While this is not an all-inclusive list, quilting lines 2" apart should be adequate. P.S. While batting manufacturers recommend quilting distances of up to 8" to 10", if your quilt will be washed or heavily used, do consider adding more quilting stitches than that.
In every quilting class I've ever taken and every quilting book I've ever read the recommendation is a stitch length for machine quilting of 2.5 to 3.0 (or 8 to 12 stitches per inch). The really great thing about quilting is that YOU are in charge of the look that you want for YOUR quilt.
Quilt or tie up to 10″ apart! Quilt Warm & Natural right out of the package, as pre-washing is not necessary. Once quilted, machine wash and dry your finished quilt in cold water.
The reason most teach to start quilting at the center and work your way out is to help eliminate the possibility of puckers or bunching of your quilt top or backing fabric as you work your way through quilting.
Most batting come with directions on how close it needs to be quilted. For example, some battings say that you can leave areas of up to 3 square inches un-quilted. So, what happens if a polyester batting isn't quilted close enough? After several washings, the batting may wad-up in the areas in between the quilting.
Lightweight Towels – Can be used as a substitute for batting, but it will definitely give a different thickness and feel to a quilt.
I do NOT recommend doing a double batt with just cotton, or 8020, or bamboo. It makes them stiff. The purpose of doing a double batt is to add definition to the quilting and loft to the quilt. My favorite combo of double batting is a 8020 cotton poly base with the Hobbs heirloom wool on top.
A few of the fibres of the fabric that get swallowed up in that dip. A scant 1/4″ compensates for the loss of some fabric in the folds of a seam, so that the dimensions of your block remain true. A teensy bit of fabric gets lost in the seam.
Usually the reason for uneven stitch lengths is to do with poor travel of the work through the machine. This can be for a variety of reasons: The work is under tension and not lightly bunched so it will not feed evenly. Do not spread the work out but keep it a bit bunched with only the part you are sewing flat.
In design, there's a strong use of the Rule of Thirds, and I use this in quilting all the time! The Rule of Thirds simply means that things look pleasing to our eye if one design element (the pantograph) is one or two thirds the size of another element (the quilt piecing).
The problem is, straight line quilting without a walking foot requires free motion quilting, and when the quilt can go in any direction, it can be a bit of a project to try and master. But with only two rules to follow, as well as some practice, you'll be quilting short straight lines in no time.
The short answer is that you can prewash most batting – but that you don't actually have to. Modern quilt batting is designed to resist shrinking or to shrink very minimally (and that very shrinkage creates a homey look many quilt enthusiasts enjoy).
A 100% cotton sheet is one of the most affordable and widely available alternatives to quilt batting. Whether you purchase it new or used at a second-hand store, a cotton sheet is perfect for stabilizing your quilt top and back together.
Fleece — a Less Expensive Choice
Quilting with fleece can save you some money because it allows you to make a two-layer quilt instead of the traditional three-layer one. The fleece layer replaces both the batting (wadding) and backing layers.
The golden ratio occurs in nature and is widely considered to be the “perfect proportion.” Objects that adhere to the golden ratio appear balanced and pleasing to our senses. The ratio, in its simplest form, is 1.6 to 1. This is applied so that each border should be 1.6 times larger than the previous one.
1. Thou shalt not store a quilt in a plastic container or bag. This method often causes mold and mildew because it traps in any moisture, causing fibers to break down and leaving discoloration and staining. Another issue would be that plastic attracts insects.
In the beginning, the hardest part for me was getting my fabric cut properly so that it wouldn't go all wonky on me while sewing. I have learned over the years to take my time while cutting so that I can avoid having uneven pieces. It takes practice. Lots and lots of practice to perfect the skill of cutting.
Pressing well makes a big difference in the appearance of your finished quilt. Learn the secrets here! Good pressing is essential for accurate piecing. In general, every seam needs to be pressed before another unit is added, and most seam allowances are pressed to one side.
If you're going a quilt where 5 or more seams are coming together at one point, I'd recommend you consider pressing open. If you're making a bunch of perpendicular seams, pressing to the side can help get you really nice points. Try out both and see which you prefer!