Discouraged Long Arm Newbie... It's Harder Than I Thought!
08-01-2012, 04:53 AM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,929
Well, as you see you are not alone. When you first get a long-arm there is soooo much to learn. Hang in there and keep coming here for advice. I love this board because everyone rallies around you when you have a problem. When I was having trouble with a pantograph a lovely lady sent me a PM and even called me on the phone to help. I was very grateful.
Last edited by lisalovesquilting; 08-01-2012 at 04:55 AM.
08-01-2012, 05:49 AM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
being a longarmer is not something that happens overnite--well there are a few for which that did happen, but for most of us it is learning process. Now there are so many places to get ideas, hints, help, classes, books, etc., but it still takes time and patience. A dry erase board is a good way to practice hand movements. The trick is getting the machine and you to move at the same speed...........Practice on sandwiches of muslin or fabric that you really will not use in anything else......slowly, but surely it will come to you and you will then have fun........Jut keep us posted....
08-01-2012, 05:58 AM
#43
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jefferson, MA
Posts: 137
I'd like to hear from folks who have a HQ Sweet 16 (sit down, no frame). I've been discouraged by how "spastic" my practice quilting is. Are there any tips for making curves smoother? Mine are jagged, or "pointy." I thought I had pretty good eye-hand coordination until I tried quilting!
08-01-2012, 06:09 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 396
My Nolting dealer set mine up, gave me instructions on how to clean, care for, warm up, etc. When I moved to a new house, he came out, took it all apart, packed it and moved it and set it up for me again. Before he left, he made sure it was ready to go. There was a charge for the move, but worth it to make sure it was set up right and level, etc. If you have troubles, there might be a dealer in your area that could do the same.
Also, make sure all the tracks and wheels are clean...I do this every time I start a project and several times during the process. Even a tiny piece of thread can "bump" your machine. I keep small scraps of cotton batting, cut into approx 4 inch squares. I spritz these with regular rubbing alcohol and wipe all the tracks and wheels. I dust the whole machine with microfiber cloth. (I got a big pack of them at Walgreens) I just keep them close to my machine and clean it often.
Also, make sure all the tracks and wheels are clean...I do this every time I start a project and several times during the process. Even a tiny piece of thread can "bump" your machine. I keep small scraps of cotton batting, cut into approx 4 inch squares. I spritz these with regular rubbing alcohol and wipe all the tracks and wheels. I dust the whole machine with microfiber cloth. (I got a big pack of them at Walgreens) I just keep them close to my machine and clean it often.
08-01-2012, 06:30 AM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Rustburg, VA
Posts: 613
Been there, done that! I have had my machine for a couple of years, and still struggle with free motion quilting. I do work full time and do not have much time to quilt! Someone suggested on this forum to buy the cheap Walmart sheets for $5.00 and use those for practice quilts. Good idea and good price. I also think that there is a certain style of quilting that we are good at, and others that we don't do so well. I am not much good at FMQ but I can do quite well using rulers. I feel wobbly without anything to steady my machine. Of course, more practice would help that too. But hang in there, and don't give up.
08-01-2012, 06:49 AM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Some where in way out West Texas
Posts: 3,041
Remember dear, that you had to practice with your training wheels on your bike, then practice without them before you became profecient on bike riding, so this will be the same. I do not own a LA, but I know if I did, I would be in the same boat, and have to practice, practice. You wil get there eventually, DON'T give up. My suggestion would be to try and find someone either and individual or in a quilt shop that has a LA, even if not your brand, and go to observe several times, to see what they are doing, this might help you. Hang in ther lady, you'll soon be showing us all the wonderful quilts you have done. Remember no one is perfect!!
08-01-2012, 06:57 AM
#47
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 112
pin in a sheet sandwich (sheet, batt, sheet) lay out your pattern and take the needle out of the machine. Practice the pattern 10 times with no needle.
Then put the needle in with NO thread. Practice again 10 times, start to finish.
Then add thread and jump with joy at how great it looks, Now roll the fabric and do the next row.
