World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of January 19, 1998:

Our question this week comes from Anita Norton

I love to piece and quilt, but I hate marking the tops! Any suggestions to make this job more enjoyable and easier?

Cheri Warner :
I don't mark any more than I have to and have found several ways to get around it and still quilt in interesting patterns. One method is to make a freezer paper pattern of the stencil you would like to use. This can be quilted around and then place in the next area that you want it. Since I almost always use 100% cotton batting it is not a problem to iron my basted quilt. For straight lines, I lay a piece of ribbon on the area to be quilted and pin it in place. I often find that I am able to simply use the pattern in the fabric as my stitching guide. I have taught myself to do feathers and feathered wreaths without any marking at all. It really is not complicated at all and I would recommend that if you want to learn to quilt without having to mark your top, that you purchase the book written by Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham. I think the title is Quilting with Style (my copy is currently on loan to a friend). This book is a fabulous resource and one that has had a profound influence on my hand quilted work. I like my quilts really quilted because I am fascinated by the secondary textures that are produced but was always stumped by the tedium of choosing and marking. Now I most often just pop the quilt in the frame and let my intuition guide my choices as I go. If there is something that I feel I really have to mark, I use a chaco chalk wheel which can be used either before basting or after I have it in the frame.
One other suggestion...get yourself a "buddy". I have a friend who comes and helps me baste or mark (Usually she helps me baste). Of course, we take turns and I help her do her quilts as well. The time passes quickly when you have someone talking to you and we can get a full size top basted in an afternoon.

Bonnie :
For your borders, as long as your me

anita anderson :
Doing crosshatch I use masking tape after I have "stopped the stickies" by putting the tape against a piece of flannel or velvet.

Carol Doak :
I totally agree with Anita! Marking tops is my least favorite quilting activity, but I do love the quilting part. So, my
answer is to mark as I go. Having to mark just a bit at a time is easier to accept and the fresh lines are easier on the eyes.
Happy quilting, Carol

Dawn Young :
At a recent machine quilting class in Atl the teacher suggested looking for fabrics that had an all-over pattern from which you could pick a line in e.g., swirls and follow it for the quilting pattern. We then toured the shop and it was surprising how many fabrics had "built-in" lines of pattern that could easily be followed for either hand or machine quilting. Sometimes they were subtle tone-on-tones while other patterns were more dramatic with higher contrast in value.
Maybe I didn't really answer your question because what I am in essence suggesting is that, at times, you need NOT mark the top at all.
It's a thought.
Bye
Dawn

Sheryl Colle :
If it's straight lines I use masking tape. If the design is a particular shape, I draw that shape on contact paper. Peal off the paper and use the vinyl part with the adhesive. Just stick it on your top and quilt around the edges. You can use it over and over again. It leaves no residue on the quilt.

Anthony :
Didn't say whether you hand quilt or machine quilt. I used to hate marking until taught the secret: Don't mark! Here are some thoughts from a machine quilter.

For grids, use a backing fabric with a strongly diagonal motif. Many dots, flowers, and other small prints have this type motif. Quilt around major shapes, then quilt grid from the back going from dot to dot or flower to flower.

Another idea! Trace book patterns onto tissue or tracing paper. Pin the paper to the quilt, and quilt thru paper, tear paper away.

Another idea! Transfer stencil designs to top using powdered chalk, talc, cornstarch, etc. Dip cotton ball in powder and rub over stencil; dust will go thru slits and leave design on quilt. Spray lightly w/hair spray to fix chalk if necessary. Wipes off with damp cloth. Make colored chalk dust by grating sidewalk chalk w/nutmeg grater(Martha Stewart). note: stay away from yellow and red.

Best idea! Stipple, meander, or do your own original freeform designs. Just make sure quilting is balanced across the piece so it hangs well.

SHale :
Put in a favorite CD or turn on an interesting TV program. Work for the lenth of the CD or program, the quit for the day. Work the same lenght of time tomorrow. In between do some of your favorite things.

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