I have been searching and searching for a video like this, one that shows the actual sewing on a domestic machine and how to manage the bulk of the quilt when doing so, THANK YOU, MUCH NEEDED TUTORIAL!
Thank you for this video. The other tutorials I've watched demonstrate quilting a very small quilt sandwich -- not realistic. It's so useful to see a large quilt demonstrated -- and your helpful comments as you move along. Excellent tutorial.
Yep! I know exactly what you mean. I've taught two workshops on quilting big quilts - quilting a king and quilting a very big throw with minky fabric on the back (which made it super heavy) - you can find them both on my website here: leahday.com/collections/workshops
Leah, I hope you see this, I have pieced an almost queen size log cabin quilt. It is beautiful, to me. I made it and now I have to quilt it 😑 Thanks for your help with this particular video. I am going to try the walking foot.
Ooh I like when she mentions washing will hide the thread! I'm practicing for a larger quilt and have been wondering about that. It's always reassuring to hear a Pro say "you probably don't suck at this, press on!" (paraphrased)
hi Leah, I can relate to the suddenly stitch changes. I have a Husqvarna Designer, a machine with a large touch screen. So when quilt wrestling, many a straight stitch changed into something else... Then I found out that I could lock my touch screen. Now quilt wrestling is fun. Check your machine manual. Hope this tip helps.
I press my seams open, also. It makes for a flatter quilt. I stabilize it with a decorative stitch, which locks down both sides at the same time. Just a FYI!!
Thanks for the video! I think I'm going to combine spray basting with pinning since I don't have enough pinmoors. I found a recipe for homemade spray baste since I agree with you , I don't like the chemical sprays.
Hi Leah, i love your clip... Especially the way you explain how to do things and the different way's how you can do it. Can i ask, wich pins, with a cap (protection..!) do you use .. ?? I can't find them anywhere. Only the yellow flower cap with "open pin" (if that make sence. 😉) And the way you are slowly stiching is beautiful, but definitely a new challenge for me...😂😂 I need to get more in the "yoga" when i busy on the machine. Thanks for the answer in advance..🌸😊 Tink 🌸🤗 from the Netherlands
The first pieced top I made was squares for a small wall hanging picture. I was taught to always press seams to one side and never open. However, no one talked about lowering stitch length if you press seams open. I can’t wait to try that. But now to quilt this wall hanging how do you stitch in the ditch when the ditch has one high side and one lower side of the ditch?
I go into detail about pressing seams open in this podcast episode: freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-great-pressing-seams-debate-podcast.html The best bet for seams pressed to one side is to stitch along the lower lying side of the fabric. Or you could Echo Ditch and stitch a set distance away from the seams. That works great too!
MGS I took a Craftsy class and the instructor says she doesn’t believe there is a wrong or right answer and that her preference is to stitch on the low side with a top stitch 90 or 100 needle
I had a “discussion” with a fellow quilter about the controversial seams and she basically told me my quilts will not hold up over time if I stitch in the ditch with open seams. I told her well Leah Day does it so I do it now lol.
LOL! Yeah, you can run into some very strong opinions on these topics! Best to remember there's no right or wrong way, and ultimately we won't be around to see how things pan out. Maybe in 100 years our future generations will have this better sorted. But then they will probably be arguing whether 3-D printed quilts count as quilts! LOL! There will always be something!
Now I'm so anxious to finish my block piecing. Now I have to think about what color thread I will use. Is there such a thing as variegated rainbow thread? I'm actually not asking you I'm thinking aloud about looking for it. Your quilt is beautiful by the way.
LOL! I'm sure there is, but it will likely never be the right color at the right time. I would suggest a medium gray or yellow after quilting this myself. White just stood out a bit too much, even for me.
thanks. I've been thinking and obsessing a little bit about what color to use after hearing what you said about the white. Thank you for the color suggestions.
Hi Leah, love all your tutorials on quilting. They have been so very helpful. My question is what thread weight do you use for stitching in the ditch? I have been using a light gray aurifil 40 weight. Would a 50 be better?
I like 50 weight better because it's thinner and I have tons of it for piecing. But that doesn't make it better or worst for stitching in the ditch. Use what you have on hand!
