World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of November 1, 1999:
Our question this week comes from Kelly in El Paso
Eventually, I'll be ready to quilt the Baltimore Album Quilt I've been working on. I feel applique is too delicate to hoop. Short of buying a frame any ideas on quilting applique?
J Mitchell :
I never use a hoop. Tried a couple of different ones. Hated them. I couldn't get my stitches small enough and even enough no matter how much I fiddled around tightening and loosening the tension inside the infernal things. Instead, I baste like crazy, then quilt on my lap. My stitches come out tiny (16 per inch), even on top and bottom, and beautiful. I advise that you experiment on some scrap stuff and do whatever works best for you---it's your quilt!
Judy :
I just finished two Baltimore Album quilts for my daughters. I never use a hoop. I baste every four inches both ways. I wear jeans, hold the quilt in my lap, and that provides enough tension. It works!
jacky :
If you're very careful when placing the hoop, you should be ok. I use several different size hoops depending on the area I'm doing. Just keep the fabric a little looser than usual and you'll have more control over the stiches. Good luck!!
Kathy in SC :
For an applique quilt I use my Q-Snap frame and when the clamps would hit on the applique I use large binder clips. You can miss the applique and still keep the tension you want. Find the binder clips at an office supply store.
Betty :
I never use a frame or a hoop to do my quilting. I use a basting frame to
put my 'sandwich' together,basting about every 3 to 4 inches. I then just hold it on my lap and with one
hand underneath I do the quilting.
Some quilt purest say I'm just 'basteing' and not 'quilting' but the
end result looks the same. I've tried using a frame and a hoop and it is
just too ackward. I did a queen size
floral applique using shadow quilting
around the flowers and it turned out
beautifully. Good Luck!!! Betty in Arizona
Susie Bonnet :
I have made a Baltimore Album and several other applique quilts, all done with hand applique and successfully quilted them in my 30" Hinterberg hoop. With a little care in the placement, there is no problem.
Katy in NE :
Stretch the backing onto a tiled floor (clean) and masking-tape all the edges down taut.
Then layer on the batting, then the top, taping the edges of the top. Then baste the heck out of it-
At least every 4". Then you can quilt the whole thing on your lap!
Maureen :
Our quilt group just finished a Baltimore Album quilt and the quilters cross hatched the area around the applique and it really looked great and received rave reviews at raffle time.
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