Quilt in a Day Forums

Is it just me, or has anyone else found the Lover's Knot a tough quilt to make?

The QIAD directions are *great*, as usual, but there is something about the pattern that my brain has difficulty processing. Maybe it's the fact that the blocks are sort of hidden in the overall pattern and not very distinct? It's as if I look at it and part of my brain goes on the fritz and can't clearly process what I am seeing.

If I may kvetch some more...I am sorry I committed to machine quilting this one...wish I had tied it! The flannel back has been a bear to get through the machine. Next flannel back I do, I will tie instead. I think it's a combination of the added weight, an older machine, a less than ideal machine set-up, and my near-novice machine quilting skills.

Ah well...live and learn!

I can't help you with the pattern, but I have quilted with a flannel backing. I've found that using 505 spray really helps to keep it from shifting. I do know that a regular sewing machine is difficult to quilt on because the quilt gets hung up on various things like the pressor foot lever. A good inexpensive machine for quilting is a Juki. I got mine on sale a while back for $700. It is a very basic machine. Doesn't even have zigzag stitching. It's all mechanical and has to be oiled. But it has a 9 1/" throat space and the quilt doesn't get caught on anything. Pressor foot lever out of the way and thread spools on top of the machine. I had one quilt that kept getting caught up in the thread on the back of my old machine. I would quilt a few inches and then readjust everything! You can check Craig's list for your area. Others will chime in with good quilting machines. Another good use for mine was patching my son's jeans for him - no problem with the thickness. I know that a couple of other companies make the basic quilting machine for home use. I wish I could afford one of the bigger machines, but can't justify the cost, let alone find the room for it!

CaroleJ - Have you tried using a Super Slider? I really have no business making any suggestions to anyone about machine quilting, as I am really BAD at it, but I did find that the Super Slider helps with moving the quilt if you are doing free motion. There is another product, too, that I think is bigger than the SS, but I don't remember the name. Someone can probably come up with it.

I did my LK tablerunner just stitch-in-the-ditch, and haven't tried quilting the lap size I made at camp yet.

When I did my first LK, I cleared the dining room floor and laid it out. then it made sense and came together for me. I think you are letting it overwhelm you. Just take one step at a time and maybe it won't intimidate you. Sure hope it comes together for you.

Got the MQing all done yesterday, and got the binding strips sewn on to the front side.....

WHEW! Never felt such relief at being near-done before! No more machine quilting flannel backs until I have a different machine and a lot more skill...that was just a bear!

My consolation is that it's really cute and very snuggly with the flannel.

*Smile*

*CJ* I have the same trouble with the LK pattern. I can't 'see' what to put where. I guess the trick is just to choose your colors and from there on to just follow El's directions step by step. I am SO glad the old pattern got replaced with this new one. I Love the pattern and the book but my brain just can't follow the concept. I'm allready severe dyslexic as it is.

*T*

Susanna, yeah, I don't know what it is exactly about the Lover's Knot! The directions were great...didn't have any trouble until it came time to do the machine quilting. I had a very tough time with the "continuous" quilting, going down one seam, turning, and going up the next....Next time I machine quilt a Lover's Knot, I'll have to re-think my strategy!

I had problems with the Summer Porch as well; maybe it's the diagonal lines that my brain can't process?

I had no troubel at all infact I found it to be very easy I made 1 for my DS and His FW for an xmas gift and it came out quite nice her directions are the best.


Lois