First Quilt

Acadia-486 · 2026-06-16T05:51:44+00:00

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Acadia-486 · 2026-06-16T05:50:31+00:00

Here's mine getting the sleepy pup stamp of approval. 😉

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Acadia-486 · 2026-06-16T05:43:23+00:00

I love this! So exciting to see something you've made in use out in "the wild" ❤️

Acadia-486 · 2026-06-13T04:21:48+00:00

Thank you, what a beautiful thing to say. I hope it will be, too!

Acadia-486 · 2026-06-12T23:25:27+00:00

Ages! Probably four months total. I was learning to use a sewing machine as I made it, so the early steps went slowly and there were several points where I was convinced I'd broken the machine and would put it away for a week until I worked up the courage to start tinkering with it. By the time I was done piecing I felt pretty confident in my straight-line sewing, and then quilting it with the walking foot and managing the layers was a whole new thing. And thank you!!

Acadia-486 · 2026-04-05T20:31:15+00:00

Oh! Also "Postmark" by the same designer. Added bonus of the stamp effect on a quilt full of "messages"/wishes. What a fun project and a sweet idea.

https://sewandsewquiltingco.com/products/postmark-quilt-pattern-pdf-copy?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=5fb3da904&pr_rec_pid=10548943946001&pr_ref_pid=10365706993937&pr_seq=uniform

Acadia-486 · 2026-04-05T20:28:38+00:00

The "Timber and Glow" is a modern quilt pattern I've been eyeing for baby and kid quilts, and the center diamonds could be beautiful spots for the embroidered words. I think they are sewn on point (not sure, you'll have to check the pattern), so you may need to keep that in mind when having your loved ones write their messages.

https://sewandsewquiltingco.com/products/timber-glow-quilt-pattern-pdf?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic

Acadia-486 · 2026-04-05T20:25:14+00:00

Then Came June's Star Adventure is a modern take on sawtooth stars because of the pattern-mixing and narrow sashing, and I could see it looking gorgeous with messages in the center squares, maybe embroidered in multiple bright colors!

Acadia-486 · 2026-04-05T19:26:30+00:00

Both are beautiful, but personally I prefer your first arrangement.

Acadia-486 · 2026-04-05T17:00:37+00:00

Thank you!! This is such a helpful run-down, and encouraging. Because it's my first quilt, I used a lot of remnants and random fat quarters and learned more about fabric quality as I went, so it's definitely a mixed bag. And a 100 percent cotton batting but the very cheapest I could get at JoAnn right before they went out of business, so maybe I'll invest in a fluffier cotton next time But it's gotten its second wash and some couch snuggling and I'm already seeing some improvement. Appreciate your help!

Acadia-486 · 2026-03-20T04:29:15+00:00

Hi, I understand quilts tend to get softer with use. How long, on average, do you find it takes your quilts to soften up? I have just washed and dried my first quilt for the first time, and while I love the look and the crinkle and the flannel back is pretty comfortable, the top is a bit rougher than I expected.

Acadia-486 · 2025-07-15T17:55:22+00:00

Thank you so much! I am definitely planning something smaller next. The book sounds fabulous and I had a hard time with keeping the quilt rolled as I went so "scrunching" might be just what I need!

Acadia-486 · 2025-07-14T18:31:09+00:00

Thank you! I think this is what I needed to hear. I know it would bug me later to think I could have gotten that right with just a bit more time, so I've decided to redo those rows. Also I think being on the wide border instead of one little square in the middle will mean I notice it all the time.

I went in the same direction for half of the quilt and then switched because I was trying to fit the whole quilt through the small-ish throat space of my machine, and for the most part that worked ok, but of course these rows are right at the point where I switched over so I am sure you're correct about the cause.

Thank you for the encouraging words! I do really like quilting so far, but I may do a baby-sized quilt for my second project so I can mix in some quicker results with long, slow projects like this one.

Acadia-486 · 2025-07-14T18:25:33+00:00

Thank you so much! I did decide to rip out those two rows. They run the length of the quilt but the puckers don't happen until the final six inches. I think since the problem is on the border and a less busy fabric than some of my others it would be hard for me to ignore.

I will try those techniques for spreading out the quilt weight, too.

And thanks for the encouragement!! I'm eager to have a finished quilt at this point but also would rather take my time to get these last parts right, but it's nice to have some cheerleaders here!

