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I have become totally hooked on sending my quilts out to be longarmed. However, sometimes the time just doesn't allow for that. Sometimes you have to get that quilt done and gift wrapped right? Today I am sharing my top five quilting designs I go to in a pinch.
1: 1" Straight Line Quilting
This is my #1 go-to quilting design. I use my walking foot and guide attachment. My walking foot has an attachment for each side so if I needed to I could reverse the direction I am goin. I start on one end of the quilt and go to the other. I know traditionally you are supposed to start in the middle and work out. However, if you go across the whole quilt, edge to edge you won't have any issues. You just have to keep moving in the same direction to avoid any puckers or pulling.
Pattern in the image above is the Italian Tiles Quilt Pattern available in my shop!
2: ½" Matchstick Quilting
Ok technically "matchstick" is ⅛" or less, but this is so much work I think it still counts as matchstick. I LOVE the texture this adds to a quilt. The ½" quilting lends itself really well to just about any pattern! The narrow width adds a great texture. From the needle on my machine to the outside edge of the walking foot is about ½" so I didn't use my guide arm for this.
3: 2" Crosshatch Quilting
This pattern quilted up much faster than I anticipated. This 2" crosshatch pattern is an easy way to get the quilt top quilted in one direction quickly. I used a 45° angle and then rotated the quilt 90° to get the opposite. You could also apply this same grid at 90° across the whole quilt for a simple boxed quilting pattern.
4: 60° Triangle Quilting
To achieve this pattern I started with 2" horizontal quilting all the way through the quilt. Then I used my ruler and Hera marker to mark out the 60° lines so that they aligned with the triangles in the piecing of the quilt top. I used that angle as a guide so that they would line up every now and then when I went across the quilt. Lastly, add one more 60° line in the opposite direction and you will have a triangle design. This is one of those quilting designs that is easier than it looks! It creates a really dynamic effect.
The pattern pictured here is coming soon! this is the Living Room Quilt Pattern which is a part of the Sewn Home Series.
5: Follow the Pattern
Sometimes I just take my quilting from the pattern. I follow the angles and lines of the actual piecing in the quilt top. This is definitely the most time consuming, but it has the neatest effect! This option allows you to really accent the piecing on the quilt. I love this option if I have the time.
Now the other important piece of the puzzle is to make sure you have all the right supplies. I use quilting gloves, a Hera marker, quilting ruler and of course my walking foot. It's important to use a walking foot that has a guide going in both directions. This will make your quilting as easy as possible!
If you try one of these options out let me see! Tag me on Instagram @sewnhandmade
Check out these other tutorials you might enjoy:
Curved Quiltling
Sewing With Curves
Making Half-Square Triangles
I love the modern quilt designs, but have never made one. Thank you for sharing these technic. I’m visiting the quilt museum in Paduca, KY tomorrow. A gift from my husband of 53 years.