Hello again! It's been awhile, a couple of questions for you :)
 

I have been off the site for a while we lost our home and I sort of lost it. We are now in a better place and I have just started to quilt again I took 8 months off after depression set in. I stopped the board too because of the issues I was having, I cannot tell you how much I missed everyone. And to those who sent items and well wishes thank you so much they really meant a lot. I have a coin purse that I keep around as a reminder of the many caring people on this board!

I just started quilting again and wow I am no longer so anal about things!!! I did some free motion on my machine and it was the best I have ever done. I guess when you stop worrying about how it will look it turns out pretty good :)

One of my questions is I just purchased an Accuquilt Go! I tried to find some threads on here about the Go! but I have had no luck. I have not used it yet just received it yesterday and wondered if there are any tips/tricks out there. I have about 15 dies and cannot wait to really get using it.

My other question is I am working on a queen size French Braid that will include an applique silhouette of an Eagle soaring (the eagle will be about 3 feet wide and tall) 1) since this is a queen size quilt do you think the eagle should be as big it would take up most of the top what do you think would be a good size?. 2) I have never done an applique and would like to just do a raw edge with a lot of detail decoration on it good or bad idea (meaning not folding under the edges)?? Any advice? I have never been so frustrated with a quilt I have finally started cutting it today. I have changed the fabric 5 times in the last 2 weeks (complete change of 12 fabrics ok this is not bad I have added to my stash LOL)
Thank you in advance for your help I cannot wait to get back on here!

So glad to have you back and that things are better now. I know you are happy to be quilting again. On the applique, the eagle can be as large as you like. Being a Queen size, it doesn't really have to fill the whole bed top. maybe that would be too big. needle turn or raw edge is fine but you could also use a light weight fusible and fuse the sections down and then sew the edges. just be sure it is fusible you can sew through. good luck!!

Hi and welcome back!

Glad to have you back, Sorry for the house issues. Can't help with the Go, I decided it was too expensive. I don't think a real large eagle on a quilt would look that great. Maybe a wall hanging if you have a large wall. Just my opinion.

Obviously you like the idea of an eagle or you wouldn't have chosen it for your quilt, so go for it!
with it that large I wouldn't have a lot of other detail in the other blocks, maybe save everything else for the borders - but that's just me. It might not be you at all. Whatever you do, please send pictures for us. What colors are you using?

sorry to hear about your house, and glad you back, do you need anything, let me know. just pm me.

So glad to see you back and doing a lot better.

Glad you are back. If there is anything I can do, PM me.

Welcome back, don't have a go but hope you enjoy your new toy

Jump right in with your GO. I love mine, it saves so much time. You can use their patterns. I have the basic dies. I am not a applique person, so I got the strips, square and tumbler dies and use them alot.. One piece of advice I might give is, it says 8-9 layers. I only do about 6. I think its less stress on the machine, and certainly is easier to crank.

welcome back and i am glad things are getting much better.

I used the GO last weekend. You will love it. Welcome Back!!!

I love my Accuquilt..I also have been gone for a while...getting back into quilting - I just used my 2 1/2 inch strip cutter for my borders...My favorite dies...all the strip cutters, squares, circles and my Tumbler die. The rest are ok, but could do without. I have a lot of applique dies and never really use them. Many are still in the wrappers. Well...Welcome Back!

welcome back !! i love my Go i use it to make all kinds of appliques, and squares.a few things i have learned are , dont put as much fabric in as they say start with double thickness and work your way up till you are comfortable , because the more thickness you have the harder the crank is to turn ( play with it to find out), you can fan fold your fabric to put on just a single pattern if you want, , make sure before or after you use a die that there is no fabric "stuck" in the die along the cutting edge if there is use the pick to pick it out or your next cut wont cut all the way thru , also >>this one i found out the hard way !!> i accidently leaned my hand on the cutter part of the die !! wow those things are sharp just play with it and you will love it !!!

As far as the applique' goes, I would make a couple of hot pads or a small wall hanging first, until you get the hang of it. Read the how to instructions first to get a better understanding of applique'. I brought a book at JoAnns on applique. There may be some videos or instructions on the board here.

Welcome home

SEw glade to have you back!!!!!!!I love my accuquilt!!!!

I am so sorry for the past pain. I am glad you are back. On the auquilter I don't have one. But on the eagle I love LOVE your idea . The raw edge is a little more durable. Think about folding clothes on, dog jumping on, and sitting on the eagle. Washing etc. , how will it be use? That will help solve problem and answer the question.

Welcome back and glad you feel like quilting again. I think a large eagle would be too big, imo. The idea of fusing it down sounds like a good idea. Then, you could quilt or do as much in the wings (feathers) as you would like. Good luck and post often so we can see how it is going.

Welcome back. Please post a photo of your quilt when it is done.

Welcome back! I love my Accuquilt - don't know why I took so long to buy one. Just cut 2 layers until it is 'broken in.' It's a bit stiff at first. After a while you can add more layers. One of the first things I did was a top with lots of HSTs. I put the fabrics right-sides-together & picked them up and sewed them. No matching corners etc. And the dog ears are already cut off. It makes HSTS so easy that you'll never avoid them again.

We're all different as to what we love it for, but I've noticed that most of us like the 2-12 inch stripper. I use mine for both borders and for bindings. If you have 15 dies, you are well set up to cut just about anything. Have fun!

Glad to hear such a recommendation. I wanted to know about the basic dies for basic quilts. I really like the tumble quilt. My DH will help if he can do some basic things....bring me food, drinks, and provide all the hugs and support. But, now I actually can get him more involved. I want to make a light weight quilt for summer and want to have him help in the process. He's very helpful picking colors and small patterns.

Love my Go! cutter - especially the strips. I have all the way from 1-1/2" to 6" strip cutter. Looooooove it. Regarding the eagle - I think it would look good centered on your queen size quilt. Maryanne Fonze (Fonze & Porter) did a quilt to give to a service person and it had a really large eagle in the center. It was beautiful. Be sure & post pictures. Oh, about the mats for the Go! when it gets really, really really hard to roll thru the cutter - it's time to change to a new one. Ask me how I know.

I'm so sorry for your problems but I've learned in life that times such as those truly make us stronger and able to put problems in their respective pockets. What once bothered us now seem like small change compared to what others are going through or what we've just come though.

The Accuquilt company has a website with video's. Jump in and begin cutting. You're going to love the machine.