ginnie6

I've only made 1 complete quilt, have two more tops ready to quilt though. So far I've done hand quilting. I'm wanting to try machine quilting but i admit I just can't wrap my mind around how it works. I've seen pictures of people using frames....I think dh could put one together easily enough for me. And i see the way the machine is turned sideways. Do you use a special foot like a darning/embroidery foot? I know you need to drop the feed dogs. I watched a video of a lady doing the baptist fan and she was using templates....do they just fit beside the foot? Sorry if these questions seem dumb to you but like I said I'm trying figure this out!

SharonC

Hi Ginnie - I'm just started to get familiar with FMQ, but I can tell you that you need a darning foot, feet dogs are down, and I don't have a frame. I mark my quilts (using the pounce) and sew along the lines as best I can.
I have used some of the blue templates that I got in JoAnns and I've also traced a few out of library books and cut with a sharp blade so the powder can go through.
Since I am a beginner I pin AND basted loosely with soluble thread and I've had very few puckers.
Hope that helps....but like I said, I'm a beginner so I'm also anxious to see what advice you receive.
Sharon

MollieSue

Hi Ginnie, check out some of the videos on utube, I think they help quite a bit to try to get your mind around the whole thing. I am there myself right now! lol!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTs9O4tETCI - you'll also see a bunch more listed along the right hand side. :-)

I'm getting ready right now to free motion quilt my airplane quilt.... DH just ran to get me more safety pins, as I can't find the rest of mine! Grrr. Must be time to clean up my room a bit.... lol!!!!
:D

Lori Sunshine

Hi Ginnie!! Most of my quilting is called meandering. It looks like jigsaw puzzle pieces. It is really hard to mess up, except for the speed, and you just have to practice. Your goal is to have consistent stitches, and I am far from there!! But if you look at it after the quilt has been washed and shrinks just a hair, it usually looks good!! I do use a quilting/darning foot, and drop the feed dogs. And go for it!! Try something small to start, like a wall hanging or table runner. It is fun.

littlehud

I have a Juki with a 9 inch throat that I use for my bigger quilts, but I use my regular machine for the smaller ones. Use a darning foot and keep the feed dogs down and practice. I get better with each quilt, but I still have a long way to go.

Prism99

You don't need a frame or templates. Just make up a practice quilt sandwich and try it out. You do need a darning foot. Most people drop the feed dogs, but some people find it easier to machine quilt with the feed dogs up. You also do not need to turn the machine; most people machine quilt just fine in the regular position. Experiment. Most people find controlling stitch length the biggest problem.

If you go to http://www.youtube.come and search on "machine quilting", you will find quite a few videos that demonstrate how to do it.

If you decide you want to get serious about machine quilting, you may find this youtube video on how to construct an inexpensive table for your machine helpful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM
This is much more likely to help your machine quilting efforts than a frame would do. Frames are useful when you decide to move a (big) step up in the quilting world to get the kind of setup where you are moving the machine to quilt, rather than the quilt sandwich. Many quilters are quite happy to stick with their regular sewing machines, in which case a frame is likely not going to be very helpful.

ginnie6

ok thanks ya'll! I thought that's the way it went but sometimes I just get confused. I'm thinking that this week I'm going to make some 20x20 sandwiches and just practice. I also have a dream of quilting on the treadle so I'm going to give that a try too!

sandpat

I am still such a newbie in the whole quilting world that I wanted to see the advice given to you. I agree with all of it and can't add anything more except that doing machine quilting on a treadle would be really interesting! I'm trying to think that through and figure out how that would work..do you have to move your feet to make the machine work like I"m thinking? For me that would be like patting my head and rubbing my stomach at the same time....couldn't do it :roll: :lol:

ginnie6

Yes you have to move your feet. I'm just now getting to the point where i am comfortable sewing on it. It does take a bit to get a rhythm going. I have seen some beautiful work done on a treadle so that is my inspiration. Its kind of fun sewing on it too. Knowing that lots of women before me made beautiful quilts and clothes on a machine like this one......this one probably has stories to tell too.

quiltingbee12

Lot of practice, to do a treadle, but that is all I quilt on, It IS possible!