Friday, October 21, 2016

Quilting with my walking foot

Machine quilting. It's been my goal, working to finish the UFO's that have piled up. So the question is... how to quilt them?

Over the years I have tried my hand at free motion quilting. Every time I get a little bit of control and ease in the quilting, I find that there is a huge break in time. I lose the momentum, and the next time I sit down at the sewing machine, my quilting looks like a disaster.

Taking the time to practice, practice, practice has brought a sense of frustration. So in light of completing the quilt, I purposed to do straight stitching with my walking foot.

Case in point... I started quilting straight lines through the body of this quilt.


Crossing over to make an X over the white blocks.
But I can also fancy up the quilting a bit, just by adding curves and arcs.



All done with my walking foot.
 
I machine quilted straight vertical lines on this last quilt. 

But then I felt I needed to do something more. So here is what I did.

Starting at one point, I spotted down two rows. Went back to the top and crossed over, again spotting two rows down.

I love the way it turned out.

My quilts are not going to win any prizes, but they are what I love to do. Using geometric designs works for me. Better to be finished than perfect :-)

Happy Quilting!

23 comments:

Sandra said...

I think you are doing a great job on finishing up those quilts. What a thrill to have a quilt ready to use and enjoy. I too tell myself I am not out to win any awards. I just want to enjoy the making of my quilts.

Bernideen said...

Your quilts are so lovely! I only made one back in the 70's out of my maternity clothes I had sewn. Unfortunately, they were bright polyester colors back in those days. I sold it at a yard sale!

Summer Killebrew said...

What a great idea! I love the detail you're adding to your quilts, and I never think about using my walking foot beyond basic straight lines. Great job!

Salmagundi said...

I'm with you -- free motion quilting is not for me; so, I'm been working on just using my walking foot. I've been trying to come up with a few designs that fill the space, and that work with my level of expertise. Enjoyed what you have done on these quilts. Sally

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I haven't caught on with FMQ yet, either, and do all my quilting with my walking foot. I really enjoyed seeing the close-ups of your quiilting and you gave me some ideas for things I haven't tried yet!

Danette said...

You're a girl after my own heart. I do the same thing. I cannot practice fmq so I want my quilt finished. I love my walking foot. Very nice quilt (and post)!

Tami Von Zalez said...

I haven't attempted curves with my walking foot but I am sure it is in my future. I prefer the walking foot and the sort of clunk clunk sound that it makes. FMQ provides some wonderful stitches but it always makes me a little nervous, I have to pay such close attention.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Very nice. I don't really do good even straight line quilting with my walking foot, but, I keep trying.

GranthamLynn said...

I don't quilt for prizes either. And that is o.k. yours are delightful!
I love the x you did between rows. Very good idea!

margaret said...

great quilting you have done here, I`vnot tried curves with my walking foot must have a play. Liking the crosses you have used on the white spot on

Catskill Quilter said...

Your quilting is wonderful! I have used inexpensive contact paper (any design that will show up against your quilt's fabrics) to cut out simple designs. Stitck them onto the quilt, quilt around the shapes, and then pull off the "pattern" and adhere it to the contact paper backing so that you can use it again and again. I tried this with different sizes of circles and it worked well.

Motherdragon's Musings said...

I love what you have with your walking foot. The arc looks fantastic; I hope I can gain enough confidence to give them a try on my next quilt. Thank you for sharing what can be accomplished with a walking foot.

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

A girl after my own heart! My walking foot is my best friend. =) Isn't it rewarding quilting your own quilts? I encourage the ladies that come into the shop to give it a try.

Marla aka YaYa said...

You are a great inspiration. Thanks for your great post. I'll try adding a few embellishments to my next walking foot quilting.

Jen said...

Finding something you love is a wonderful thing. Also, in life to finish something you are proud of is priceless. I feel this way about quilting as well. Thanks for sharing your lovely post.

Joy said...

I need to get a walking foot! Thanks for the tips, I really like your last quilt, fun colors and prints.

Janice Holton said...

There is a lot to be said about being pleased with what you have made regardless of whether it would be a prize winner or not. I don't know if I'll ever enter a quilt in a contest or not, but I sure have enjoyed learning this craft! And REALLY enjoy watching others enjoy their creations too! Keep up the good work!

Jan @Cocoa Quilts said...

That is me to a tee. I've only been doing straight line quilting. I like the way it looks on the quilts I've been doing, so why mess with a good thing.

I need to practice FMQ and then practice some more to get comfortable. But in the mean time, I'm with you straight line all the way.

Run 'n Stitch said...

I'm with you! My walking foot is my best friend. All of my attempts to do free motion have failed-except stippling. Have you noticed a lot of quilts have straight line quilting these days. I like the look. I love your yummy, retro quilts.

suemac said...

I too am more comfortable with my walking foot. My Juki 2010 makes short work of my UFO's.

claudia said...

I like your quilts. I think quilts don't need to win prizes, they just need to be cuddly and warm!

Miaismine said...

Thank you for sharing your quilting! I so admire those who can quilt quilts! I quilt smaller items, but eeesh! an entire quilt? Your work is so pretty! I'm amazed at the detail! Great job! I admire your abilities! Thank you so much for sharing!

KatieQ said...

Thanks for sharing your Walking Foot quilting. I find that FMQ makes me tense. Between keeping my stitches even and an aching body from moving the quilt around, I find myself dreading, rather than enjoying finishing my quilts. There are a lot of quilts with straight line quilting getting awards these days. Your quilts look great. Who's to say there isn't an award in your future?