I don't really have a good answer for this Deb. I like a smaller stitch because it's more secure, but it definitely doesn't look hand quilted. Just test and experiment and see what works and looks best to you.
Hi Leah, So you start right in the center and stitch to the edge then rotate the quilt and start in the middle from where you originally started and go the opposite direction? I've had so much trouble with bunching up when quilting. Thank you!
Thanks! I've seen so many videos on it and its explained different ways. Some go all the way around the borders first others go all horizontal seams and then do the vertical ones. Your technique makes the most sense to me, I look forward to trying it.. and you actually show the good size quilt too...
I noticed that you use these types of pins...... Are they easier to use than the clip pins?? Where do u buy them??? I don't ever remember seeing them?? Thank u.
Theresa, I have arthritic hands and find the flat pins and silicone tips so much easier to put and remove than having to fasten and unfasten safety pins. The pinmoors are a bit pricy but worth it, some I know cut up insulation foam tubes (much cheaper) but they do not hold the pins nearly as well.
If you had to rip out your stitch in a ditch, how could tell the stitches apart? Also what are those knobby things I on your pins and can I buy them? Love your tutorials!
Great question Patricia! I find it pretty obvious which line of stitching is the stitching in the ditch because really it's the only stitching that should be visible on the surface of the quilt. If you have to, pick out your stitches instead of ripping just to be sure. The knobby things are Pinmoors! They're great for basting your quilt securely and they're super easy to remove. You can find them here: leahday.com/products/pinmoors-100-pin-anchors
If you're quilting on a home machine and that machine is on a table or in a table (stationary), you really should quilt from the center to the outer edges. This allows any extra fabric the ability to shift outwards as you quilt and secure the layers from the center-out.
When i try to stitch in the ditch it gets the material to move up and bubbly between the seams, i have been quilting since 2004 and just do free motion but i think stick in the ditch would be pretty at times. When i stitch in the ditch it looks like a new bee did it. Am i not taking my time. I watch your series daily but I'm having such a hard time. Frustrating
The key is practice. You can free motion quilt in the ditch, but it takes time and yes, it will be ugly. Keep going. Do this on charity quilts. Don't rip, just quilt and eventually you will be able to quilt in the ditch in free motion just as fast and easily as you do all the other designs you enjoy quilting.
I am new to quilting and certain tools baffel me, maybe someone has asked and you answered before, but I would like to ask again. Could you tell me what sort of pins are they and what are those ends, I get get scratched alot with bare pins Please
Hazel Giles They are called Pinmoors. Leah sells them. They cover the sharp points of the pins that stick out so you're not getting jabbed with all the pins while you're sewing or quilting.
Yep! Pinmoors make it so easy to baste your quilt and they're much easier to remove as you quilt. Check them out here: leahday.com/products/pinmoors-100-pin-anchors
The light on this machine is broken. The point of this video is to show how I'm holding and guiding the quilt so you need to see my hand movements, not what the needle is doing. The needle is stitching in the ditch - right in the seamline between the blocks.
I have been searching and searching for a video like this, one that shows the actual sewing on a domestic machine and how to manage the bulk of the quilt when doing so, THANK YOU, MUCH NEEDED TUTORIAL!
Your explanations are so complete and helpful. Thank you.
Thank you for this video. The other tutorials I've watched demonstrate quilting a very small quilt sandwich -- not realistic. It's so useful to see a large quilt demonstrated -- and your helpful comments as you move along. Excellent tutorial.
Yep! I know exactly what you mean. I've taught two workshops on quilting big quilts - quilting a king and quilting a very big throw with minky fabric on the back (which made it super heavy) - you can find them both on my website here: leahday.com/collections/workshops
You have give me HOPE with this video!! Thank You!!
Yay! Give it a try - that is the whole point!
Leah, I hope you see this, I have pieced an almost queen size log cabin quilt. It is beautiful, to me. I made it and now I have to quilt it 😑 Thanks for your help with this particular video. I am going to try the walking foot.
That's great Laura! I'm so happy to hear this video helped you. Enjoy!
Reinforcing a lot of information for me. Thank you, Leah
You're very welcome!
Ooh I like when she mentions washing will hide the thread! I'm practicing for a larger quilt and have been wondering about that. It's always reassuring to hear a Pro say "you probably don't suck at this, press on!" (paraphrased)
Hey, I've been raising my presser foot when I bring up my bobbin thread-- I'm going to try it the way Leah did-- maybe I'll get less "wild stitches".
