How do you balance Piecing and Quilting?

[Quilter7]

I love piecing quilts and so I have a stack of quilts waiting to be quilted. A few of them I have pin basted together and even started machine quilting. I enjoy machine quilting because I see the quilt really becoming a quilt. I love piecing quilts though and spend my time piecing rather than machine quilting. I do some hand quilting as well, but that I do in front of the TV. I have also sent quilts out to a Long Arm quilter, but cannot do that for every quilt I make, because it is expensive. What do you do to balance your time between machine quilting and piecing?

[sewbug]

I started making my quilt tops in sections. It's easier and faster to machine quilt a section than the whole thing. I find I get more finished that way. I have a quilt in a frame to hand quilt when I feel like doing that. I'm not telling how long the quilt has been in that frame! LOL. I really like the quilt as you go method for big block quilts. I know my most fun favorite part of the quilt process is picking a pattern and buying the fabric for it.

[Joannequilts]

Almost all of the quilts I make are gifts so there is a "built-in" deadline (usually Christmas or a shower or baby gift). Alot are seasonal, so they need to be done by that upcoming holiday. This keeps me on track and on a deadline--otherwise it would be YEARS to finish!
I'm working on getting all the Gkids and Kids a quilt. But I ALWAYS schedule it for Christmas and I always tell the child it's their "turn" for a quilt (that keeps me focused!).

Since joining this forum I have grown to enjoy working on several projects at once--which is much more fun! Mostly I just do whatever I feel like doing at the time...unless I have started to machine quilt a quilt...then I have to finish that before I sew anything else, simply because I HATE to remove the thread and walking foot!! lol!

Joanne:0)

[Suzquilts]

My quilts usually start out being something I want to do and then turn into gifts for someone so I normally don't have a time frame per se. I always have a hand piecing project going at the same time to give me a sitting at the machine break but I'm kinda anal about getting the top pieced then basted then quilted so it can be done and then ooohed and aaaahed over LOL

Suz

[calicopuzzle]

I just have some personal rules of not starting another BIG project until I have finished the last one. I also like all of the steps, so that isn't a problem.

[Georgiapeach]

I like to piece several quilt tops and then quilt them. Reason being, it's nice to have everything set up for the machine quilting and it seems that half-way thru the first quilt I start really getting warmed up and "into it" so the quilting starts getting better and better, so I like to have several lined up to quilt while I'm on a roll with it! LOL! I seem to do better when I don't have to switch gears.

[Quilter7]

Pam - Thanks! I decided this weekend to just machine quilt, so I wouldn't make such a mess everywhere else. LOL (I cut fabric in the kitchen for lack of a cutting table.) It seems to be working. I am halfway through a Double Irish Chain now that had been sitting for a year.

[piecemaker1]

Quilter7,
Let me know how you progress. I am just like you. I love to do the piecing, and I have many, MANY UFO's. When I quilt with my sis in law and cousin, they are quick, and have it all done before I even finish piecing the top. So on to the next project Anyway, I like Pam's idea of making time to just machine quilt. The only part I really dread is doing the sandwiching and pin baste. It just seems to be such a big job to me.

Post some pictures when you are done. We would all like to see!

[Susie]

piecemaker1....
Have you ever tried the 505 basting spray????? I will never pin another top!
Susie

[zfatcat]

I always have a some tops on hand to be quilted. But once I start quilting, I usually do 2 or 3. Really just depends on my mood. I do want to set one up for hand quilting. I really enjoy hand quilting. It just takes so darn long. Lori