Quilting the Layers

The actual quilting process can result in a variety of methods. Before you determine your quilting pattern, you should take into account your batting. Cotton batting requires closer stitching than polyester stitching. The most popular method of quilting the layers is quilting "in the ditch," meaning the stitch is a quarter inch away from the seam. If you are more ambitious, you can create a pattern while stitching. Many popular methods of quilting, including making a Hawaiian quilt use this method.

Machine quilting can take less time than hand quilting and the quilting is usually sturdier. The choice of batting is not as important when you elect to machine quilt, since the sewing machine's needle can go through thicker batting. However, you should make sure the needle is sharp enough to go through all three layers. Schmetz quilting needles are an excellent option for machine quilting. Since these needles come in two sizes, the 75/11 should be used for thinner batting and the 90/14 should be used for thicker battings.