Saturday, September 22, 2012

What's the biggest quilt you'll make?


Now this is a big quilt! It's the AIDS quilt in Washington DC. You can see a huge zoomable image here.

But I mean, what's the biggest you'll make? I was asked to make a quilt measuring 100" x 108" and I'm beginning to realize that it's not going to work. I think the biggest I can manage comfortably is about 60" x 75." My favorite size is about 50" x 50" or 60" x 60." I use my regular sewing machine, a Juki 98Q for piecing and quilting. 

15 comments:

Carol said...

The largest quilt that I quilted on my Viking was 70 x 90 -- straight line quilting, but still a challenge at that size. I wouldn't go any larger; usually I go smaller.

BijouxBaby said...

I made a 100x100 swoon, but I sent it out for quilting. I'm in progress on a 120x120 that I'm making in horizontal panels and sort of QAYGing. I have a standard sized janome. The biggest I've quilted myself was a 70x80 with straight lines on the diagonal. I think quilting on the diagonal is easier than with the grain.

Mary said...

Don't be afraid of a big quilt. They all quilt up the same--one stitch at a time. My largest quilt was 101 by 104 or so, and I did that one on a Bernina with a 7 inch harp(space to the right of the needle).

Jessim said...

So far the biggest I've done is 84 x 92. My machine can handle bigger though, you just have to be surrounded by tables to support the weight.

I work on a Bernina 430, so the harp isn't extra larger.

Laura said...

I pieced a top that was 108x108, but I sent it out to be quilted.

Annie said...

My largest so far is a 78" X 58" straight line quilted on my Bernina 1230. I think it's only a 7" throat also. I always can't wait to get to the quilting but it's not always the funnest part after a while. But I'm not going to send out to longarm. I really love feeling I made the whole quilt myself.

Mary L. said...

I also quilt with a Juki 98Q. I've done a couple of 100 X 100" quilts though they do get a bit heavy to move around. I prefer to keep them 80 X 80" or less

LN in TX said...

I once made a king size quilt on my Pfaff 2056. Once...only once.

Sue said...

The biggest I've made is the current one for my daughter King bed. Simple pattern layercake with white squares 13x11 equals 125" x 105" and it will be quilted on a friends longarm.
This is a one time only offer, if she ever wants another one she will be making it herself.
I like make much smaller quilts because then I can quilt them how I want maybe 60" square

Barb said...

I can't believe the quilt was here and I missed it. My friend and I used to do the organ donor quilts every year. I pieced them and she quilted them. Not sure how big they were but boy were they emotional to work on. Most families blocks had pics of their loved ones lost and/or pieces of their clothing.

Anonymous said...

110 x 110. Not hard just took a bit of time. Hand quilting is the only way to do the big ones. It's just one stitch at a time no matter the size!

patty a. said...

The biggest quilt I ever made was my 8' x 10' Millennium quilt. I pieced and machine quilted it on my Pfaff 1475CD.

Unknown said...

I've only been quilting a short while (2 yrs.) and I've been sticking to smallish quilts - no larger than 60 72. Last month I branched out and tackled a large one - 80 x 80 - and I've just now completed the piecing. I've always sent mine out for quilting, but I think I'm going to give this one a try myself. I have a Viking Saphire 835, which should be able to handle that size of a quilt.

Unknown said...

I am working on a 100" x 100" queen size quilt using QAYG and quilting it on my standard size Bernina. The methods I'm using are written about by Marianne of Quilting Edge and Melody of Fibermania. My post about how I am doing it is at: http://www.overthemoonarts.com/2012/09/06/crossroads-phase-3-2-adding-section-2-qayg/

Really, its all in the planning. If you can quilt the center then add your borders using QAYG, it's very doable!

Anonymous said...

Hi!
I´m a regular visitor fram Bavaria, Germany, and I am very moved by the Aids Memorial Quilt. I´ve spent a lot of time looking at all these beautiful, sad, hopeful and thankful quilts, and I want to say thank you forposting it!
Love,
Ulrike