Quilt Along: Comments Roundup

Wow!  We have 59 74 members in the Flickr Group already and some fabulous fabric photos are showing up too.  So exciting!  I want to apologize for the slow start we're getting off to.  I'm having kind of a crazy week at work and wasn't able to take my regular day off, so the next post will be on Friday afternoon.  After that, we'll pick up the pace with a post every couple of days. 

In the meantime, I'm going to respond to comments on each quilt-along post with a follow-up post like this.  Please continue to include your questions and suggestions in the comments, as I think they're helpful to all of us! 

On Feed Dogs:

Several of you had suggestions for ways of covering feed dogs instead of lowering them.  I thought a discussion of this could be useful, since not everyone has a machine with lower-able feed dogs, so I started a discussion thread in the Flickr group.  If you have a great tip about covering feed dogs, or need to learn one, please share your questions/information here.

On Needles:

There was some discussion about using Universal vs. Sharp/Microtex needles on cotton and I wanted to talk about that a little more.  

Any needle is going to poke holes in your fabric -- that's what they do.  The general idea with needle types and sizes is to choose one that will cause the least disruption to the fabric and, thus, make a nice stitch.  Universal needles are strong, but not quite as sharp or tapered as a Sharp/Microtex needles.  It has been my experience that new, sharp Universal needles work just fine for sewing mid-weight quilting cottons and linens.  Sharp/Microtex needles will also work for mid-weight cottons.  They're more expensive so, when it comes to using them on a fabric like mid-weight cotton, I think of Sharp/Microtex as sort of a high-end luxury needle -- nice, but ultimately not necessary. 

I do use Sharp/Microtex needles on finer fabrics with a tighter weave like silk, satin, Liberty Lawn and some apparel fabrics.  The sharper, tapered point causes less disruption to the fine, tight weave of these more delicate fabrics, thus, making a nicer stitch.  I also use Sharp/Microtex needles for sewing vintage percale sheets and pillowcases, since they have a tight weave and have often become softer with age.

Whatever type you use, be sure to start your project with a new, sharp needle and be prepared to switch it out after every few hours of sewing.  This may seem excessive, but it really does make a world of difference to the quality of your stitch!

On Quilt Sizes:

The Mod Sampler is 52" x 62", which is a small lap quilt.  As I mentioned in the first post, I'm only going to be writing about making that size.  There did seem to be some confusion about quilt sizes in general though, so I wanted to talk about that a bit.

"Standard" bedding sizes vary quite a bit by manufacturer or quilter.  I use these as basic guidelines:

• Crib = 45" x 60"

• Twin = 66" x 86"

• Queen = 90" x 90"

• King = 110" x 90"

Unless you're making a quilt to fit a bed, I don't think there's any compelling reason to conform to "standard" sizes. 

I try to make baby quilts in a smaller size that's easy to carry around or spread on the floor -- anywhere from 36" x 36" to 45" x 45".  For lap quilts, I vary the size by the recipient.  I'm 5'2", so the Mod Sampler is a good size lap quilt for me.  The lap quilt I recently made my husband (who's a foot taller) is 74" x 74".  If you're making a quilt for a child, you can similarly vary the size based on the age/size of the child.  

When in doubt about quilt size, I check out the websites for home furnishings stores that I like and compare the size of my prospective project to the size of the bedding or throws they're selling.       

On Enlarging the Mod Sampler Pattern:

I really want to keep this focused for beginners, so I'm not going to go into a lot of detail about this.  However, I wanted to mention again that that the Mod Sampler is made of 8" (finished) blocks with 2" (finished) sashing.  There are six different block styles.  If you'd like to make something bigger, please use these numbers to draft your pattern.

On Precuts:

I'll actually be making two quilts during this quilt along.  One is going to use fat quarters and quarter yard cuts and the other will use scraps.  If you want to use parts of a precut package (Layer Cake, Jelly Roll, etc.) to make the Mod Sampler Quilt, the scrappy version is the way to go.  Just make sure that you have enough fabric (about three yards worth) to make all of the blocks.  Another thing to keep in mind is that the pieces for the sampler blocks will need to be cut into a variety of sizes, up to 4.5" x 8.5".  This means, for example, that you can't use just a Jelly Roll (which is only 2.5" wide) to make all of your blocks.

