Do I need a Supreme Slider?
 

I am learning FMQ and I spend a lot of time reading and trying to learn more. I have seen several mentions of the Supreme Slider, and at first I thought it was for machines that do not have the feed dog down feature. I have retractable feed dogs on all my machines, so I didn't think I needed a slider. Tell me if I am missing something.

The slider makes the surface slicker and makes the sandwich easier to move so it has nothing to do with your feed dogs as it covers them. I can attest that these devices make a huge difference. I have a sew slip II which is slightly larger than the queen slider and I used it all the time until I got my true glide overlay when I got my stitch regulator so I use that now. I also use machingers gloves and that also makes a huge difference

The slider is very slippery. It makes the quilt move without friction and less stress on your hands. It has nothing to do with feed dogs.

I have tried a Supreme Slider on a friend's machine. It does help heavy quilts move easily. I didn't purchase one, I found that my table supports the quilt enough. As long as your machine is dropped and there is enough table for the rest of the quilt, I don't think it's necessary.

I loved mine...until it slipped without me knowing and got quilted to my quilt. I didn't bother getting a new one. I have been doing fine without it.

I use the slider for all of my FMQ. Makes for smoother quilting for circles, spirals, etc. My machine is recessed in the table and has support for back and sides. I also use the Machingers gloves and much prefer them to the other types I tried. I will take all the help I can get:) And as others have said, nothing to do with feed dogs. It has an opening in it that fits around the area under your needle.

The Sewezi table is so smooth that I never noticed I hadn't used the slider.

All I have to do is remember to remove the tape residue from machine and table.

I have done large quilts with and without the slider. It is a big help to have it. It makes the area where you are actively quilting and moving the quilt much slicker and the quilt moves a lot more easily. Some folks who have their machines dropped into tables use a silicone spray for sewing which they apply to their machine beds and tables. I have tried this and it works pretty well, but it has to be reapplied frequently (at least for my machines/tables) and I worry about overspray getting into the oiling holes on my PQ1500s and VX560 which are the two I use for most of my fmq, so I prefer to use the slider.

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You definitely don't need it. I would for sure buy Machinger's (or something similar) before spending money on a Supreme Slider, and there are alternatives like Teflon baking sheets with a hole cut in the middle or sprays, but I personally really love quilting with mine.

I have never needed one either but you might consider the less expensive alternatives.

Even with a huge sewing table to support my quilt and my machine flush with the surface, for me, adding the Slider made it even easier to FMQ, much easier.

The Juki is set into the SewEzi table. The slider makes it hard to change the bobbin on the Juki. I had a Brother 1500 with the same type of problem, but fixed it by removing the bobbin cover door which is easily done on the Brother. Not so on the Juki with the way the door is hinged.

I have cats, can't control the cat hair as the cats are more important, and the sliders need to be taped down or frequently washed to stick. Taping them down makes a bobbin change worse.

If you have a bobbin top loader, you probably also have to move the slider. Front loading machines like my Pfaff 2170 are no problem.

As for using silicone spray - spray it onto a clean cloth, then rub it on table. No residue flying around to get into machine.

Have one but never use it. Just another gadget to spend money on.

I'd really like to try the teflon cookie sheet liner. Someone told me they just laid some of the cellophane (for wrapping gifts, not the food kind) on their sew table, and that worked. Some of those gadgets are just out of my price range.

I use a Teflon oven liner. I do find it helpful (and it was cheaper). I also use machingers. Those gloves make a huge difference for me.

I did the same thing. I was able to take the stitches out of mine.

I have supreme slider which makes it easier to move quit around ,however I have found that a teflon oven liner is so much larger and works much better. Bought mine at Walmart for just under 9 dollars.

I quilt on an old fashioned formica table, and wax the top occasionally...it slides so well that I had to put the left side next to a wall because the quilt kept sliding right off of it. My machine is also dropped down into a cut out in the table, so everything is flat, and slippery!

There is a product called carnuba wax that works really well. Just apply on a cloth and polish with another. Works really well.

I use stiff window plastic, taped to the machine platform, so that the quilt slides off at a slant toward the table, and put a shelf paper "cuff" around the fingers of each hand. I find that easier than pulling the machingers off and on to reposition. It's the flexible stuff that looks like little beads with holes between. Both ideas came from this board.

When I first got the Juki, I didn't sink it into the table because of the bobbin position, so it was very hard to move the quilt, even with the excellent (and smooth enough, so I thought) extended platform. I called the store, researched online, and tried everything I could think of. Finally, in despair, I appealed to the board, and several really experienced quilters reached out to help. I will always be grateful.

hugs,
Charlotte

I didn't understand what you meant by "put a shelf paper "cuff" around the fingers of each hand". Can you explain more? Thank you.

Hi, Mac -

I cut a rectangle of shelf liner and slide it over four fingers (as a group), with the safety pin on top of my hand. My thumbs are free. To reposition the quilt, I just flip them off. They are very grippy, and it's easy to adjust the size. I'm going to try to attach a picture.

hugs,
Charlotte

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Sorry about the mammoth picture. I don't know the trick for making it smaller. :(

Charlotte

I would be lost without mine Innov8R. I should mention I think it's important that you use carpenter's tape, or something to tape the four corners down. Ask me how I know after it folded over and I sewed right thought it. I ended up having to buy another Slider.

Thanks, Charlotte.

A picture is worth a 1,000 words. Great idea. I'll try it, as my hands always get sweaty in the gloves.

It is amazing what those shelf liners can be used for. I put one under my sewing pedal so it doesn't slip around.
My friend puts one under her sewing machine when she sews at a class, so that it doesn't vibrate and slip around.
Another friend, uses a small strip to put under her large ruler when she it rotary cutting so that the ruler won't slip around.
mac

I've been wondering the same thing since I'm also trying to learn FMQ. But I've bought the spray instead, to see if it works....though I admit I haven't used it because I've been busy with my star quilt project. If it makes the surface of my machine slick enough I won't buy the slider. But if you do, and love it, will you report back, please? I'd like the experience of a another FMQ rookie!

I'm cheap.

I just Armor Alled my work surface.

So far, so good.

I am not a fan of them. I personally don't think a person needs one. I had one and found I wasted my money on it.

I've been wanting to get a new one (I sewed through mine a couple of times, now I use a little tape along 2 edges so I don't have to keep checking that it is where it should be). But my Walmart does not seem to carry it any longer. I think I paid around $5 or $6 for mine several years ago.

FMQ is so much easier for me with the Queen size Supreme Slider. I have my machine in a SewEZ table as well. I just set the Supreme Slider on top and use Machingers. If I forget to put it on (which happens more often then you would think) I fight with the quilt and I cannot figure out why I am having to do so much work to make the quilt move. Then I realize that I have failed to use my Supreme Slider. Sure, you don't need it, but it makes life easier.