CatD

So... I finally have had some moderate success FMQ-ing with my janky, rigged up industrial Pfaff (named Ermingerd.) She's no longer breaking much thread - thanks to all for the input regarding rayon! That was, in fact, 90% of the problem.

But, I have to say that she has some quirks that aren't helping my beginner clumsies. While I have learned that you're supposed to stop quilting to re-position your hands, Gertie isn't well set up to do that. For one thing, she has no foot pedal. The dimmer switch that controls on/off and speed is on the right side of the machine, and ludicrously touchy. Too low, and she's struggling to turn over. A hair more, and she's too fast for me to manage. And if I get confused and turn it the wrong way, she's a mile a minute and breaking even poly thread. So, once I get her at a more or less comfortable speed, I'm VERY reluctant to stop her. I'm trying to walk my hands along while keeping the quilt sandwich moving, with some success, but a lot more trouble, for sure.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm not (despite the thread title) married to this machine. My investment in Gertie is actually pretty minimal so far. And I have several domestics that would also quilt, including a Bernina that was billed as the Quilters Edition. But I look at the throat space on them and wish I had about 3 times more room. Y'know?