How to Machine Quilt a Large Quilt: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

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A Complete Guide to Machine Quilting a Large Quilt

If you’re taking on the big project of machine quilting a large quilt, you may have a lot of questions. From choosing the right machine and supplies to quilting designs and finishing techniques, there are many factors to consider. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully machine quilt a blanket-sized quilt from start to finish.

Choosing the Right Machine

The first decision is selecting a sewing machine that can handle quilting a large quilt. From my experience, a regular home machine may struggle with the weight and bulk of a blanket-sized quilt. You’ll want a machine specifically designed for quilting with features like:

  1. A large working space – look for at least a 12” x 12” quilt frame area.
  2. Strong motor – quilting through multiple layers requires more power than regular sewing.
  3. Adjustable speed control – different quilting designs require varying stitch speeds.
  4. Free motion quilting capabilities – most large quilts are best quilted without the stress of a walking foot.

Industrial machines in the $1500-3000 range from brands like Janome, Bernina, or Babylock offer these features at consumer price points. If your budget allows, consider renting commercial arm or track-mount longarm machines through local quilt shops – they excel at large quiltwork.

Preparing the Quilt Top, Backing and Batting

Once you’ve selected a machine, it’s time to assemble your quilt sandwich. Here are some tips:

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  1. For a blanketsized quilt, I’d recommend 100% cotton fabrics in a basic quilt weight (around 43 threads per square inch).
  2. Cut backing at least 8 inches larger than the quilt top on all sides for easy maneuvering and folding under the edges.
  3. Use an 80/20 cotton/polyester batting for strength and bounce, at least 1⁄4 inch thicker than the total quilt thickness.
  4. Baste the layers with spray adhesive, thread bastings, or safety pins to keep everything aligned for quilting.

Be sure all pieces are flat and wrinkle-free before loading the quilt onto your machine. With such large fabric sizes, you want everything moving smoothly.

Choosing Quilting Designs

Big quilts allow room for creative, intricate quilting patterns. Consider designs that:

  • Add visual interest without being too dense – too many stitches may lead to puckering.
  • Go with, not against, the quilt grain to avoid stress on the fabric while sewing.
  • Coordinate with the fabric prints and piecing motifs.
  • Feature both straight line work and freeform designs for visual contrast.

Bookmark blogs featuring longarm quilting motifs for endless inspiration. From my experience, stippling, echo motifs and meandering vines translate especially well for whole quilt coverage.

Tips for Successful Free Motion Quilting

Since moving a giant quilt sandwich around while free motion quilting isn’t practical, here are tricks I’ve picked up:

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  1. Mark quilting designs on the fabric beforehand with a water-soluble marker, heat n’ bond tape, or chalk to mark the sewing path.
  2. Lower the feed dogs and use an even pressure foot made for free motion work to glide effortlessly.
  3. Go slow – it’s better to quilt a section perfectly at a walking pace than rush and have to go back over mistakes.
  4. Take breaks to avoid fatigue, which can negatively impact your quilting quality and accuracy.

Practice on scraps first, then quilt repeating motifs starting from the center and working your way outwards across the quilt. With patience comes improvement!

Finishing a Large Quilt

After hours of quilting, the finishing line is in sight. Here are the final steps:

  1. Trim excess backing and batting, then serge or zigzag stitch the raw edges.
  2. Attach a hanging sleeve securely bias-bound or with extra-wide double fold hemmed fabric.
  3. Bind the raw edges with continuous bias binding – use a 1.5 inch finished width binding for stability with a big quilt’s weight.
  4. Add a label recognizing the quilt maker and year with heat n’ bond or stitching – you’ll appreciate this memory later!

With all that work, enjoy displaying your beautifully handcrafted quilt for many seasons to come. The satisfaction of conquering a large project is amazing!

I hope this extensive guide has provided answers to any questions you may have had about quilting a king-sized or larger quilt. If any part of the process is unclear, feel free to ask. Sometimes the biggest quilts require the biggest learning curves – but the rewards are extremely fulfilling. Happy quilting!

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Machine Quilting Tips for Large Quilts

Quilt Size Recommended Machine Batting Thread Tension
Crib Size (up to 90″ x 90″) Home or Basic Machine Cotton or cotton blend Loosened slightly
Twin/Full Size (90″ x 100″) Mid-Range Machine Cotton or cotton/poly blend Normal tension
Queen Size (90″ x 108″) Heavy Duty Machine Thicker cotton/poly blend Tightened slightly
King/California King Size (108″ x 108″) Industrial Machine Thickest cotton/poly blend Tightest tension

FAQ

  1. What size quilt can I machine quilt?

    Most home sewing machines can handle quilts up to about 100 inches wide. Some longarm quilting machines can quilt much larger quilts, like king or California king size quilts that are super long! So for the average home quilter, plan to quilt tops that are around 90×90 inches or less by machine.

  2. How do I baste a large quilt top?

    You’ll want to baste the layers of your quilt sandwich together before quilting to keep everything from shifting. For big quilts, try safety pins or quilting spray adhesive rather than hand basting. Spray the back fabric and lay the batting on top, then spray again before adding the quilt top. The spray holds it neatly without lots of pinning. But is it safe to breathe that stuff? You decide!

  3. Should I mark quilting lines on a large quilt?

    On a huge quilt, it can be challenging to envision the quilting design when you’re sitting at the machine. Marking guidelines with a fabric-safe marker can help, especially for intricate patterns. Use an air-soluble marker or just mark faintly so the marks will fade after washing. Some quilters guess-timate and just wing it without lines – but that takes nerves of steel!

  4. What quilting stitch should I use?

    For strength on a big quilt, choose a smaller stitch length like 1.5-2.5mm. However, if the quilt will see lots of washings, you might go up to 3mm. A straight stitch is basic but zigzag or decorative stitches add fun dimension. Experiment to see which style you find easiest – it’s different for everybody!

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  5. How do I keep my quilt top from slipping around?

    Gripping the edges of a large quilt as you sew can seem impossible! Try safety pinning scrap fabric strips along the outer edges to hold it in place. You might also quilt on a surface with texture like an old sewing table cover – the bumps provides traction. And remember to pull with both hands firmly as you guide the quilt, not just push with one hand.

  6. How long will it take to machine quilt a big quilt?

    For a general estimate, plan 8-10 hours of quilting time for a 90″ square quilt. That estimate assumes straight line quilting about 1/4″ apart. The more intricate the design, the more time it will take. Because of the extra handling, binding a huge quilt also requires some stamina! Allow a whole weekend to work on it.

  7. Any tips for managing a large quilt as I quilt?

    Roll up extra quilt layers behind you and secure with binder clips as you work to keep everything neat. Put quilting gloves on to avoid finger pricks. Take breaks to stretch and give your eyes a rest from intense focus. But is it worth it? The feeling of accomplishment when a ginormous quilt is finally quilted makes all the effort worthwhile, and you can rest on your quilting laurels!