Monday, March 2, 2009

spoon quilting

There's been some interest and curiosity expressed in my using TJ's quick quilter to spoon quilt so I thought I'd try and explain a few things about it here. I don't consider myself an expert by any means but I can tell you how I manage it.
This is how I hold the spoon underneath the quilt sandwich which is not taught in the hoop.The purpose of the spoon is to create a ridge for the needle to glance off.
Here you see it being pushed up in front of the needle to create that ridge. The spoon is moved back towards the needle. The tip of the needle hits the spoon, you can feel it.
The needle is balanced back as in rocker quilting to push the needle forward off the ridge of the spoon. Once the needle comes through to the front, the spoon is relaxed and moving forward in the same moment to put the needle back into the quilt sandwich. The spoon is again moved back and up to create the ridge again.
Essentially, the spoon moves forwards and back, forwards and back while rocker quilting. The spoon is the substitute for the index finger underneath. There is a rhythm to it and like anything I guess it's practice. It didn't take me too long because I was already using a substitute for my finger underneath. All these photos are able to be clicked on for the close ups.
Jinny Beyer has some information here as well.

11 comments:

Darlene said...

Perfect pictures of how you do your hand quilting. That little tool is one to consider. Thank you for sharing, Janet!

Lurline said...

You are an expert - beautiful tiny stitches - a joy to watch!
Hugs - Lurline♥

QuiltedSimple said...

Thanks for a great tip! I really, really want to try hand quilting, but every time I do I prick my finger underneath!
Kris

Janet said...

Thanks for sharing your expertise! Now that I've seen your pictures I think I "get" how to use the spoon. I'm eager to give it a try.

Quiltycat said...

I 'm enchanted by your ability in quilting. Wonderful!
nichi

Janet said...

I'm ready to start hand quilting the centers of some white blocks. I am soooo.... ready to try this hint. Thank you! Great blog. Love your variety

Unknown said...

I took a class in spoon quilting from Gayle Robb, owner of the TJ Quick Quilter company. I've been spoon quilting for two years now. My quilting has improved 200%! I rarely do any quilting without the spoon. I highly recommend. Your illustrations are great.

Anonymous said...

this is an awsome idea...I am going to have to try it....

Sonja said...

hi hi
Nice to know!

Faith said...

I am so glad that I have found your blog as I love handquilting too you just cant beat it despite all these sewing machines, and wow all these expensive longarm quilters. I dont have the money for these or.... the room so hand quilting is bestx
thankyou for showingx

Esther J Moehrke said...

I have the spoon quilting spoon, and I am unable to use it. I thought it was suppose to have a ridge on the side where the needle is suppose to catch and help with the process. My ridge is hardly anything there. The needle does not catch like it is suppose to. Does anyone else have this problem with it?