Joanieu

even on the new machine - yesterday and a little bit this morning I have tried machine quilting SID around the border of one of my quilts. I tried with and without the even foot, even tried using the quilting stitches (I have a Brother SQ9000) and even just the regular straight stitch. I kept having to use the ripper and remove the stitching.. Jack the Ripper even attacked me a few times. I do not know what I am doing wrong, which is probably everything. So I decided that I will just continue to piece by machine and bind using the machine, but the rest will be hand quilted. I thought I would try machine quilting so I can get some of the quilts done faster, but not working out... Plus even if I did get it to work, I would still hand quilt most projects anyway. Thanks for letting me vent.... :)

katier825

What is it that you don't like and are ripping out? Have you tried a stitch in the ditch foot? You're probably being too hard on yourself. Once the quilt is washed, most of what you perceive as imperfections aren't so noticeable!

Scissor Queen

Usually when I start something new I give it more than a day and a half before I decide to quit. Make some smaller things and practice! You wouldn't expect to be Rembrandt the first time you picked up a paintbrush!!

Happy Treadler

Hey Joanie, don't give up! I still really enjoy hand quilting, but it sure is nice to be able to whip out a quilt a lot faster on the machine. I use all vintage machines, and have practiced enough to be able to fm quilt on my treadle. Make yourself a bunch of little quilt sandwiches from leftover fabric & batting and practice practice practice. Once you get the hang of it, it's a lot of fun.

ckcowl

it takes practice, no one can just sit down and machine quilt a whole quilt first off. you should start with small projects, like pot holders or placemats when you have mastered those then move up to a wallhanging and keep practicing...working your way up to a whole quilt. it just takes practice

Joanieu

The stitches look too small and look like they are all crumped together plus I am not able to keep the stitches in the ditch. It just looks too messy - I am trying it on the quilt I am making for myself.

Joanieu

Now, your are probably right - I should start with a pot holder then maybe I can figure it out. I guess the 2 I am working on now I will just finish them with hand quilting. I just want to be able to do some quilts for family a little faster.

thepolyparrot

Does your machine have a way to increase the pressure on the presser foot?

It sounds like there's not enough pressure to move the fabric through the feed dogs.

Joanieu

You guys are right, I do need to start out with something small or just make small quilt sandwiches and practice. I am just a little impatient when it comes to certain things, thinking I can do it all right away.

Joanieu

Not sure - its suppose to adjust the pressure automatically, but I need to read up on that. Plus isn't that what the evenfoot (walking foot) does? I will check that out thanks.