What is a Wholecloth Quilt?
A wholecloth quilt (whole cloth quilt) is a quilt that is created by using a solid piece of fabric as the top – instead of being pieced. The top is often made from a white or off-white fabric that can be pre-printed with a stencil that shows you where to quilt. The printed lines of the stencil wash out after the quilting is finished. Wholecloth Quilting isn’t for the faint of heart!
The wholecloth quilt was daunting. Could I finish this project? Could I do it justice? Would I enjoy the process? Wholecloth quilting isn’t for the faint of heart. There isn’t anything to distract from the stitches. I would need to stay focused on this project.
Their décor doesn’t lend itself to a patchwork quilt, so I will tackle a wholecloth quilt. This is my current project. It has been two years of hand quilting, although there were months in which I hadn’t touched it. Since January 2021, I have worked on it each month. I am on the last parts of that middle medallion now. The quilting is definitely more condensed, causing it to go much, much slower. (The photo to the right makes it look ivory, but that was due to lighting – it is white.) I am bound and determined to finish it for this Christmas.
Wholecloth Quilt Pattern
Many have asked me what pattern I used. I looked to see if I could find the link again, but I am not having luck. The pattern was from Benartex – Style #929 – Fantasy Feathers in white (90 “x108”). I chuckled at the warning on the package – “Do Not Prewash Fabric!” The assumption is that someone prewashed their fabric before starting the project—big surprise when you take the material out of the washer. I have to admit that I dealt with the repercussions of condensation from my glass hitting it. Oops!
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Hand Quilting the Wholecloth Quilt
Now, if I had been smart at the beginning of the project, I would have forced myself to quilt with the running stitch. BUT I was not too fond of the way my stitches looked. Had my patience won out, by now, I would be much more proficient with that style of hand quilting. Lesson for next time – patience as I learn a technique often increase my proficiency and speed.
With this project, I again used the basting gun with black fasteners – so much easier to see on a white background than the white ones I started with! I used the 4.4 mm size. If you are using thick batting, you may want them a bit longer.
Tables to the Rescue
Again, I put tables together in our pavilion to have enough space to layer the quilt. It is nice that it is table height rather than crawling around on the floor and leaning over (which is a no-no after my neck surgery).
Wholecloth Quilt Project
I get so excited at the start of a new project. I was concerned that my excitement would wane with time, but I am still enjoying it. There are some nights that I don’t get very much done, but every little bit counts. I love hand quilting while traveling and camping! Such a productive time, unless I am the one driving.
Let’s Talk Needles & Threads
This time, I used Gutermann Quilting thread, so I didn’t need the beeswax. As of this post, I have used five spools! I got a bit nervous and ordered four more, knowing that I would use it up eventually. I continued with the James John brand needles, but I tried the Gold’n Glide Quilting Needles in size 9. So far, these are my favorites. Considering my old eyes, I can thread the needle reasonably easily – as long as I have enough light. Light quality plays a big part in my hand quilting success.
Hand Quilting Products Tried
I had tried a curved needle as suggested by another quilter; I am NOT coordinated enough for that! It is pretty comical when I look back on this trial, but it wasn’t funny at the time. My finger was pretty sore from all the pokes with the needle, and the back of the quilt looked like a child did it. I also tried a variety of accessories intended to protect my fingers and ease some of the arthritis pain.
I can share that Needle Grip-it helped when I struggled with my finger strength. I used it on my more difficult days. What frustrated me was that I couldn’t feel the needle when I was stab-stitching; my stitches were wonky. On those painful days, it did allow me to quilt. I often used my quilting as an escape from the pain – a nice distraction.
Question – “Has anyone had success with Thimble pad?” It was helpful before I had callouses built up….or when my fingers would develop cracks in the winter from dry skin. They hold so well that my callous often peeled partway off with it – OUCH! You have to be careful when you peel them off!
