I love straight line quilting. For me it has a clean, modern feel with a simplicity that I love. The possible combinations of straight lines are endless. Many of you have asked for information on straight line quilting, so I've put together a mini tutorial on how I straight line quilt.
I dislike marking quilts. I find that my lines are never quite where I want them to be, so my solution is painter's tape. I have it in sizes from 1/4" up to 3". You can lay sizes next to each other to make whatever distance you choose between your lines. You will also need a walking foot for your machine. The walking foot allows the top and bottom fabrics to feed evenly when you're quilting. With tape, a walking foot and your imagination, you're set to go.
The first step is to place the first piece of tape. For this little quilt I was doing random straight lines, so the placement was pretty easy. If you're crosshatching a large quilt setting that first line can be tricky unless you have another person to help. Making sure that first placement is straight is important because all the lines will build off of that first one.
I usually lay my tape approximately where I want it, then I take out any of the basting pins that are in the way. Then I have a partner (kids work well, dogs, not so much) help me place it and then I press it down securely. The low tack of the painter's tape will stick nicely, but it won't leave a residue on your quilt.
When I first started straight line quilting I sewed with the needle right next to the tape. I found that sometimes I would sew on the tape. (everyone wiggles a bit!) Then when I would move the tape for the next line the tape would rip and remain under the stitches. It's no fun to remove little bits of tape stuck under the stitches. So, now I position my walking foot like you see below with the inner edge running along the tape. This prevents any sewing over the tape and it helps keep your line perfectly straight. Sometimes when you stop to adjust your quilt your quilt will shift a bit and if you just have the needle it's hard to line up your quilt again. With that inner edge of the presser foot you can line up with the tape and keep on sewing.
This is what your line will look like after sewing.
If I was going to do a row of straight lines I would reposition my tape along the stitching line and sew again repeating the process across the quilt. You will have to replace the tape eventually when it isn't sticky enough to maintain a line.
Here are a few examples of some of the straight line quilting I have done. A large crosshatch. These lines are 3 inches apart.
Simple parallel lines. These lines are a half inch apart. Remember to start in the center and work out to the edges. For this I only used tape on the center line. Then I used the outside edge of the walking foot which gives a perfect half inch spacing.
On this quilt the lines are done perpendicular with random widths apart. I did all the vertical lines first and then added the horizontal lines. The spacing ranges from 1/2" to 2" apart.
Have fun playing with lines and if it's Thanksgiving where you are, have a great one! I'm thankful you all come to visit and comment and email. It's great getting to know you and sharing my work with you.
I'll be getting some more fun mail in the next few days. I did a little Black Friday shopping in the privacy of my own home. Amazing what a few little clicks can bring you. These are the new additions to the Mingle line by Monaluna, one of my very favorite fabric lines.
Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and had some time for sewing at your house.
The first step is to place the first piece of tape. For this little quilt I was doing random straight lines, so the placement was pretty easy. If you're crosshatching a large quilt setting that first line can be tricky unless you have another person to help. Making sure that first placement is straight is important because all the lines will build off of that first one. 
When I first started straight line quilting I sewed with the needle right next to the tape. I found that sometimes I would sew on the tape. (everyone wiggles a bit!) Then when I would move the tape for the next line the tape would rip and remain under the stitches. It's no fun to remove little bits of tape stuck under the stitches. So, now I position my walking foot like you see below with the inner edge running along the tape. This prevents any sewing over the tape and it helps keep your line perfectly straight. Sometimes when you stop to adjust your quilt your quilt will shift a bit and if you just have the needle it's hard to line up your quilt again. With that inner edge of the presser foot you can line up with the tape and keep on sewing.
This is what your line will look like after sewing.
If I was going to do a row of straight lines I would reposition my tape along the stitching line and sew again repeating the process across the quilt. You will have to replace the tape eventually when it isn't sticky enough to maintain a line.
Here are a few examples of some of the straight line quilting I have done. A large crosshatch. These lines are 3 inches apart.
Simple parallel lines. These lines are a half inch apart. Remember to start in the center and work out to the edges. For this I only used tape on the center line. Then I used the outside edge of the walking foot which gives a perfect half inch spacing.
On this quilt the lines are done perpendicular with random widths apart. I did all the vertical lines first and then added the horizontal lines. The spacing ranges from 1/2" to 2" apart.
...until I hung it where it belongs. It's perfect for that room.
My Fabricworm ordered arrived just in time to save the day...I have a new fav fabric...the new mingle was perfect for the binding.
I also came up with a solution for those 30 house blocks that I've made. I was going to make a BIG neighborhood quilt, but when I was laying out the quilt I sorted the houses by color to help me distribute them, and then it hit me....what about little color coordinated subdivisions? The orange and gray one was simply perfect for this room. Don't you adore that mirror ball dot binding? So far I have blue/brown, red/aqua, green, and pink subdivisions planned. What do you think of those for one of the 'Joy in the New Year' challenge prizes?
I quilted it with my fracture quilting...very modern and minimal. For me it gives just the right effect.
After almost a year and a half I hit on a solution for the 'Atomic Connections' quilt. That should be a top in the next couple of days. I can't even tell you how excited I am.
Still haven't found the tennis shoes. Made a new 'G' for the 'G Whiz' quilt. The UPS man delivered a new power cord for my mifi. I can't even say how much I NEED my internet. I found my groove, though I didn't really know that it was missing. 
Sad to say, I haven't made loads of progress on my UFOs. I did finish these pillows last week before I left. They match this quilt.
I started the quilting on this piece. I chose pebble quilting to make it look like embers in the fire. It's a wall hanging, but it's taking forever. Six jumbo bobbins so far and I'm not even half done. I hope I can stick with it. I'm questioning my decision on this one. Hope you all are making progress!
I did some straight line freehand loopy quilting on the pillows to match the quilting on the quilt.
Redid my sewing machine cover to fit the new machine. Gotta keep dust away from my baby.
Reupholstered my stool and chair that I use in my studio. I used Michael Miller's mirror ball dots in orange and green. Love that fabric. Many of you have emailed and asked for info on how to upholster. I'm clueless about upholstery except to cut a piece of fabric bigger than the seat, flip it over, pull it taut and staple the hell out of it. Upholstery 101...take that, Martha.
We're almost up to 200 folks in the 'Joy in the New Year' challenge. Can't you hear the sewing machines buzzing? Lots of finishes are happening....lots of happy people. It's a good thing!
With the finish of this quilt I'm now under double digits in the number of quilt tops left to finish. I wouldn't have so many if I didn't do each one twice. This one was half quilted when I decided the quilting had to go, and I started over. 
The back is simple, but fun.
You can see the extension of the stars a bit better in this picture. Off to baste another UFO!
Here is the start of the quilt using the fabrics from the last post. It's inspired by Malka's Tuesday pillow that is on the front of 'Stitch' magazine.
I like this layout...but I also played and made it into furrows and barnraising. It looks cool in those too, but I'm a LONG way from layout decisions. I have 25 blocks done...the quilt needs 110.
One finish to put on the list...I think all of my friends have one of these now. They sure are fun to make!