On Thread Color:

I realized today that I didn't say a thing about thread color!  Unless I'm using really dark fabrics, I usually do my piecing with white thread.  I will admit that, because the stitching on the blocks isn't visible, I also use piecing as a way to use up loose ends of thread spools.  I wouldn't recommend using anything with too much contrast but, when I have extra thread in a similar value, I'll often use it up making patchwork blocks.  In terms of quilting thread, I like to use thread that matches my sashing.  (I don't like my quilting thread to be highly visible though.  If you do want your stitches to be prominent, using a contrasting color thread might be a better plan.)  I always use the same color thread and bobbin for quilting.

On Thread Types:

I use Gutermann 100% Polyester thread for quilting.  This is just my personal preference.  I like the look of the thinner stitches that polyester thread makes.  There's quite a difference in quality among brands though and my experiences with brands other than Gutermann have not been good!

Lower-end thread is often made from a combination of cotton and polyester -- usually cotton-wrapped polyester.  I don't recommend using this thread for piecing or quilting, as it's pretty flimsy and doesn't always give a nice stitch.

Many quilting threads are 100% cotton and that is what I see most people using and recommending.  I think cotton thread is great to work with and, if you want your quilting to be prominent, it's probably your best option.  One thing to note about 100% cotton quilting threads is that there is a difference between those designed for hand and machine quilting.  Hand Quilting thread usually has a waxy coating, so you don't want to use it in your machine.

Some people like to use "invisible" monofiliment thread (sort of like really thin fishing line) for quilting.  I've seen lots of safety warnings about monofiliment thread.  It can be dangerous if swallowed by babies or pets, so that's something to be aware of.  Apart from that, I think it's kind of fussy to work with and it's not truly invisible.  If you look closely, you can still see a kind of plasticky sheen.

When we get to quilting, I'll show examples of quilting done with several different kinds of thread.

There was also a comment about the possibility of thread rotting over time.  The comment suggested that polyester thread would rot but cotton would not.  I'm pretty sure the reverse is actually true, as cotton is a natural fiber and polyester is a synthetic.  Given enough time and the right circumstances, most parts of most quilts will rot.  I'm not familiar with the reasons (other than, I would imagine, authenticity) for using cotton thread in heirloom sewing, but I don't think they necessarily apply to contemporary quiltmaking.

On Pre-Washing Batting:

I know I'm really in the minority with the whole pre-washing batting thing.  I just don't like things to shrink and batting shrinks a lot.  Because I use natural fiber batting, my quilts still get that "wrinkly look" after washing.  They just don't shrink.  Regardless of pre-washing, It's been my experience that natural fiber batting wrinkles up more than synthetic. 

On Rotary Cutter Size:

My rotary cutter has a 45mm blade and it works well.  I've never used one of the larger 60mm cutters.  If anyone reading has used both, I would love to hear about it in the comments.  What are the pros and cons of using a larger blade?

Comments

[Amy]

Thank you again for the inspiration to work in a more organized fashion. I'm looking forward to working outside my comfort zone.

[Ingrid]

Thanks so much. Your discussion on thread types was really helpful. I'm a very new quilter and these are exactly the basic questions I have.
I'm really looking forward to your post regarding choosing fabrics. I've been browsing some of the online stores you recommended but am getting a bit overwhelmed at how to choose patterns that will match, in addition to how to choose to sets of light and dark fabrics that will work with the sampler pattern. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide in this area.

[Amanda Elizabeth]

This is super helpful, I also am a fan of gutermann poly thread, but recently my local fabric store has started carrying a 100% cotton that is amazing, it's in a beige colored spool, at first I wasn't sure about it, but now I really am pleased with it, it's not overly thick and has a very nice sheen to it!

[stacey]

I had always used a 45mm rotary blade and was never able to get the right amount of pressure and I just felt somewhat awkward cutting with it. I would get the job done but there was always some skipping or jumping and I just never liked it. Then one day I was taking a quilting class and I had forgotten my cutter so the teacher lent me her 60mm. I bought one for myself that night. What a difference! I don't know if it's because there is more area to cut with or that the handle has a different shape or what but I was cutting like a pro with that thing. Haven't gone back to my 45mm since. I might just use it for paper. I use an Olfa cutter by the way. http://www.olfa.com/RotaryCuttersDetail.aspx?C=20&Id=71

[Mandy]

Thank you to everyone sharing their tips and experiences. I feel super confident entering into this quilt-along. I love that I'm learning so much about something I'm passionate about.

