Longarm quilting using a ruler
 

My hats are off to all of you that longarm quilters who quilt with rulers! I didn't realize how hard it is. Just did my first top only outlining blocks and it took me two days. It looks much easier than it is!!!!
Did get lots of practice though:o Will post picture when quilt is completed.
Next I plan on doing some feathers on each side of the border edges. The blocks are so large they don't all fit in one sewing so I have to roll up and down (won't make this mistake again, hahaha).
Have a whole new respect for you all that's for sure and now know why it costs so much to go to a quilter. Applause to you all!

Oh boy ,I just ordered extension table and ruler foot for my machine yesterday. Still looking at rulers to start with. Hope I am able to do it!!!!

I'm going through the same growing pains ;-)

Don't stress about it being hard at first - isn't everything? It will get easier with practice, and there are some beautiful things you can do with various longarm rulers. Just be sure you are using one that is the correct thickness for your longarm, usually 1/4". And be careful not to hit it with the needle.

There are some great DVD's out there to help you too. Don't know abut what YouTube might have.

Start with a practice piece and the proper tools and you'll get the hang of it in no time.

ali

Actually, I just took a ruler class. It was great, but both teachers are recommending 3/8" rulers. In addition, placing skateboard grip to keep them from sliding. Does your machine have an open toe foot?

I use a foot made for ruler work and somewhere I read to use rubber cement on the bottom of rulers to help keep them from being slippery. Rubber cement works great! My blocks have three rows of borders so it was a lot of stitch in the ditch. Not as perfect as I would like it but not too shabby for a beginner.
Thanks for the encouragement!

Ooooh, stitch in the ditch isn't easy, for me anyway. Using the rulers for design work though is easier. Best tip is to not press on it too hard. Good luck and have fun.

If I may offer a piece of advice, take frequent breaks when doing ruler work. From experience, I needed like 3 visits to the chiropractor (sp)? after one wall hanging I did alot of ruler work on. Kept pushing when I should have taken a break.

I just tried this on my last quilt for my new grandbaby. It wasn't easy, but it did help me make nice straight lines.

I just bought 2 rulers for my Handiquilter & am trying to figure out how to use them. They have marks for inches on them but haven't figured out the method yet. I'm going to utube to see if there are any videos!

PPP -- practice practice practice. Yes, SID IS hard -- I still wobble and I've done so many ditches, I think I've been around the world and back. As others said --- buying a table is important ---- for SOME machines. My first longarm didn't require a table....it had a large base. This one has a small base and I have to add the table. I'm getting pretty good about popping it on and off. I have a friend that doesn't use a table and has a small base......I can't do that. I've broken 2 rulers by trying that one!!!! If it helps, try using Superior's invisible thread in the top and regular thread in the bobbin. You can't see the thread as easy. Superior's invisible thread is soft, can be ironed, etc. I REALLY like it. The one thing I learned is to turn your top tension down REALLY low ---- REALLY low. The inv. thread has to almost just fall thru the tension rings.

Good luck!

Check HQs website for videos. The marks may be at the 3/4". Your foot is 1/4" from the edge to the needle. So if you lay the ruler down with the etched line at a seam, put the needle down and follow the ruler, you'll have 1" stitching --- good for crosshatching.

All good ideas, thank you all.

I tried it and broke a needle. Need to practice some more.

Well, I have tried using a ruler a couple of times-not good, i couldnt draw a straight line if my life depended on it- BUT-
I have found if I use a ruler, and mark the straight line, and put a clamp on the wheel, it keeps it from moving, and viola! a straight line!! For me its really hard to eyeball a line and make it straight.
good luck
katz

i have 20 -30 year old mid arm no stitch reg. any body have an old one they work with and do fmq and doesn't have problems ?

I joined thequiltshow.com which has many video classes, including about 12 videos for beginner long arm quilters. I've watched them all. The instructor shows the ruler in use. Then there's also QNNtv.com They have an entire show called Quilt It which is solely for long arm quilters. I haven't watched all the shows they have for long arm machines, but there are quite a few. Once I could see how the templates/rulers were used it makes much more sense.

Another site to watch videos of templates: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...8&feature=plcp

http://quiltdasher.blogspot.com/