***CALLING ALL LONGARM QUILTERS***....pretty please???
 

I have just recently bought an A1 Longarm (by the way I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!) any tips you can share on using rulers for SID? ie., speed you go at when doing this, thread you use etc etc...Im currently practicing this on a charity quilt...it sure takes me a long time;););)...finding it somewhat frustrating... Thanking you in advance.

SID is the hardest thing to do on a longarm. It is better to do freehand meander to start. Then learn ruler work, but do not try to stay in the ditch.

I recently took the Craftsy class on ruler work by Kimmy Bruner. I can't remember if she specifically addressed SID. I guess I need to take the class again - which I intended to do anyway, because it was a good class and now I want to practice some of the things learned.

First, SID is very hard to do with a longarm and takes a long time. Take your time and remember that the low side of the seam is the side you stitch on. I know that sounds like a no brainer but I just learned this after longarming for two years. Linda V. Taylor says that you will never be fast at it so don't try. Good luck and have fun.

Congrats on you machine!!!! Everyone is right SID is rough on a longarm. Ruthie is so right take your time and the low side of the seam is the side you stitch on.

Congrats on your new A-1! :) SID just takes a while to perfect. It's practice, practice, practice! :)

I also have an A1 and I love mine to. You will need and extend base to do ruler work. I Never SID. Too hard and I have quilted for 10 yrs. If the quilt was an Heirloom and the customer had a zillion dollars I might consider it. The speed I use for most ruler work is 2-3 in cruse.

What does "low side of the seam" mean?

The side of the seam that does not have the fabric pressed seam on it. You can feel it and see it. I tried Sid with a ruler and without and picked stitches, so to make a strip quilt look ok, I use my hoping foot as a guide and go a speed I am comfortable with. I know la quilters that can do it so well, but not me. Take your time and practice, practice practice.

Thank you all for the great advice. I actually turned my speed down to 1 on cruise....Im getting it, but your right...it takes a long time but I can see it will get easier with practice for sure. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL :)