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As I expect you know, applique quilts are a problem to quilt - the applique is so lively that the quilting has to take a back seat, so to speak, and it is either grid quilting or echo quilting.
I have done echo quilting on several applique quilts and the choice is to mark in some way or to "eyeball" it (estimate by eye) . My first Hawaiian quilt was eyeballed at about 3/8th inch -because I thought that was the more traditional method for Hawaiian quilts - but it looked at bit haphazard to me. So I went back to marking, using a method I used earlier in a Princess Feather quilt (see photo). I quilt in a large frame so easy to do.....
The method is to use a small ruler and use straight pins to mark a line at the chosen distance - in the photo of the red and white quilt, it is 1/2 inch. Use as many as needed, I usually insert a pin every inch or so. You'll have to look carefully at the photo to see the heads of the pins showing where to quilt next. This does not take long to do, is accurate and of course leaves no markings and looks very fresh. Just aim for the pins and remove as they get in the way. Of course, do not use old or rusted pins. Do a small area at a time or you'll get bored....
I have done echo quilting on several applique quilts and the choice is to mark in some way or to "eyeball" it (estimate by eye) . My first Hawaiian quilt was eyeballed at about 3/8th inch -because I thought that was the more traditional method for Hawaiian quilts - but it looked at bit haphazard to me. So I went back to marking, using a method I used earlier in a Princess Feather quilt (see photo). I quilt in a large frame so easy to do.....
The method is to use a small ruler and use straight pins to mark a line at the chosen distance - in the photo of the red and white quilt, it is 1/2 inch. Use as many as needed, I usually insert a pin every inch or so. You'll have to look carefully at the photo to see the heads of the pins showing where to quilt next. This does not take long to do, is accurate and of course leaves no markings and looks very fresh. Just aim for the pins and remove as they get in the way. Of course, do not use old or rusted pins. Do a small area at a time or you'll get bored....
The pin method is interesting - perhaps it would be quicker to "mark" the centre line on 1in strips I'm quilting that way than with a marker.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that Hawaiian quilts echo quilting was measured by the width of a finger (little finger?) which would work out about 3/8in. Is there any evidence for this?
I like the effect of echo quilting - like a lot of utilitarian things, the repetition adds weight to the design.
Breath taking quilting! Your quilts are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteLiz
oh I love the princess feather quilt, it is just beautiful and beautifully quilted.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tip for echo quilting, I NEVER would have though of that. I have been wanting to buy a floor frame for a long time.
I love to hand quilt and have been told its hard to learn to quilt in different directions did it take you a long time to learn?
I can see myself sitting for 15 minutes here and there taking a few more stitches and getting a top finished in no time since it is all set up.
what kind of frame do you have?
thanks
Kathie
What a great idea! I quilt in a lap hoop (haven't done any in a long time). Love the no-marking methods. Great pictures, and your Princess Feather is fabulous! I like your rulers, too. I just found some new C-Thru rulers (the thin plastic one) after looking for a while; the little metal one looks wonderfully useful, I'll have to keep an eye out for that one, too. (More pictures of your quilts, please!) :D
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilting! Great tip using the pins to mark where you will quilt next.
ReplyDelete