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machine quilting. blergh.

machine quilting. blergh.

Old 11-09-2012, 06:20 AM
  #11  
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I found that if you want to play with something, start small. Don't play with a big quilt right off the bat. Make small practice sheets and when you feel slightly proficient, start with a small quilt as you go wall hanging or placemat.

If I want to, I can quilt 5x5 centers in embroidery machine and straight stitch the rest. It's lazy, not traditional, but it's convenient. Especially with QAYG.

I bought a slider sheet for my Pfaff and was having fun, but have to quit practicing as Christmas gifts are in the way.

BTW - if you don't like it, don't force yourself or let others make you feel guilty. Do what's right for you.
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Old 11-10-2012, 04:35 AM
  #12  
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That is to bad. I still hand quilt "just for fun" in the evenings but I've made huge (120 x 120) quilts on domestic sewing machine. Gives a whole wide dimension for quilting designs. Yes, it takes practice but best way is to "jump in and do it." People receiving your quilts won't mind the differences that occurred in stitch lengths. On the contrary, they will be pleased to be included in your "learning curve." Don't give up! Best resource I've found is Leah Day.
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Old 11-10-2012, 04:59 AM
  #13  
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Success does not come to you over night. Just like any other skill. it takes practice befor you can get good results. I like both methods.
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Old 11-10-2012, 05:04 AM
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I enjoy it but I did start out small. I've also learned lots here on the board.
1) I leave my feed dogs up-it does make a big difference. I use my Janome 9000 for FMQ- have tried my other numerous machines but its ready & willing but I have tricks to fool it into doing what I want.
2) You can quilt of a Feather Weight- works great! but takes practice.
3) I doing a super size quilt- either do QAYG or send it to LAQ
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Old 11-10-2012, 05:12 AM
  #15  
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FMQ is not my favorite part of quilting, but I can do a decent stipple/meander. But following a predrawn pattern is excruciating for me....just can't seem to follow the lines and keep my stitch length the same. I would rather do a freehand feather or crosshatching. Sometimes those options aren't suitable for every quilt and I have to suck it up and try to make it look nice....all the time having the music up loud enough that DH doesn't hear the swear words!
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Old 11-10-2012, 05:24 AM
  #16  
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I am a beginner too. I want to do this determined but struggling. I took a class last week. Didn't really learn anymore than I have learn on here and various websites. I get puckers horribly but she did not show me anything to do to help. Just told me whatI already knew and said to practice. You might get a better instructor, actually mine was good but I knew pretty mush everything she was saying from this board mainly. I want to know more about what to do to fix what I am doing wrong. She said it took her a year to become good at it. So I am going to make some small sandwiches and practice as much as possible. Good Luck, I bet we will get there!
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Old 11-10-2012, 06:53 AM
  #17  
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My secret was to turn my Gammill over to my son (he is on permanent disability for a former work-site injury) and he does my quilting. The only thing with that, he has his thoughts on how one should be quilted, and I have mine--but once we get past that hurdle, we have quite a quilting history behind us, the latest being a double-wedding whole cloth quilt that will be a wedding gift for my first grandson when we go to the wedding in a couple of weeks. I love the creative and piece work of the tops, and he is good on the quilting machine; machine mechanics and all--tension is always a big problem when I try to quilt. But between us, we've completed over a hundred quilts in the four years that I've had it.
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Old 11-10-2012, 08:11 AM
  #18  
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quilting on your domestic machine is kind of like patting your head, while rubbing your tummy...it can be done but you need to practice....With quilts it is your machine goes as fast as you can and your hands go slower. We tend to want to them to go at the same pace. If your hands go too fast you tend to get toe catchers and jerky lines, if you go too slow you get uneven stitch length. So the solution is to practice a lot, however I don't think it would take a year. I practiced on quilt as you go scrappy quilts, the blocks are easy to maneuver, the scrappy-ness hides boo boos and if you do get a toe catcher just loop around and stitch over it, toe catcher no more. I am not great at it but I am much better and I can do full size on my machine with out too much cussing and swearing. Things I have found helpful, I have a brother with an 11"harp which makes shoving that big ol' mess though the opening, it is amazing what a difference two inches can make. And I just love the auto thread cutter. It is not a fancy machine, just a straight stitch only for only a couple of hundred bucks but worth the investment in my neck and peace of mind. I piece on my old pal a Bernina 440. I also use a supreme slider mat, and gardening gloves with latex on the palms, I do cut the finger tips off to be able to feel the fabric. These tips may not help you, but you will find your balance. Try out all the tips and keep the ones that feel good to you. Good luck and keep on keeping on.
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Old 11-10-2012, 09:15 AM
  #19  
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I do all of my own quilting on my DSM & I have had to come to terms that my quilts will never look like they are long armed. Like Buckeye Rose, I can do a decent stipple or meander. Some of my FMQ isn't so bad, but to follow a stencil or outline- forget it. I have been using my walking foot more & more for not only straight line quilting but for curves too. As everyone says, start small & practice practice!
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Old 11-10-2012, 11:07 AM
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It took me about 8 hours of quilting on a practice piece until things "clicked." I quilt on a DMS.
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