Thank you so much for showing this ....so helpful!
Awesome!
hi Leah, I can relate to the suddenly stitch changes. I have a Husqvarna Designer, a machine with a large touch screen. So when quilt wrestling, many a straight stitch changed into something else... Then I found out that I could lock my touch screen. Now quilt wrestling is fun. Check your machine manual. Hope this tip helps.
LOL! That's a great suggestion. I'll check and see if I can lock the buttons on this machine!
I press my seams open, also. It makes for a flatter quilt. I stabilize it with a decorative stitch, which locks down both sides at the same time. Just a FYI!!
That's a great suggestion! I'll have to give that a try!
Thank you so much Leah!
Thank you for watching Rosa!
Thanks for the video! I think I'm going to combine spray basting with pinning since I don't have enough pinmoors. I found a recipe for homemade spray baste since I agree with you , I don't like the chemical sprays.
Dawn Mason thanks, great suggestions.
That sounds like a plan! Just make sure the backing is pulled flat and tight so there are no wrinkles before layering the rest of your quilt on top.
Hi Leah, i love your clip... Especially the way you explain how to do things and the different way's how you can do it.
Can i ask, wich pins, with a cap (protection..!) do you use .. ??
I can't find them anywhere. Only the yellow flower cap with "open pin" (if that make sence. 😉)
And the way you are slowly stiching is beautiful, but definitely a new challenge for me...😂😂 I need to get more in the "yoga" when i busy on the machine.
Thanks for the answer in advance..🌸😊
Tink 🌸🤗 from the Netherlands
Unfortunately this pinning device is no longer available. Sorry!
I used invisible thread on top for stitch in the ditch, but the regular quilting thread in the bobbin.
Thank you for sharing Brit!
The first pieced top I made was squares for a small wall hanging picture. I was taught to always press seams to one side and never open. However, no one talked about lowering stitch length if you press seams open. I can’t wait to try that. But now to quilt this wall hanging how do you stitch in the ditch when the ditch has one high side and one lower side of the ditch?
I go into detail about pressing seams open in this podcast episode: freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-great-pressing-seams-debate-podcast.html
The best bet for seams pressed to one side is to stitch along the lower lying side of the fabric. Or you could Echo Ditch and stitch a set distance away from the seams. That works great too!
MGS I took a Craftsy class and the instructor says she doesn’t believe there is a wrong or right answer and that her preference is to stitch on the low side with a top stitch 90 or 100 needle
Thank you.
Thank you for watching Deb!
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for watching!
I had a “discussion” with a fellow quilter about the controversial seams and she basically told me my quilts will not hold up over time if I stitch in the ditch with open seams. I told her well Leah Day does it so I do it now lol.
LOL! Yeah, you can run into some very strong opinions on these topics! Best to remember there's no right or wrong way, and ultimately we won't be around to see how things pan out. Maybe in 100 years our future generations will have this better sorted. But then they will probably be arguing whether 3-D printed quilts count as quilts! LOL! There will always be something!
Now I'm so anxious to finish my block piecing. Now I have to think about what color thread I will use. Is there such a thing as variegated rainbow thread? I'm actually not asking you I'm thinking aloud about looking for it. Your quilt is beautiful by the way.
LOL! I'm sure there is, but it will likely never be the right color at the right time. I would suggest a medium gray or yellow after quilting this myself. White just stood out a bit too much, even for me.
thanks. I've been thinking and obsessing a little bit about what color to use after hearing what you said about the white. Thank you for the color suggestions.
Hi Leah, love all your tutorials on quilting. They have been so very helpful. My question is what thread weight do you use for stitching in the ditch? I have been using a light gray aurifil 40 weight. Would a 50 be better?
I like 50 weight better because it's thinner and I have tons of it for piecing. But that doesn't make it better or worst for stitching in the ditch. Use what you have on hand!
Thanks Leah. I have noticed that my thread shows on stitching in the ditch, so more than likely it is my technique.
Hi Leah, what length stitch do you use? The quilt looks great. Great tutorials. Thank you.
I have my stitch length set to 1.5 mm. Unless there's weird fabric on the back, that's my go-to stitch length!