It should be a breeze.
On your third row, play, scribble, doodle etc...
Forth row do the pattern, it will be even easier. repeat 3rd and 4th rows.
Continue to the end of the sandwich, hopefully now you have a good size snuggle under reminder of your new machine.
Then put the needle in with NO thread. Practice again 10 times, start to finish.
Then add thread and jump with joy at how great it looks, Now roll the fabric and do the next row.
It should be a breeze.
On your third row, play, scribble, doodle etc...
Forth row do the pattern, it will be even easier. repeat 3rd and 4th rows.
Continue to the end of the sandwich, hopefully now you have a good size snuggle under reminder of your new machine.
08-01-2012, 07:53 AM
#48
Power Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 10,743
Originally Posted by kimv44
Hello all.. I've recently purchased my first long arm machine and frame. I have been quilting and sewing for just about 10 years now and I'll say that it has humbled me along the way. I started quilting mostly baby quilts on a tiny 32 inch round kitchen table using a sewing machine I bought on sale at WalMart for about $80. I've moved up to better machines, bigger tables and now have a big quilting room and just when I felt comfortable quilting on my home machine my frame arrived and whalla.. I feel like that beginner quilter again...
I've wanted a longarm and frame for a while but couldn't really afford it. Then I found a combo deal and purchased a Hinterberg Stretch frame with the Viking Voyager 17 inch long arm machine for just under $4,000. The machine feels a bit clunky to me as I estimate it is at least 10 years old (refurbished) but it works. It came with a SLR and I've put together one twin sized quilt with it so far. I've got a queen sized and another twin sized quilt top waiting in the wings to be quilted.
But here's the thing... I feel like someone has taken my training wheels off my bike and I'm 4 years old again. The first project I simply did a meandering stitch to get used to the controls. If feels so different operating the machine from the handle rather than having a foot pedal.. the instruction booklet is right, these machines are like nothing I've used before. So tonight, in between quilt tops I attached some fat quarter sized practice "sandwiches" to the frame and thought I'd try to do some free hand patterns, practice tracing a line and see if I can do a simple feather. OH BOY.. I stink at this!! It is so difficult and I am embarrassed at how terrible I am at moving this machine around.. I couldn't create a pleasing design to save myself.
I know that a lot of the fantastic intricate quilting that we see is done with a computer aided machine, but did any of you who do this free hand have this hard of a time getting used to creating presentable free hand quilting designs?
I'm discouraged and hope I didn't just buy a $4000.00 meander machine : \ I could use some encouragement right about now..
I've wanted a longarm and frame for a while but couldn't really afford it. Then I found a combo deal and purchased a Hinterberg Stretch frame with the Viking Voyager 17 inch long arm machine for just under $4,000. The machine feels a bit clunky to me as I estimate it is at least 10 years old (refurbished) but it works. It came with a SLR and I've put together one twin sized quilt with it so far. I've got a queen sized and another twin sized quilt top waiting in the wings to be quilted.
But here's the thing... I feel like someone has taken my training wheels off my bike and I'm 4 years old again. The first project I simply did a meandering stitch to get used to the controls. If feels so different operating the machine from the handle rather than having a foot pedal.. the instruction booklet is right, these machines are like nothing I've used before. So tonight, in between quilt tops I attached some fat quarter sized practice "sandwiches" to the frame and thought I'd try to do some free hand patterns, practice tracing a line and see if I can do a simple feather. OH BOY.. I stink at this!! It is so difficult and I am embarrassed at how terrible I am at moving this machine around.. I couldn't create a pleasing design to save myself.
I know that a lot of the fantastic intricate quilting that we see is done with a computer aided machine, but did any of you who do this free hand have this hard of a time getting used to creating presentable free hand quilting designs?
I'm discouraged and hope I didn't just buy a $4000.00 meander machine : \ I could use some encouragement right about now..
My mom always said, If at first you don't succeed...........Try..Try..again........Practice makes perfect....Good Luck.
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