Final Thoughts

I finished both quilts in the same way. I used the outside edges of the top as a guide and cut off the extra batting and backing using a ruler and rotary cutter.  Then I attatched the binding. Here they are totally done:


Once they were done  I was struck by how different they were. The hand quilting looked so handmade and pretty, whereas the machine quilting looked more clean and modern. Either way, you’re now equipped to do try it yourself!

As a post script: I ended up washing the handmade quilt to fluff it up for the pictures and it BLED! You might be able to see it in the photos above but here is a close up.


This is because I didn’t pre wash my fabrics. It was pretty sad after spending so much time and energy on it. I cannot recommend pre washing enough. Even if you’re in a hurry to start it will save you time and heartache in the end. Happy Quilting! --Molly

Comments

[Alix]

I'm just learning to quilt but have been an avid needleworker for many years. In needlepoint circles, they recommend repeatedly rinsing the piece in very cold water to remove any color bleeding. It takes a while, but does failry well. The shout color catchers do well too. Red is the worst to bleed. It also helps when prewashing to add white vinegar to the cold water to set the dye.

[Celia Maria]

Congratulations!
It's so well explained!
Even people who speaks other languages, can perfectly understand.
Much usefull!
Thank you,

[josie]

Thank you so much for a tutorial which includes great photos. I just finished my first quilt with great success. I searched long and hard for a web site that would help me in a step by step process . Thanks Purl Bee, I am now a more confident quilter.

[Picot]

What about a tutorial for binding? This series of instructions and pictures is so great. I would really love one for binding before I start a project. I can't wrap my head around how it is down. Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Picot,
We have a binding tutorial within our Thanksgiving Runner story from last year, you can find the story at this link:
http://www.purlbee.com/applique-quilted-runner-how-to/

Hope this helps you out!

[Cindy]

Hello!

I stumbled upon your website from, I think, The Pioneer Woman. I've enjoyed your posts, as well as this series (hand quite versus machine quilt). It was neat to see the comparison and read your thoughts on the two methods.

Cheers,

Cindy

[raina]

thank you! i second the motion for binding tutorial! also, have you ever used one of the basting services, where you can send your top layers and they bast it for you? my aunt told me about it, but i'm afraid to send my hard work and get it messed up, although basting is my least favorite part of quilting.

[Mary Ann]

I have been quilting for over 30 years and in the beginning I hand pieced and hand quilted everything I made but within the last 20 years (with the arrival of grandchildren and nieces and nephews) I just could not or did not have the time to get all the projects completed that I wanted to do. I love hand quilting and the look of a hand quilted project so i choose to machine piece (which I believe) makes a stronger quilt and then apply my love of hand quilting. For me hand quilting is therapy, being able to sit down at night after a stressful day -I get lost in creating a memory for those I love.

[Donna Spurr]

I have been quilting for about 14 years and just love it !!! I hand quilt all of my quilts unless I have them done on a long arm quilting machine. The last quilt I did was a wedding gift for one of my daughters and her husband. I did a "Double Wedding Ring " using mostly batiks. The quilt is queen size and I loved every minute that I spent on the quilting of it. Now I am working on a "White on White " (also called a Whole Cloth Quilt ). The batting is wool and it is a dream to quilt by hand - the needle just glides through. I"m not a fast quilter so I expect this quilt will take me the better part of a year to finish. If you are thinking you might like to try hand quilting - give it a try, it is worth the extra time that it takes to do a quilt !!!
Happy quilting !!

[Claire]

I have never tried quilting before, but I would really like to get into this. I think for time's sake, I would probably do machine quilting. I was just wondering, do you have to have a special machine or will my regular Singer sewing machine work? I really appreciate any help you can give!!

Thanks,
Claire

[purl bee]

Hi Claire-

Any machine will probably work, except for a very inexpensive child's machine. You will need to find a 1/4-inch foot as well as a "walking foot" or "quilting foot" before you get started. Contact your local sewing machine dealer or look here for those items: http://www.sewvacdirect.com/accessories.html

Thanks for your question and please let us know if you have any more questions.

Best- Molly

[Phoebe]

Thanks for this tutorial! I'm a new hand quilter who intended to use a machine, but my machine just didn't want to sew through denim. I realized, 3/4 of the way through my quilt that maybe I should be doing something to knot the thread once I've mostly used it up and need to re-thread the needle. Oops. :^) I guess that's why so many of my early quilted lines are looking a little loose.

[Comrade Melody]

Hey, I love how you did a side-by-side comparison! I wanted to ask you: About how much longer did it take to sew the one by hand vs the one on the machine?

[purl bee]

Comrade Melody... Glad the comparison is has been helpful. This project is from quite a while ago. We cannot remember the exact time difference. Hand quilting is definitely time consuming, but for a small project like this, not overwhelming.

Have you seen our Windowpane Quilt? http://www.purlbee.com/windowpane-wholecloth-quilt/ Molly talks about her experience hand quilting. Might be interesting to you! -Laura