While I have always enjoyed designing and making quilt-inspired pin-loom projects, I usually don’t “quilt” them, which means adding a backing with some batting in between, and then stitching all layers together.
I’ve done some tie-quilting, where every few inches apart you pull and tie off a piece of string through all layers.
During my recent visit to the International Quilt Festival, seeing all the quilting equipment, I started to wonder if or how machine quilting might work for pin-loom woven tops.
I decided to ask the Gammill quilting equipment experts at the show; the company had sponsored all Open Studio sessions, including mine.
What started as a question turned into a proof-of-concept experiment … with a stunning outcome.
I showed Gammill representative Sue Kleinschmidt one of my woven projects that I had brought to the Festival, and she suggested that we could try quilting a smaller sample, which I agreed to put together. Sue also suggested to stabilize the fabric with light interfacing, and I just happen to have some at hand from another project.
I wove a flower like for the Flower Garden Throw, but with one ring only, using the same Ad Astra cotton that I had used for the original project. After sewing the flower together, I added some Pelon interfacing to the back.
The sample passed Sue’s inspection, and Gammill representative Cathy joined us when we started to prepare the work.
I asked if we can try the fully computerized method (compared to the hand-guided approach) and they agreed.
We started by basting the flower to the other layers so that it would stay in place.
Sue then traced the outline of the flower, and at the computer calibrated the quilting pattern that we had picked in size and direction. I was surprised to see how similar the software looks compared to the CNC router work that we do when we cut our pin looms out of wood!
Sue suggested a smaller stitch size and a slower speed than for a typical quilt. The latter would also give us an opportunity to intervene if needed. I held my breath when she pushed the start button …
The sewing head floated smoothly over the fabric, sewing stitches in beautiful sways. It was a delight to watch and I found it very calming. Everything worked flawlessly, and after a minute or so the flower was beautifully quilted!
Because of the coarse fabric, Sue suggested that for a real project she would use a thicker thread for quilting. And for a large project, she would baste the fabric by blocks, to keep the layers in place during the quilting process.
Working on the Gammill equipment was a prestigious treat, but you can even try some quilting on your sewing machine at home as well.
Whether you have access to a longarm machine or work with your sewing machine, it is my hope that you may consider giving quilting your pin-loom woven projects a try!
I would like to send a big, heartfelt thank you to the Gammill company, and particularly to Sue and Cathy Kleinschmidt, for the opportunity to sample computer-guided machine-quilting on a pin-loom woven project. The experiment went far beyond a simple proof of concept. Watching the process was an absolute delight.
Wow! I’d never have thought of machine quilting woven fabric. Personally, I’m a hand quilter; now you’ve got me thinking about trying a big of hand quilting on my weaving.
Same thought here!
Hi Gabi This has given me the Idea I dicussed with you about how to turn aweaving item into a actual quilt.
Go for it!