| How I load an oversize quilt on my Little Gracie II Frame |
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The quilt on the right is about 100" square. (Maximum you can load on
Little Gracie II is 98" but you can't quilt right to the edges so you can only
get about 90" quilted nicely on the frame when set up to Queen Size.)
The quilt batting is 90" wide so I will have to join more on the sides
anyway. With the method I use, I don't quilt the right and left all the way to
the border.
I have 4" borders around the outside.
In addition to the batting, you will have 4 thicknesses of fabric on the
edge with the folded backing and the folded quilt top... but in many other
places on the quilt, you have at least 4 thicknesses when you have
seams. This is not a problem as long as you are careful when
rolling/advancing the quilt. Just ensure that the borders are remaining
neatly folded and not scrunching around and distorting the shape.
Little Gracie II is 98" but you can't quilt right to the edges so you can only
get about 90" quilted nicely on the frame when set up to Queen Size.)
The quilt batting is 90" wide so I will have to join more on the sides
anyway. With the method I use, I don't quilt the right and left all the way to
the border.
I have 4" borders around the outside.
- 1. Fold the left and right edges of the quilt back in about 5" on
each side.
2. Fold the borders on the quilt top back over at the seam so it is
flat against the top.
In addition to the batting, you will have 4 thicknesses of fabric on the
edge with the folded backing and the folded quilt top... but in many other
places on the quilt, you have at least 4 thicknesses when you have
seams. This is not a problem as long as you are careful when
rolling/advancing the quilt. Just ensure that the borders are remaining
neatly folded and not scrunching around and distorting the shape.
When you have completed the main quilting through the entire
centre of the quilt, take it off the frame.
Add pieces of quilt batting to the sides. I use the "two step"
zigzag stitch that sews stitches as well as zigzags. Watch that
you don't stretch the batting.
I am smoothing and pinning the layers in place and have the top
corner folded back showing the pieced batting.
I check the backing and batting for wrinkles before loading on
the frame again.
centre of the quilt, take it off the frame.
Add pieces of quilt batting to the sides. I use the "two step"
zigzag stitch that sews stitches as well as zigzags. Watch that
you don't stretch the batting.
I am smoothing and pinning the layers in place and have the top
corner folded back showing the pieced batting.
I check the backing and batting for wrinkles before loading on
the frame again.
Pin the left hand portion on to the leader -
about 2 feet.
Load the 2 foot portion on the frame.
I pin an inch or so inside the quilt near the
edge then sew all the layers together
about 1/8 to 1/4" from the edge and then
remove the pins. I can then quilt to the
edge without running into pins.
I then quilt about 18" in from the left then
stop and remove that portion from the
leader.
about 2 feet.
Load the 2 foot portion on the frame.
I pin an inch or so inside the quilt near the
edge then sew all the layers together
about 1/8 to 1/4" from the edge and then
remove the pins. I can then quilt to the
edge without running into pins.
I then quilt about 18" in from the left then
stop and remove that portion from the
leader.
I take the quilt off the frame again and
move the leader all the way to the right
then pin the quilt on the leader again.
You can see that the leader is not long
enough to reach all the way to the left
but I have already quilted that portion.
move the leader all the way to the right
then pin the quilt on the leader again.
You can see that the leader is not long
enough to reach all the way to the left
but I have already quilted that portion.
I re-load the quilt onto the frame. The left
side has already been done and I just fold it
in about 8 or 9".
I then quilt the remaining portion.
I don't bother loading and rolling the bottom
of the quilt because the weight of the quilt
seems to keep it taunt enough.
side has already been done and I just fold it
in about 8 or 9".
I then quilt the remaining portion.
I don't bother loading and rolling the bottom
of the quilt because the weight of the quilt
seems to keep it taunt enough.
Quilted portion
unquilted portion
unquilted portion
This sample shows a quilt that I
am free-motion quilting.
am free-motion quilting.
Folded back
Folded border
Folded border
Pieced
batting
batting
Quilted about 18" from left
Unquilted
Unquilted
My leaders are made of strips of a queen size sheet.
I serged the edges, then drew a line 1/2" from the lower edge of all leaders... to help guide me pinning. I also marked the centre and every 10" on each side of
the centre. I can see at a glance if my backing and quilt top are aligned evenly.
I made 1" casings at the top and thread the "fabri-fast" tubing through the casing. I then just pin the quilt back or top on the leader and pop it on the frame.
I serged the edges, then drew a line 1/2" from the lower edge of all leaders... to help guide me pinning. I also marked the centre and every 10" on each side of
the centre. I can see at a glance if my backing and quilt top are aligned evenly.
I made 1" casings at the top and thread the "fabri-fast" tubing through the casing. I then just pin the quilt back or top on the leader and pop it on the frame.
Stitched along top of 3 layers, but not
quilted yet
quilted yet
Quilted about 18" from left
Unquilted
Unquilted
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Only quilt up to red
dotted line
dotted line
There are many ways to load a quilt on a
frame. This is just one of them. You may
find it works for you... or you may prefer
another method.
frame. This is just one of them. You may
find it works for you... or you may prefer
another method.
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Harmony Hand Dyes hand-dyed Fabric MX Procion Dye Shiva Paintstiks Tisdale SK Sask Saskatchewan Canada