[Janis]

What a wonderful wealth of information! I have a friend who is just beginning to get the quilting bug. I'm going to send her your way. So much good information here.

I know it took you a lot of time to put this all together, so many people will beneift from it. Thanks for sharing!

[Valerie]

I was wondering how you wash your batting. Do you put it in something before putting it in the machine? I would think that the batting would shed but maybe not?

[Jenny]

Don't apologize about anything!! You're writing an excellent book for us and giving it to us for free!

[Mary]

I use a 45mm blade, but I have used a 60mm, and it was really nice. I think it feels smoother to a lot of people because the blade is making fewer revolutions per cut, so it feels even. I still use a 45, only because the 60mm is only really good if you aren't making lots of small cuts. For smaller cuts, and especially for anything with curves, you have more control with the 45mm. At least that's been my experience. I've found the biggest difference comes from switching your blades regularly so you're never working with a dull blade.

[beth]

I'm so excited about this project. Thank you so much for doing this. And I may be in the minority here but please take your time. This should be fun so please don't feel like you have to rush! I'm going to have a hard time keeping up anyway.

Again thank you thank you thank you!!! I'm so looking forward to tomorrow's post (whenever it may come our way!).

[dawn draper]

I'm another 45mm blade user. The last time I tried a 60mm, I found it harder to "push",so I stick with the 45mm, which is easier for me to control.

With respect to thread, when I started quilting (1994) there was a lot of prejudice against polyester thread for quiltmaking. I think a lot of people believe that poly threads are the same now as they were in the 1970s...so not true! I haven't used Gutermann, but the polyester threads from Superior are amazing, and I find I am choosing them more and more for my quilts.

[Carolyn]

I'll sheepishly admit to having 4 different rotary cutters. Two with 45mm blades, one with a 60mm blade, and one with the really tiny blade (can't remember the size offhand). For the most part I stick with the 45mm, but if I'm cutting through several layers of fabric at once I use the 60mm. Seems to work better for that. Just don't try to use the big blade on anything with sharp curves! That's what I have my tiny blade for.
Thanks for setting up this quilt-a-long! I just started reading your blog and I love it. Such great inspiration!

[Debbie Myers`]

Hi Elizabeth~
First of all I want to thank you for taking on this Quilt Along Project. I just know this is going to be a TON of fun!! Secondly, I have a Flickr question ~ perhaps you'll know the answer!(I haven't a clue who to ask, so thought I'd try you...) I know nil about Flickr. If one has a blog and they've posted on Flickr, is the blog address posted/listed automatically anywhere? Is a blog address an option? And, if so, where/how does one post their blog address? I notice that you have your blog/address listed, but that doesn't seem to be the norm. I think it should/would be a wonderful piece of additional info for Flickr. I LOVE checking out/reading/following blogs. And you just know, based on these fabrics that are being picked out for your QAP that the owners would have awesome blogs. I'd hate to be missing something, 'ya know?!!? Thanks again. Mostly for your time!!

[Emily]

A quick thought about thread colour (or color :o) When I made my first quilt, my older Mennonite lady friends who helped me choose fabric etc. recommended sewing with an off-white neutral instead of a pure white. They say that it then blends in with both white and coloured fabrics and is actually more neutral. Kind of like wearing a beige or brown bra under a white shirt I guess!

[jill]

I might be jumping ahead, but do I need to wash and iron all my fabrics before starting? Thanks!

[lina]

Hi there, delurking to say that this is all very useful information and thank you for sharing. I have been sewing a while and it still amazes me how much more I have to learn. The needle information was particularly news to me, so thank you!

[Sarah]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Sarah

http://www.lyricsdigs.com

[Karla Yoshinaka]

I just started reading your blog and am curious - I have never quilted in my life and want to learn. Is this really for a beginner? It looks amazing! The directions look awesome, so I want to start my attempt. Also, are there any quilting reference books you can recommend? I'm in Beaverton - are there other fabric shops you can recommend on this side of town?