Hi Leah what stitch length do you use for stitching in the ditch to make it look more hand quilted?i have the Janome 7700.
I don't really have a good answer for this Deb. I like a smaller stitch because it's more secure, but it definitely doesn't look hand quilted. Just test and experiment and see what works and looks best to you.
👍❤️😊
Hi Leah, So you start right in the center and stitch to the edge then rotate the quilt and start in the middle from where you originally started and go the opposite direction? I've had so much trouble with bunching up when quilting. Thank you!
Yes, that's correct!
Thanks! I've seen so many videos on it and its explained different ways. Some go all the way around the borders first others go all horizontal seams and then do the vertical ones. Your technique makes the most sense to me, I look forward to trying it.. and you actually show the good size quilt too...
I noticed that you use these types of pins...... Are they easier to use than the clip pins?? Where do u buy them??? I don't ever remember seeing them?? Thank u.
Soo sorry pins are below the video..oops
No problem! You can find them right here: leahday.com/products/pinmoors-100-pin-anchors
Theresa, I have arthritic hands and find the flat pins and silicone tips so much easier to put and remove than having to fasten and unfasten safety pins. The pinmoors are a bit pricy but worth it, some I know cut up insulation foam tubes (much cheaper) but they do not hold the pins nearly as well.
If you had to rip out your stitch in a ditch, how could tell the stitches apart? Also what are those knobby things I on your pins and can I buy them?
Love your tutorials!
Click On Show More below the video!
Great question Patricia! I find it pretty obvious which line of stitching is the stitching in the ditch because really it's the only stitching that should be visible on the surface of the quilt. If you have to, pick out your stitches instead of ripping just to be sure. The knobby things are Pinmoors! They're great for basting your quilt securely and they're super easy to remove. You can find them here: leahday.com/products/pinmoors-100-pin-anchors
For a baby quilt, could you just quilt edge to edge instead of starting quilting in the middle and working out to the edge?
If you're quilting on a home machine and that machine is on a table or in a table (stationary), you really should quilt from the center to the outer edges. This allows any extra fabric the ability to shift outwards as you quilt and secure the layers from the center-out.
great
Thank you!
When you start in the middle to quilt, it's called "quilt wrestling"!!
LOL! We should make it a sport and see if we can get into the Olympics!
Don't give me ideas...I might just fill out a request for the Olympics to consider it!
What is the stitch length for stitch in the ditch? Also 1.5?
Yep! I generally always have the length set at 1.5 mm for walking foot quilting unless there's minky fabric on the back, then it's 2.5 mm.
When i try to stitch in the ditch it gets the material to move up and bubbly between the seams, i have been quilting since 2004 and just do free motion but i think stick in the ditch would be pretty at times. When i stitch in the ditch it looks like a new bee did it. Am i not taking my time. I watch your series daily but I'm having such a hard time. Frustrating
The key is practice. You can free motion quilt in the ditch, but it takes time and yes, it will be ugly. Keep going. Do this on charity quilts. Don't rip, just quilt and eventually you will be able to quilt in the ditch in free motion just as fast and easily as you do all the other designs you enjoy quilting.
I am new to quilting and certain tools baffel me, maybe someone has asked and you answered before, but I would like to ask again. Could you tell me what sort of pins are they and what are those ends, I get get scratched alot with bare pins
Please
Click on Show More, it is below video!
They are Pinmoors! You can find them right here: leahday.com/products/pinmoors-100-pin-anchors
Thank you for a quick reply
Thank you for all the kind replies big thanks
What are the white bits showing on your quilt
Hazel Giles They are called Pinmoors. Leah sells them. They cover the sharp points of the pins that stick out so you're not getting jabbed with all the pins while you're sewing or quilting.
Yep! Pinmoors make it so easy to baste your quilt and they're much easier to remove as you quilt. Check them out here: leahday.com/products/pinmoors-100-pin-anchors
Why is she sewing without the sewing machine light on? Camera is too far away from her sewing. I can't see anything. What or where she is stitching.
The light on this machine is broken. The point of this video is to show how I'm holding and guiding the quilt so you need to see my hand movements, not what the needle is doing. The needle is stitching in the ditch - right in the seamline between the blocks.
Thank you
Thank you for watching!