No finger protection except for callouses
I usually ended up not using anything and just letting the callouses build up. Due to some nerve issues from my neck surgeries, I couldn’t feel enough with the thimbles and moleskins to quilt. It was taking twice as long to do the stitching. Not to mention how awkward they are when my nails are long in the case of regular thimbles. I am such a sensory person that when the needle hits the metal ones, I would cringe. So, after all my trial and error, I found what works for me, and callouses go away once I stop hand quilting for a while.
The quilt frame I used in the Scrappy Wedding Ring wasn’t as useful in the wholecloth quilting project. My recliner was much more comfortable than the rolling office chair. I tried a floor hoop frame, but I couldn’t get it in just the correct position. I tried it with the office chair, and it worked ok. This frame wasn’t meant for the quilt’s weight I was working on, and my leaning forward wasn’t pleasant.
Background
Let me give you a little background information on me. I had my first neck surgery in 2004. I had been hit by a drunk driver, and because of that accident, my neurologist found a tumor on my spinal cord. My neck had to be fused after the removal because I lost so much bone. Fast forward to this past spring when I underwent my second neck surgery because the first fusion didn’t take. I am so much better after this surgery, but I have to pay attention to my neck position. Quilting in the recliner is the most comfortable. I can also use a neck travel pillow if I need extra support.
I have an led gooseneck floor light the I can adjust, so it shines just where I need it….no more leaning toward the light, the light comes to me. There are four light settings for brightness and the color of the light (bright, warm, outside, etc.). I found this light to be the most helpful when I struggled to see my stitches in the evening.
“Hoopful”
I use a 14″ heavier hoop. With the help of the basting gun, this method works well. I did baste the quilt closer together so I wouldn’t regret not using the frame.
Once the quilt is in the hoop, I trim the fasteners out. My quilting thread kept getting caught on them. When I have to move the hoop to the next section, I lay the quilt out on our king-size bed. This allows me to smooth things when moving to the next part – checking and rechecking the back to compare to the front – making sure there were no wrinkles on the back.
Larger Hoop?
I could look for a larger hoop, so I didn’t have to change it often, but I get satisfaction from completing each “hoopful.” I like the excitement from the completion of each section more than any irritation from having to move to the next area. It is that whole “being patient” thing.
The quilt hoop often needs to be retightened as I am quilting the “hoopful.” Next, I have to make sure the back is also smooth. I keep thinking that I should add something to the hoop to help hold it in place. I don’t take the time to do it because I am so excited about the next section. Years ago, I wouldn’t have been this fussy, but the results often showed that I didn’t take my time and do it the right way. Glad that the patience level has increased with age when everything else seems to be decreasing (eyesight, stamina, etc., lol).
Traveling Basket for Wholecloth Quilt
The next problem that needed solving was how to make this quilt portable. I could throw it into a laundry basket, but it doesn’t always fit nicely into the car or RV when I want to quilt as we are traveling. They are too stiff, not flexible. I found the perfect coil basket to use.
It is sturdy enough to hold its shape but soft enough to squeeze in somewhere. It also keeps the pups off of it. I have no idea why they love to curl up on it as soon as they see me get it out. The basket helps to keep them off of it.
My supplies can fit in the basket with it, along with the journal, pen, and any other accessory I think I may need. A small clip-on light with a long neck that I can clip on the counter in the RV would create a focused point of light. The light won’t distract my hubby while driving, and I will see what I am working on. I can get so much done while we are traveling to the campground. Once we are settled in at the campsite, I usually don’t get a chance to quilt a whole lot. I am shocked that I didn’t end up car sick from it. Knocking on wood and not complaining, what a blessing.
Furbabies
Newer Driver
Now that I have learned to drive the coach, my quilting time will be decreased. Although I usually am the evening driver – so my time may not be affected too much. I am always up for an adventure! I am sad that our camping time is coming to an end for the season….but I will spend the winter planning our trips and projects.
Until Next Time…
