Originally Posted by
Prism99
My first tip is to try quilting standing up. I find that I can quilt much longer this way without my shoulders and back stiffening up. I place my sewing machine on my cutting table and find that to be a very good height.
Second tip is to make an inexpensive styrofoam "surround" for the machine on the cutting table. There are some Youtube videos on how to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25v3ZTk0
Third tip is to arrange a table or ironing board to the left of your quilting area to hold part of the quilt. This really helps spread the weight of the quilt.
I have also found that the larger the quilt I am quilting, the more I need that "surround" on my machine. I have even used books and magazines to build up around my machine to get the sewing bed even with the desk. Of course that was when I had no idea what I was doing, but it worked.
I am one that tends to jump right into a project without thinking about it. I will practice a little bit on a small sample to get the tension right, but then it is onto the quilt it self. I also started with a meander and am now just starting other designs. I find it very relaxing and tend to zone out the kids when they are around. Which can be good and bad at the same time
Have fun, take it one step at a time, enjoy the process and don't sweat the little things.