywhere. OP, sorry for the hijack! Ashely, I have a Brother PQ1500S High Speed Quilting and Sewing Machine that I love for doing FMQ or straight line quilting. The Brother only does a straight stitch but it is an awesome machine. The throat space is about 9 inches. I have done almost queen size quilts on it. I only paid $500 for mine a few years ago. I don't think it is cheating. If I could afford it, I would send all of the quilts I make to a long arm quilter. Have you ever tried using Elmer's school glue to baste your quilts? I use a bottle, some times two, per quilt. I spread it out on two tables and glue the batting to the bottom, let it dry and then glue the top to the batting. No fighting with pins and it doesn't shift. Elmer's school glue is just thick starch and washes out completely, leaving no evidence at all that you used it. I stock pile it during back to school sales. |
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Post by mom2samlibby on Nov 15, 2015 20:55:13 GMT
If that's cheating or you can't sa you are a quilter, someone should let Camille know.  www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com She sends the majority of hers out to get quilted. |
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Post by craftedbys on Nov 15, 2015 20:58:06 GMT
Thanks for all of the replies! DH and I were discussing this again after I posted and he brought up the cost of shipping, etc. Now I can tell him I can try to find someone local, although the closest actual quilt shop is about an hour away.
I asked my almost 18 yo DD her opinion, and she said she would rather have one done by me, wrinkles and imperfections and all. That was touching, but ugh, LOL. So I will more than likely just straight stitch the quilt top I have designed/made for her a quilt. I had wanted to have it done by Christmas, but that isn't happening at the speed I machine quilt (the term glacial leaps to mind). So it will end up being for her birthday next May.
I really would rather stick to what I enjoy, and what I am good at, LOL. So I thank you all for the validation. I am glad to know I'm not a "cheater" in the eyes of other quilters!
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Post by compwalla on Nov 15, 2015 21:05:12 GMT
It's not cheating at all but if you want to solve your pucker problems, 505 quilt basting spray is the answer. I never use anything else and the puckers are reduced to almost never.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,414
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Nov 15, 2015 21:08:27 GMT
Nope, not cheating in my book. I tie my larger ones (king and queen size) with pearl cotton thread because I'm cheap and don't want to pay long arm costs and shipping and all that. I straight line, usually stitch in the ditch style, quilt my smaller quilts. No free hand for me! I can't even draw a smooth line, let alone stitch one free hand! My new to me antique morse machine has a slightly larger throat than my Viking emerald and I can free stitch on it so I might try machine quilting a larger one in the future,
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037 
Location: Valley of the Sun
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Nov 15, 2015 21:21:15 GMT
Definitely not cheating.
You could call your closest quilt shop and see if they know of anyone who does long arm quilting near you. My quilt shop lets people leave business cards (once they've seen the work and approve) for long arm quilting. Maybe they could help you over the phone and you wouldn't have to drive and potentially waste all the driving time.
I like to buy fabric, create the pattern, and watch it all come together. I don't enjoy the quilting part or the binding part. I figure it's my hobby so I can do it however I want!
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Post by cmputerdazed on Nov 16, 2015 1:02:46 GMT
Do what you like it is your hobby. I am like you and have found a great long armer. Makes everyone happy because I am usually sick of the quilt by the time the top is done. When I get it back I love it again.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Nov 16, 2015 5:50:01 GMT
I have a few questions for all of you quilters and/or quilt lovers. I have been quilting for a couple of years and have made close to a dozen quilts, mostly lap (45" square) or twin size-ish. My enjoyment comes from designing the quilt top and picking out the fabrics. I don't always use a pattern, I will take a block I like and design my own quilt using that block or make my own twist on a pattern. I have even made my own design from scratch. It takes longer that way, but to me that is part of the fun. In the past few months, I have completed three quilt tops, another just needs the a border, and have blocks made to make another top. I have the designs ready for two more quilts ready to go. What I don't find enjoyable is the making of the quilt sandwich and the actual quilting. I have never perfected FMQ and my machine is a 23 year old Singer and sometimes it is hard to get the bulk of a quilt through the harp. And even if I am just doing straight line quilting, it gets boring and no matter how many pins I put in, I always end up with some puckers on the underside of the quilt. I have one quilt that I am in the process of quilting, but I just haven't finished it. I would much rather design/sew the tops. So my big question is this: is it "cheating" to send the quilt tops off to be quilted by someone else? DH says yes, that if I do I'm not a quilter, I'm the sewer (of the quilt top). My girl friends all say that it's not cheating, LOL. And if you do send it off to be quilted, how do you label the quilt? Where do you send them to? Companies you would recommend? Tell your DH to MYOB, even the woman who owns the quilt shop I frequent sends some of her quilts out to be finished. I send everything larger than a baby blanket out. I use a shop that is operated out of someone's home. The live a few miles from me and they price your work out by the inch. They do great work. If I were you I would google local quilters around my area and check some of them out. Or perhaps your DH is subtly suggesting you need to buy a new machine to do all that quilting on, your choice.  |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Nov 16, 2015 13:45:33 GMT
I haven't quilted in a while but I'm starting to get the itch again. Thanks for posting this, lots of good information. I'll try that basting spray too. My problem is that I have 2 king size beds in the house right now. Queen is much more doable on my machine (an old QE 150 Bernina)
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