sandpat

The size of your sewing room can't be the problem...I just now moved out of the laundry room (on top of the washer) after 2 yrs. I did queen size quilts in there! I now have a table backed into a corner and I'm thinking that I may take my machine back to the washer top when I get ready to do the quilting on the queen size I'm working on now. :wink: :lol:

You'll figure out the best way for you...just keep learning girl! :lol: :lol:

Elizabeth A.

The best tip I've gotten for quilting in a standard sewing machine (which I do in my little Elna which only has a 6.5" throat) was to have a chair or small table next to the the end of your sewing table. This will help take the weight off.

Also don't Pull the quilt, help guide and feed it through (your muscles with swear your doing more than that but what do they know?). I'm certain you're on the right track here, I have done a Queen quilt in my little machine and didn't hesitate for a moment to start a king. You can try making your stitch length a bit shorter. This will amount to smaller stitches all over, for the most part the stitch in the ditch stitches sink into the quilt and can hardly be seen anyway.

Relax you can do this. If your sewing machine has an adjustable pressure foot you might try adding more pressure to help with the pull, but if not don't worry about it. My little Elna doesn't have that feature and works fine without it, but my Brother machine has it and does need adjusted depending on the project.

If it is the weight you can sort of feel the quilt pull a little bit off the edge of the machine. If that's what is happening adjust the quilt a bit until the pull/drag feeling is a bit less.

sewsewquilter

Don't give up you can do it! You have gotten some great advice. You might need to use the walking foot the help with the weight of the quilt. And as someone said once the quilt is washed you really won't see to much of the stitching. If you can get the weight of the quilt up to the same level as your machine.

Don't forget to post pictures. We will love to see your quilt.

Mrs. Mel

You guys are the best. Thanks for being so encouraging. You all make me feel like I could conquor Mount Everest. I am actually sewing in my furnace room Sandpat, but I am working on a big desk. I have a huge light overtop, so I can see well.

I promise I'll post pics when its done.

GailG

I use a walking foot and I still get the tiny stitches sometimes. I sew on a Janome MC 4000. On this last one, I could hear something like a "whirring belt" or something. Will have to take it to the doctor befoe I strip everything that is in there. Sorry I jumped in, but I think these are related. :oops:

Kara

I'm with the rest of the ladies....

Even-feed foot and keeping the weight of that quilt supported.

Also, don't try to do too long of stretches. I find if I "push" it, I get stitches that are too long (when I'm starting a stretch) and too short (when I am ending a stretch and I'm litterally trying to push the monster through the machine).

GailG

I have a small space. What I did to quilt the last one was pull up a small table next to the left of the machine. Then behind the machine, I stacked some of my fabric bins to catch the weight there. It worked out fine. Don't give up. Just think about the treasure you will have when you are done. Rome wasn't built in a day. :lol: