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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Progress on the Prism

I started machine quilting my prism quilt today. This is a first for me, so I am a bit excited. I used my wonderful table from Joann's that expands to 3'x5'. It is the perfect height to work at without straining the back. I taped wooden skewers to the table to mark the centers of each side. This is an idea I have read about in the past. As you put layers down you can no longer see marks. Using the skewers allows you to feel where the center line is.
I secured my layers by using large binder clips. I was surprised at how sore my hands were after clipping and reclipping after adding each layer.

After layering the backing, batting, and top, I began pinning. I started by putting one pin in the center of each triangle, but added more so that I had a pin near each point of the triangles.
I rearranged my sewing space to give the most support possible to the quilt as I worked. I have two portable tables. I used one to push the quilt onto as I sewed and I put the other on my left side to support the rest of the quilt as I worked.
Since this is my first experience with machine quilting, I am learning how to deal with the bulk of the quilt. This is certainly not a fast process. I have made quite a few horizontal lines of quilting with several more to go. I plan to also quilt the diagonal lines.

Another new experience for me is using a walking foot. I bought this sewing machine last September to replace my over 40-year-old machine. That machine was very basic, even when it was new. I now have this wonderful electronic machine. I also purchased a walking foot to use with the new machine. What a wonderful experience that is! I never had anything like that with the old machine. Do any of you use the walking foot for piecing too? It seems to me that I would really like that. I may do it even if it is unorthodox.

Thanks for stopping by.

2 comments:

Cherie said...

Great idea with the table and the clips. Seeing your quilt I think I may need to add more pins to mine. =D

Shan said...

I can't wait to see it finished. I am sure that it will be awesome.