Make the Quilting Show Up!
Machine quilters experience an interesting conundrum at times: how to make the quilting show up! The challenge stems from the fact that machine stitching on a quilt can sometimes blend into the background so well, it can look invisible, depending on the light.
In this post, we will look at some ways to optimize the appearance of the machine quilting on your quilts…
Consider the Fabric Being Quilted
Solid Color Fabrics
The fabric being quilted has a lot to do with how apparent the quilting is. If it is a solid color fabric and you use matching thread, the quilting will often not show up when viewed from some angles. But the good news is it does show up from other angles! If you feel most confident using matching thread, which is more forgiving than contrast thread if a stitch out of place occurs, use the matching thread. When displaying the quilt, lower light can help bring out the quilting more than bright sunlight. In photos, find a camera angle that allows the quilting to stand out in 3D relief.
Gold colored thread, just a little lighter than the cream background, allows the stitches to be seen but is still “forgiving” to mistakes..
Changing the angle of taking the photo can help emphasize the matching thread stitching on solid colors.
Printed Fabrics
It is rarely worth the time to do elaborate quilting designs on printed fabrics because the stitching is just so hard to see. Plumes, feathers, swirls, etc. often get swallowed up by the print. The busier the print, the less apparent the quilting will be.
Tropical floral print fabric makes the quilting lines harder to see unless you are viewing them this close!
The busy floral print makes it hard to see the free-motion quilting very clearly.
On the other hand, this is a reassuring way to practice and experiment with free-motion quilting, knowing any missteps will not stand out!
Parallel rows of stitching stand out better than intricate quilting patterns on a printed fabric.
On printed fabrics, doing parallel lines, whether straight or curved, is often more effective. Since the light is “bounced” the same way by each parallel section, the quilting shows up much better. It is also easier to sew parallel lines since they may not need to be marked individually. Marking prints can sometimes be challenging. You can sew parallel lines by using a quilting guide that attaches to your presser foot and adjusting the width for the desired distance between parallel lines.
Another option with printed fabrics and free motion quilting is to use a meandering stipple pattern that fills in the areas but does not have to adhere to exact outlines and boundaries. Different relief effects can be achieved by doing close, dense stippling versus more open, all-over stippling.
Dense stippling can help set off the main pattern and help to raise it with more of a 3D effect.
Using Contrasting Thread
Contrast thread on a solid fabric or tone-on-tone print will show up well, so the machine quilting will be easily visible. The challenge is that every small movement - intentional or not! - will also show up! Especially during free-motion quilting, one “false move” and the incorrect stitch will be sewn onto the quilt, requiring it to either be accepted or ripped out and redone (enter the dreaded seam-ripper!). It’s always good to test out contrast thread on scraps ahead of time to avoid having to rip out a lot of stitches from your quilt.
Contrast thread, while nerve-wracking to use!, can emphasize the quilting design better than matching thread.
Some suggestions to use contrast thread while minimizing frustration include starting out with a mild contrast rather than a stark one. Instead of using dark blue thread on white, try gold or light beige. The stitches will show up better than white but will blend to some extent with the background fabric, decreasing the pressure to have perfect stitching. Or try a lighter shade of the background color, like a lighter green on a deeper green background. The stitches will show but the background will be somewhat forgiving for misplaced stitches.
When using a more apparent contrast color, consider doing a trial piece first, especially for free-motion quilting, since “practice makes progress”. Test out the design on some scraps to see if you like how it looks in that color thread and if you can execute the design with a standard of accuracy you are comfortable with.
Contrast thread can clearly define the quilting patterns.
Lastly, remind yourself that perfection is overrated! Using contrast thread not only helps the quilting to show up, it announces your confidence in your craft and skills! Using a palette of thread colors may enhance the visual appeal of your quilt and allow you to experiment.
Baby quilt with quilting done in white thread to provide sufficient contrast to show up when viewed from most angles.
Most Important - Enjoy the Appearance of the Quilting!
Your machine quilting may be the ultimate visual element of your quilt, enhancing the piecing or applique work on the top and giving the viewer’s eye directions to trace as they take in your quilt. Whether stitching with the presser foot on or doing free-motion quilting with the presser-foot off, experiment with the different effects you can achieve depending on your fabric type and thread colors. Have fun creating your personal best as you bring out the quilting for everyone to see!