Grace Lap Frame
03-13-2009, 05:49 PM
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
I almost bought one of these, but I have a question. It's about hand quilting. If I understand correctly, you only use one strand of thread, right? On machine, I use a different color in the bobbin to match the backing. Doesn't hand quilting make your stitches show on the back more?
03-14-2009, 05:48 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 6,884
Most definitely, your stiches will show on the back. This can be minimized by using a print for your backing and then it is more dificult to see the stitches on the back. When your stitches are to your liking, then you can use a solid color backing and they will show up and you can be really proud of your work! Often plain muslin is used on the back and the quilting lines will show up, but not the individual stitches! Hope this helps! :lol:
03-14-2009, 07:19 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: rural Maryland
Posts: 1,564
Joyce,
I have the floor frame like your lap frame. The workmanship is wonderful. I have never tried a lap frame but I do have a problem with my floor frame. It has a pole with legs that hold the hoop suspended from the side. Where I run into a problem is when I am working on a bed size quilt like the one I currently had on it the bulk gets caught up in the area between the hoop and the post supporting it. So far I have not ripped the quilt in trying to move it but I can see it happening.
Someone commented on having to rehoop often with a smaller frame. I make the most of the situation by having multiple needles going until I have filled up all of the hooped space with stitches. Because the hoop rotates that is easy to do. When you rehoop you can continue all of those rows of stitching etc. I also have learned to quilt with both hands in both directions. That also speeds up the process and saves some wear and tear on my dominate hand.
Have fun with your new hoop.
I have the floor frame like your lap frame. The workmanship is wonderful. I have never tried a lap frame but I do have a problem with my floor frame. It has a pole with legs that hold the hoop suspended from the side. Where I run into a problem is when I am working on a bed size quilt like the one I currently had on it the bulk gets caught up in the area between the hoop and the post supporting it. So far I have not ripped the quilt in trying to move it but I can see it happening.
Someone commented on having to rehoop often with a smaller frame. I make the most of the situation by having multiple needles going until I have filled up all of the hooped space with stitches. Because the hoop rotates that is easy to do. When you rehoop you can continue all of those rows of stitching etc. I also have learned to quilt with both hands in both directions. That also speeds up the process and saves some wear and tear on my dominate hand.
Have fun with your new hoop.
03-14-2009, 07:34 AM
#14
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,496
Originally Posted by mpspeedy
Joyce,
I have the floor frame like your lap frame. The workmanship is wonderful. I have never tried a lap frame but I do have a problem with my floor frame. It has a pole with legs that hold the hoop suspended from the side. Where I run into a problem is when I am working on a bed size quilt like the one I currently had on it the bulk gets caught up in the area between the hoop and the post supporting it. So far I have not ripped the quilt in trying to move it but I can see it happening.
Someone commented on having to rehoop often with a smaller frame. I make the most of the situation by having multiple needles going until I have filled up all of the hooped space with stitches. Because the hoop rotates that is easy to do. When you rehoop you can continue all of those rows of stitching etc. I also have learned to quilt with both hands in both directions. That also speeds up the process and saves some wear and tear on my dominate hand.
Have fun with your new hoop.
I have the floor frame like your lap frame. The workmanship is wonderful. I have never tried a lap frame but I do have a problem with my floor frame. It has a pole with legs that hold the hoop suspended from the side. Where I run into a problem is when I am working on a bed size quilt like the one I currently had on it the bulk gets caught up in the area between the hoop and the post supporting it. So far I have not ripped the quilt in trying to move it but I can see it happening.
Someone commented on having to rehoop often with a smaller frame. I make the most of the situation by having multiple needles going until I have filled up all of the hooped space with stitches. Because the hoop rotates that is easy to do. When you rehoop you can continue all of those rows of stitching etc. I also have learned to quilt with both hands in both directions. That also speeds up the process and saves some wear and tear on my dominate hand.
Have fun with your new hoop.
03-14-2009, 08:16 AM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Great State of TeXas
Posts: 210
I am a loyal owner of all of the Grace hand quilting Frames. I have the Z-44, the portable floor frame, & the lap frame, as posted on the beginning of this thread. Mine looks a little different because it is a number of years old.
All of my frames were left in the natural state & they are still lovely & in excellant condition after all these years. My Z-44 was purchased when they still used the wooden rails at the beginning. They have NOT warped & I almost always have a quilt going on there. I have mine set up in the full length.
I use each as the occasion arises for what ever project I have going on. At the moment, I have an extra large full sized Sunbonnet Sue in the Z-44 & the Jane Stickle Quilt in the smaller floor frame. I have finally developed the skills to quilt in all directions! Took awhile!:wink:
I do have a suggestion to offer mpspeedy with a problem of the quilt getting caught between the post & the hoop of the portable frame:
When you get your hoop where you want it, roll the back/edges part of the quilt hanging down & lightly pin it with safety pins. It allows you to turn the hoop in all directions without being caught. I rarely turn my hoop any more but that is what I did & it prevents that bunching up that you refer to.
Hope this helps!
Riley
All of my frames were left in the natural state & they are still lovely & in excellant condition after all these years. My Z-44 was purchased when they still used the wooden rails at the beginning. They have NOT warped & I almost always have a quilt going on there. I have mine set up in the full length.
I use each as the occasion arises for what ever project I have going on. At the moment, I have an extra large full sized Sunbonnet Sue in the Z-44 & the Jane Stickle Quilt in the smaller floor frame. I have finally developed the skills to quilt in all directions! Took awhile!:wink:
I do have a suggestion to offer mpspeedy with a problem of the quilt getting caught between the post & the hoop of the portable frame:
When you get your hoop where you want it, roll the back/edges part of the quilt hanging down & lightly pin it with safety pins. It allows you to turn the hoop in all directions without being caught. I rarely turn my hoop any more but that is what I did & it prevents that bunching up that you refer to.
Hope this helps!
Riley
03-14-2009, 07:27 PM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 255
Please let us know how you like your new frame. I have thought of doing lap quilting, however, the need to see something finished and ready to give keeps me machine quilting. I know instant gradification ( instant coffee, hot chocolate, and tea) is just the way we seem to live.
03-14-2009, 08:00 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Cashmere, Wa.
Posts: 3,947
Hi Riley, I always love it when you post because you always have such great information and you are so precise. Thank you! I don't hand quilt very much at all. I'm working on a small 30s quilt now but my stitches are so far apart, as hard as I try to shorten them up. I'll keep practicing.
03-15-2009, 05:15 AM
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Great State of TeXas
Posts: 210
Janstar. thank you for your kind words!
(I have to be precise 'cause I am old & senile--otherwise, I don't know what it is that I am saying!:mrgreen: )
Your hand quilting will improve the more you do it. You do learn how to rock the needle in & out. In the beginning , you consciously try to do it, then you progress so that you don't even think about it.
Good luck on your 1930's Repo project. They are my favorite fabric & what I used on the Sunbonnet I am quilting.
Riley
(I have to be precise 'cause I am old & senile--otherwise, I don't know what it is that I am saying!:mrgreen: )
Your hand quilting will improve the more you do it. You do learn how to rock the needle in & out. In the beginning , you consciously try to do it, then you progress so that you don't even think about it.
Good luck on your 1930's Repo project. They are my favorite fabric & what I used on the Sunbonnet I am quilting.
Riley
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