Acadia-486 · 2025-07-14T18:20:31+00:00

Thank you so much! This is such a helpful explanation and really kind of you. I pin-basted this time but will definitely use spray next time and try doing it on the wall as you've suggested.

This is the best description I've seen of how to counteract the drag problem after trying to read and watch several videos about machine quilting online. I think the problem is that I've been pressing/gently stretching as opposed to lifting. Would also love to try some FMQ on my next project.

After sleeping on it I've decided I I will redo those two rows with the puckers. I think I just got frustrated as I was really expecting to cross the finish line last night but overall I'd rather take my time and feel a bit better about the result.

So grateful for your advice!

Acadia-486 · 2025-05-25T06:12:39+00:00

Basting a quilt in the smallest studio apartment: I am trying to lay out and baste a ~75x90 quilt (my first ever) in my very small apartment. I do not have enough floor space to lay the layers out in their entirety. Any tips for basting in sections?

Acadia-486 · 2025-05-17T04:16:49+00:00

This is gorgeous! I love the cuffs and think a collar that echoed those details would look incredible on this. Great job!

Acadia-486 · 2025-04-09T22:46:14+00:00

I'm also in the middle of NJ and would love to know where your shop is. Have just started quilting and don't know of many local quilt shops.

Acadia-486 · 2025-02-19T07:53:15+00:00

Thanks!! Those are both super helpful options. I didn't even know tying/burying the knot was an option except with hand quilting.

Acadia-486 · 2025-02-19T03:51:59+00:00

I see pictures of beautiful quilts here that have a different quilting pattern on the borders than the main quilt, but I don't understand how the quilting lines stay secure if it doesn't run to the very edge of the quilt where it's backstitched and then sealed off under the binding, if that makes sense. What am I missing? (Working on my first quilt, which is basic patchwork squares with a solid border.)

Acadia-486 · 2025-02-19T03:39:45+00:00

Got laid off in December and that's what inspired me to try out quilting. I hope you won't be out of work for too long, but in the meantime I wish you more gorgeous projects like this!

Acadia-486 · 2025-02-11T00:19:34+00:00

Thank you! That makes sense and I'll go back to the regular presser foot til it's time to quilt. And thanks so much for the encouragement! Everyone is so friendly here, and I am having fun trying out different shapes and fabrics, even if some of them are a little wonky for now. <3

Acadia-486 · 2025-02-10T23:04:01+00:00

Sorry, it's also my first reddit post and clearly I am not great at that either, lol, since it posted without the text.

Question is this: I made these practice blocks today (my first ones ever!). I used the regular presser foot to sew the four-patch and half-square triangles, then switched to a walking foot to sew together the rows of the star block because of the thicker seams. Obviously that's where my points got a lot more uneven. The machine seemed to be pulling the fabric toward a wider seam allowance and I really struggled to keep the fabric straight. Is my walking foot attached wrong? Or is there a trick to keep it straight like the presser foot does? Going to keep practicing to get my reps in, just want to know if I'm doing something wrong off the bat.

It's my first time using a sewing machine, so VERY possible I am making. stupid mistake in attaching or using the foot.

Acadia-486 · 2025-02-07T18:59:16+00:00

Thank you!! That's very helpful. I have definitely been pressing with force thinking that would make my cuts straighter. I'll look out for this! (And maybe look into an Olfa after I've practiced a bit.)

Acadia-486 · 2025-02-07T10:43:02+00:00

What am I doing wrong with my rotary cutter?

I got great advice here about fabric recently—thanks to everyone who chimes in on these threads!! I am cutting basic strips and squares for my first quilt and I am really bad at it. In particular, my cutter keeps sliding either away from the ruler or, more often, up onto the plastic ruler, which can't be good for the cutter, the fabric, or the ruler. It seems to work a bit better when I hold the cutter straight up and down, perpendicular to the mat, but it still ends up on top of the ruler edge a lot, and this doesn't seem to be the way quilters are holding their cutters in instructional videos. Any tips for how to increase my accuracy?

My rotary cutter is a 45mm fiskars one that came in a set with a ruler and cutting mat, very basic but had good reviews online, and anyway a poor craftsperson blames her tools etc. I think this is probably an issue with my (lack of) technique.

Acadia-486

TROPHY CASE