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Quilting the Quilt Top ( page 2 )
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Free motion machine quilting is a challenging technique to master and one I love. Machine quilting reduces time to finish a piece, allows for all quilting motifs, is beautiful when sewn well, and creates a sturdy quilt. I believe if our ancestors were able to use this technique, most antique quilts would have been done on the machine. Hand quilting is also a wonderful relaxing process but it takes considerably longer and there are quilts tapping my mind, impatiently waiting their turn. |
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The quilting thread is 100% cotton and the colors vary with the piece. The backing fabric is considered when choosing threads. If only one fabric is used on the back than a whole cloth look is created. With whole cloth you are only aware of the quilting creating light and shadow. Sometimes the front of the top is full of color and patterns and you miss the all over quilting which can be appreciated from the back.
Different quilt battings will create different looks on the quilt top. I use 100% cotton batting unless I want a puffy look and this requires some polyester. Trapunto requires extra batting and I use both cotton and polyester.
Crazy Patch, on the left, shows trapunto quilt. The feathers have extra batting and give them a round curvacious look. |
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The lion on the left is an example of both machine and hand quilting.
Quilting always has been my favorite part of the process. It is through the quilting, the process becomes more than just stitching. This is the time I connect to spirit and think about my life for understanding and connection. Anyone who has ever spent long hours quilting (or drawing, painting, writing poetry, listening to music, etc.) knows this quiet, centered spot, where for me colors and shadows mesmerize, connecting my spirit to the cloth.
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