Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Quilting Without a Frame

Perhaps I should title this post "Quilting Heresies."

Yes, you can quilt without a frame, and even without a hoop. I never use either. Instead, I lay out my backing, my batting, and then my quilt top on the floor and get them lined up just right. Then I baste, baste, baste, either with giant stitches or with a million safety pins, securing the three layers together every six inches at most.

The quilt is secure at this point.

Then I just hold it in my lap and do the quilting! In fact, I find it much easier to do tiny running stitches without the fabric stretched taut in a hoop or frame. I enjoy being able to move it up and down around my needle.

Also heretically, I don't use a thimble.

12 comments:

G.L.H. said...

I wouldn't say it is heretical not to use a thimble. I didn't think I could get the hang of one, either...but the holes in my finger kinda talked me into it.

Thanks for sharing your "style." It's all good, that gets such a fabulous result!

Jenny said...

I never use a thimble either and I often don't use a hoop or frame. Another heretic I'm afraid.

Tracy said...

I'm a heretic as well. NEVER a thimble, and only sometimes a hoop or a frame.

Mrs. MK said...

Rules that are made to be broken, yes?

In art, there's no one right way.

I am trying desparately hard to learn to sew clothing ( I've done other sewing for years)just so I can make a vintage housedress like yours. Any tips on that?

Charity Grace said...

I can't speak for anyone else, but I've had to break free of the idea that if I can't do it "right" (the way the experts say it's supposed to be done) I can't do it. Now I try to ask myself, "What do I have in my hand?" and make my crafting work with what I have, rather than waiting till I have all the right supplies/skills/whatever. This is a great example. I haven't quilted in years because (among other reasons) I haven't had a frame...But it's good to know I don't have to wait for one.

Proverbs3122 said...

I guess I'm only have a heretic! I don't use a frame or hoop but I DO use a thimble, although not a traditional type thimble!

Lisa said...

Thanks for sharing your tips. I would think it is a great help not to have a tight quilt to make those tiny stitches through.

My daughter is going to work on a doll quilt this summer. We will baste it. Maybe I'll be bold and move up a size after that. :-)

Mary said...

I’m able to get my stitches so much smaller without using a hoop. Glad to see you have such good results without using one.
Very inspiring.

Can't do without a thimble though.

Diane said...

I put the quilt so loosely in the hoop it's almost as if it's not in one (but it is much easier to find the needle and my stopping place!)

The stitches are much small if you can manipulate the quilt a bit more. I love the quilt - and what a joy to have something that spans the generations!

Lynne said...

This comment was printed years ago, but you saved me in 2016! Haven't quilted in 30 years and even then I made it up as I went along. The clue to put the quilt on the floor and baste was just what I needed to hear!

Anonymous said...

Thank you. You've given me hope that I can still quilt as I'm bed bound.

Sunedaz53 said...

Thank you!!! My guilt and self doubt is gone! I love hand quilting and my stitches are smaller and more uniform without the hoop. I too will baste baste baste!

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