Quilting question

**Romans1212** · August 15th, 2009

I'm working on a tee shirt quilt for a lady. The back and frount are squares of many different colors. What color is best to quilt it together with as you will see it whatever color you use on the back or the frount as you go across the other colors?

**motoandnutty** · August 15th, 2009

Originally Posted by Romans1212

I'm working on a tee shirt quilt for a lady. The back and frount are squares of many different colors. What color is best to quilt it together with as you will see it whatever color you use on the back or the frount as you go across the other colors?

Make it bold - as a feature. Have you thought about using variegated thread? If you find one variegated combination is not enough, how about changing spools every little while to get a real 'harlequin' array? (I'm afraid that that would need you to keep changing bobbins as well though).
Is it made of tee shirts on both sides? so that it is reversible?
Were you planning to quilt 'in the ditch'? or with an over all pattern?

**motoandnutty** · August 15th, 2009

Another thought would be to use a strong color that doesn't feature in any of the squares - that way the stitches would be uniformly visible.

**Romans1212** · August 15th, 2009

Well, the squares are on both sides as that is what the lady wanted, but the ones on the back have mostly solid colors ranging from black, blue, lots of white.. grey, pink, lavander. I have a lavender and purple watercolor sort of floral print for the sashing and border. Its a queen size one with 12 1/2 " squares , 7 rows across and up and down, with 1 1/2 " sashing.
I am going to stitch in the ditch at first which will be a little hard to line up them on both sides. I was going to use quilt safety pins to hold it together, which is a first to me .I use to sew long running stitches up and down the quilt to hold it together before. I have only done about 8 quilts over the years and none for at least 10 years. I mostly sew clothes.
After the stitching in the ditch, I was unsure. I'd kind of like to do a meandering stitch on my Ellegio3, but I'm a little afraid I'll mess it up, but I know I need more to hold it together then the stitching around the squares.I thought of stitching aroung the designs on each square also, but don't know if it will look funny, and I don't know if I can use a walking foot to go around the designs (never used it before) or if it will only sew straight.
Also, what ever thread I use on the top, the bottom will be a different color and constantly changing as I go. There is a "theme " of lavenders and purple but there are many other colors too.

Also, do I use quilting thread to quilt it, or regular?Lots of questions. I hope it comes right. Shes paying me for it. She said I can't mess it up, but I bet I can !!

**Romans1212** · August 15th, 2009

Do they sell varigated quilting thread or just use regular thread? If it was just for me, I could just do what I like, but I don't know what she'll like. When I would ask her questions she'd say, she wasn't fussy and she doesn't know sewing(she's a therapist) so use my own judgement. Thats a little scary.

**sharong** · August 15th, 2009

they say quilt using whatever color you need for the background. I love to use varigated threads on my projects, it available for quilting on machine and by hand

**motoandnutty** · August 15th, 2009

Have you already done the stitching together of the squares and batting? If not you might take a look at these instructions for 'quilt as you go' which makes everything so much more manageable if you don't have the luxury of a quilting frame.
http://www.secretsof.com/content/624
If you make it block by block you have the option of using your embroidery machine to do the quilting pattern, either a stipple design or maybe a simple red work pattern.
I can understand how nervous you must be, as getting too few instructions from a customer is just about as bad as getting too many!
It seems that she has faith in you, so perhaps you are going to have to have faith in yourself, and make it as if it was for yourself.
I wish you every luck in whatever you decide - and I'm sure she will be delighted with the result.

**Romans1212** · August 19th, 2009

motoandnutty,Thank you for the link with "quilt as you go". I always wondered how you could do that . I will probably try it sometime, but on this one I already have most of the top sewed together.
Would you recomend using quilting spray to help the layers stay together or just the quilt pins? I have used quilting spray on smaller quiltiing projests but never on a large queen size quilt. I wondered if it would be more agrevating if the layers get "glued" uneven or with wringles.

**motoandnutty** · August 19th, 2009

I think that the very nature of a teeshirt quilt is soft and comfy - so plenty of pins should really be enough.
I've never used quilting spray so cannot give an informed opinion of it, but imagine that you will not be wanting to wash the finished quilt before you pass it on. I presume that the spray would make the quilt a bit too stiff if it was not washed out.

I'm glad the link is of interest, even if it is too late for this one.