Custom Machine Quilting a Posh Penelope Quilt

Quick answer

To custom machine quilt a Posh Penelope quilt, follow Natalia Bonner's process: plan your design, practice on a sample, then stitch section by section, and be ready to unpick and redo when needed.

Step-by-step process for custom quilting the Posh Penelope quilt

1. Study the quilt design: Examine the Posh Penelope quilt layout. Identify large open spaces, pieced blocks, and borders. Decide which areas need dense quilting and which can be simpler. Common mistake: jumping into stitching without a plan leads to unbalanced density.
2. Draw a quilting map: Sketch a rough diagram of the quilt top, marking motifs for each section: feathers, swirls, or straight lines. Natalia uses this map to visualize flow before loading the quilt. Checkpoint: ensure your motifs transition smoothly from one section to the next.
3. Practice on a sample: Layer the same fabrics and batting as your quilt. Stitch each planned motif at least twice. Adjust speed and tension until you're comfortable. Common mistake: skipping practice leads to uneven stitches on the final quilt.
4. Start quilting from the center: Load the quilt and begin stitching in the middle. Work outward to minimize fabric distortion. Natalia recommends stabilizing the center with a simple filler motif first. Checkpoint: stop after the first motif and check the back for tension issues.
5. Quilt one section at a time: Complete each block or border before moving to the next. Roll the quilt as needed to keep the working area flat. Natalia often pauses to step back and assess the overall look. Common mistake: rushing to finish a section causes puckers or thread breaks.
6. Embrace unpicking when needed: If a motif looks off or the tension is wrong, remove the stitches. Natalia shows that unpicking is part of the process and saves the final result. Checkpoint: use a seam ripper carefully to avoid damaging the fabric.
7. Finish with border quilting: Quilt the borders last, matching the density of the center. A continuous curve or simple stipple works well to frame the quilt without overpowering it. Common mistake: overquilting borders can make the quilt curl.

Course details

• Custom Machine Quilting A Posh Penelope Quilt with Natalia Bonner: The Posh Penelope quilt opens the door for incredible custom machine quilting, and Natalia shares her process from start to finish in 48 minutes. You get a complete walkthrough that includes the unpicking and rethinking, so you can avoid the same mistakes on your own quilt.