LA quilting question
08-09-2011, 09:51 PM
#1
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Location: Texas Gulf Coast
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A friend of mine has quilted two quilts for me on her Tin Lizzie. I know so little about this that I'm not even sure that IS a "long arm" but anyway...
She quilted only for herself until a few months ago when she began to feel comfortable enough to take in some other quilts at a "learning curve" price. I quilt most of mine myself using very simple SIAD and cross-hatch methods, but have used her for two of my projects.
In both quilts she has done for me there have been a few places where the stitching had a gap. I'm not sure what happened - the fabric had needle holes, but ... no thread. When I find this I simply follow her stitching line on my machine and fill in the gaps. We're talking 1" - 2" here.
Here's the question: is this usual? To be expected? Or is it something I need to show her so she is aware of it? We are good enough friends that she would not be offended. I just don't know enough to know what to expect.
She quilted only for herself until a few months ago when she began to feel comfortable enough to take in some other quilts at a "learning curve" price. I quilt most of mine myself using very simple SIAD and cross-hatch methods, but have used her for two of my projects.
In both quilts she has done for me there have been a few places where the stitching had a gap. I'm not sure what happened - the fabric had needle holes, but ... no thread. When I find this I simply follow her stitching line on my machine and fill in the gaps. We're talking 1" - 2" here.
Here's the question: is this usual? To be expected? Or is it something I need to show her so she is aware of it? We are good enough friends that she would not be offended. I just don't know enough to know what to expect.
08-09-2011, 09:58 PM
#2
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Location: Orange county, CA
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I would show her, especially since she is quilting for others and not just herself. You may not think it's a problem to fix the minor mistakes but if she does this for someone else and they tell a friend Not to use her service because of this it would be a shame. She most likely will appreciate your input. It's all a learning curve.
Oh and a tin Lizzie is a long arm, lucky her :)
Oh and a tin Lizzie is a long arm, lucky her :)
08-09-2011, 10:01 PM
#3
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Any idea what would cause such a thing? Thread breaking for some reason? Tension issues - she has mentioned that she has had problems with this.
I noticed it more on this one - and we're still talking 2 - 3 tiny spots - but don't know if the other had it and I just didn't notice - I've given that quilt away.
I noticed it more on this one - and we're still talking 2 - 3 tiny spots - but don't know if the other had it and I just didn't notice - I've given that quilt away.
08-09-2011, 10:01 PM
#4
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Location: Ephrata, WA
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Originally Posted by JanTx
A friend of mine has quilted two quilts for me on her Tin Lizzie. I know so little about this that I'm not even sure that IS a "long arm" but anyway...
She quilted only for herself until a few months ago when she began to feel comfortable enough to take in some other quilts at a "learning curve" price. I quilt most of mine myself using very simple SIAD and cross-hatch methods, but have used her for two of my projects.
In both quilts she has done for me there have been a few places where the stitching had a gap. I'm not sure what happened - the fabric had needle holes, but ... no thread. When I find this I simply follow her stitching line on my machine and fill in the gaps. We're talking 1" - 2" here.
Here's the question: is this usual? To be expected? Or is it something I need to show her so she is aware of it? We are good enough friends that she would not be offended. I just don't know enough to know what to expect.
She quilted only for herself until a few months ago when she began to feel comfortable enough to take in some other quilts at a "learning curve" price. I quilt most of mine myself using very simple SIAD and cross-hatch methods, but have used her for two of my projects.
In both quilts she has done for me there have been a few places where the stitching had a gap. I'm not sure what happened - the fabric had needle holes, but ... no thread. When I find this I simply follow her stitching line on my machine and fill in the gaps. We're talking 1" - 2" here.
Here's the question: is this usual? To be expected? Or is it something I need to show her so she is aware of it? We are good enough friends that she would not be offended. I just don't know enough to know what to expect.
There are a few things that can cause that..my machine has been acting up lately and that is one of the things....but mine is a different issue because I have just had my whole machine re-built.
In a regular case...that is needle deflection...so maybe the needle wasn't put in correctly...it could be dull. Or her timing could be a bit off. So she needs to know so she can fix it.
08-09-2011, 10:09 PM
#5
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We were looking at it when I picked it up and she spotted a little spot, but acted like it was no big deal so ... I did the same. I looked it over more closely when I got home. The more bothersome spot had a place with an extra long stitch - as if the needle had skipped a spot, then there was a bit of good stitching, then the place where there were holes, but no thread. Sounds like timing to me in my totally ignorant opinion!
:)
:)
08-10-2011, 01:30 AM
#7
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Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
yes mention it- and is it on a curve?loop?
when it happens with me it's because i am looping- and make my upward (swoop) faster than the rest of that loop- i get skipped stitches with the fast swoop- i have to remind my self as going in to those motions to slow down-not speed up- it is really easy to get into a flow and even when drawing with a pencil you will notice in one direction you tend to (swoop) faster than with the rest of the design-- it takes a conscience effort to stay at the same speed (and practice)
she needs to be watching- consciencely slow down- and when she skips a few stitches- back up and go back over that space....and keep practicing.
there is certainly a learning curve- it all takes practice- but you have to pay attention to when things are not quite right- see what you are doing when it happens (trouble shoot) and find solutions- not just pass it off...and ignore it....especially if you are doing more than your own==your (practice pieces) should be where you identify those problems- and find answers--before moving onto someone elses masterpiece
when it happens with me it's because i am looping- and make my upward (swoop) faster than the rest of that loop- i get skipped stitches with the fast swoop- i have to remind my self as going in to those motions to slow down-not speed up- it is really easy to get into a flow and even when drawing with a pencil you will notice in one direction you tend to (swoop) faster than with the rest of the design-- it takes a conscience effort to stay at the same speed (and practice)
she needs to be watching- consciencely slow down- and when she skips a few stitches- back up and go back over that space....and keep practicing.
there is certainly a learning curve- it all takes practice- but you have to pay attention to when things are not quite right- see what you are doing when it happens (trouble shoot) and find solutions- not just pass it off...and ignore it....especially if you are doing more than your own==your (practice pieces) should be where you identify those problems- and find answers--before moving onto someone elses masterpiece
08-10-2011, 04:48 AM
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Monroe, IN
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if there were needle holes and no thread, then it sounds to me like it skipped a bunch of stitches. If she hadn't noticed, then the thread would still be there on top. She knew it was there and snipped off the thread and either didn't think it was a big deal or hoped you wouldn't notice. It may be that she had quite a few places to fix and these were a few that she missed. Either way, definitely mention it to her because it is a big deal.
08-10-2011, 04:50 AM
#10
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
If I was the quilter, I would want you to tell me. How can it be corrected if she doesn't know about it? Paying customers wouldn't be so forgiving, and word of mouth is very powerful. The saying is, if a customer is happy, they tell one person. If they are unhappy, they tell 10-20. I think that is true.
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