My sewing machine is in a cabinet that sits up against a wall. I was machine quilting and having a hard time managing the fabric. I pulled the cabinet out from the wall and put the ironing board (adjusted to height) between the two.

This is not my original idea, I read it somewhere, but it works like a charm.

What is your favorite tip?

Judy

Judy, I used to use the ironing board set to my left to hold the weight of the quilt while machine quilting. I still struggled because the weight of the quilt would sometimes fall off the ironing board causing me to lose my rhythm. One day I purchased one of those sewing tables at a thrift shop with the well for the machine. I set it up in the dining room next to the table, and another bright light went off. Trust me this doesn't happen often. I got out a folding table and set that one in front of the sewing table so that the machine was sandwiched between the two. I know what you thinking, 'how in the world would this work?' Well, put your chair at the head of the machine! After rolling up your quilt sandwich, and sitting at head of machine, you now have equal surfaces to take the weight. I can free motion or use my walking foot to stitch in ditch or do grid work from this set up. I am always amazed when one of my ideas works! :lol:

Boo,
So once you surround yourself with the tables, ironing board, etc, you are actually facing the left side of your machine, rather than in front as we usually do. Right? Suzanne

Exactly, Suz. I roll up the quilt from both sides. Then I begin in the middle and work my way out. When I am through with the roll under the machine, then it gets turned around with the new roll placed in the keyhole. This method has given me more control and less stress. I also wear gloves called Machingers, but any glove for traction works. The dollar store sells gardening gloves with those dots on them. If you find that you are actually dragging the quilt on the table, use some spray polish or wax. This isn't rocket science, just a method I stumbled on that works for me.
PS--no ironing board with this one. The tables are one in front of machine and one in back of machine. Then I sit on head end of machine.

Not following - please help. Normally, when straight sewing, I sit with the head of the sewing machine pointing left. The stitching seam is flowing perpendicular from me to the machine. The throat of the machine is to my right.

Are you saying that when you free motion, the machine is rotated so that you are facing it head on? That doesn't make sense to me if you are in the same position to SID. So I am quite confused.

I need more prepositions, please. Once I've lost my bearings, left, right, front and back just confuse me.

:!: Hi Boo, I had to re-read a couple times too to get it but once I did I flipped out. Being a newbie & just kinda testing the water on a little bit of machine quilting here and there, cause I haven't done much and don't want to ruin it totally or rip out for a night and a half, this is an awesome idea. It is so unconventional, yet so simple. Like they say, keep it simple stupid.....usually works. I am definitely going to give this a shot, and since I've not done much at all I won't have to unlearn a method to relearn this way. I had heard about the polish to keep it sliding, just wipe, wipe, wipe it off. I may have something I can add. These old hands and wrists think they have done enough for me over the years and now like to kick up on me when trying to grab, turn, hold tight, push, etc......I found that rubber finger tips from the office work good. Leaves your hands free so to speak but gives your fingers more grip so you can get away with using less pressure. A box of them, come in small, medium, large at office supply stores, is pretty inexpensive. 8) Betty

I can't get this straight. Could some one sketch it out and scan it. or set it out using x's and a f for front of machine......... :roll:

I am awful at drawing but may try later. Okay, I sit facing the left end of machine. Remember the needle just goes up and down. It has no direction. When free motion quilting you are the one deciding what direction you are sewing. When you are doing a walking foot for straight lines, you are just moving the fabric from rt. to lt. instead of front to back. For those of you who are still confused, I will figure some sort of sketch when I get home from the shop tonight. Wrapping your head around a foriegn idea is something I struggle with also, so that I need to see it to understand it. Please bear with me, it worth the wait. :lol: In the mean time, have a piece of chocolate.

I've meandered from this position before and it seems like you can do a larger area before you have to reposition the quilt, it is hard to get used to looking at things from that angle.

Hi Ruth Camp
Imagine your sewing machine and the face of a clock. When you sew, you have your machine in 2:45 position and parallel to your body; the needle side of your sewing machine is the #9. Are you following me? If you are not, do not keep reading because you will be more confused! Now, rotate your sewing machine to the 12:30 position and perpendicular to your body; the needle side is the #6 and the closest to you. Does it make sense now?
Lucia

Hi Ruth Camp
Imagine your sewing machine and the face of a clock. When you sew, you have your machine in 2:45 position and parallel to your body; the needle side of your sewing machine is the #9. Are you following me? If you are not, do not keep reading because you will be more confused! Now, rotate your sewing machine to the 12:30 position and perpendicular to your body; the needle side is the #6 and the closest to you. Does it make sense now?
Lucia

Perfect, Lucia. I had considered doing that but hadn't tried it. Thanks, all.

Glad I could help! :D
Lucia

OK I think I have it now.....I will try all ideas as I am just starting machine quilting. I have made three quilts so far.I started almost a year ago

The three pics I have sent should help you see how the machine sets. Hope it helps.
I've been quilting for thirt-nine years and this is the best way of quilting.
If your sewing machine is on a large table 6 to 8 feet long, just turn your machine 1/4 turn to the right like in the picture attached.
Di

Thank you for sending the pics. I have had so much going on with the forum, the holidays, the shop oh i could go on, but why bother? Trust me I just forgot. :roll: The only difference is my machine sits in the well of the sewing table, with one table in front and one behind, so that I have a flat surface on which to move the quilt. As I stated previously, I roll the quilt sandwich towards the center and begin quilting in the center. As I complete the center area I roll towards myself and continue in this manner until there is nothing left. At this point reroll the finished part of quilt and reinsert the unfinished side in the keyhole. Continue to roll towards yourself until the quilting complete.
Now with the pictures you sent, my words may actually make some sense. :lol: Thanks again.

Thanks so much for your pictures and time, It helps tremendously.

Here's a picture that may help. Sorry, someone's already beat me to it.

So Boo, I almost understand LOL. Do you go from one end of the roll to the other before you re-roll or un-roll?

kathy

re the sitting & sewing machine position for machine quilting, can someone take a pic & post it??? I'm still confused, thanks!!! :wink:

Maria, read the notes under the pictures and pretend your sitting in a chair at the machine

Yes I quilt all I can that is exposed in the middle, such as a meander, then I work my way by rolling towards me. When that side totally complete, then I reroll the finished part and place the unfinished part in the keyhole and procceed as before.
I don't currently have a camera, but will try to borrow one to show my set up for machine quilting. I have a folding table the same height as my kitchen table. So the machine table with the well sets between them. No more weight issues. :lol:

OK My husband is about to cut a hole in a table and I have to be sure we get it in the right place.
kathy

OMG, I sure hope you are kidding! check the thrift stores in your area for a sewing table with the well in it. I got mine at one and it also folds for storage, although I rarely use that feature. LOL :lol:

Well Boo thrift would be nice but I'm WAY out in the sticks and work 65-80 hrs every week so it's easier this way. He's building the table.

[b]
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Good ideas and GREAT description Lucia, got it clear in my head now. I will not be doing that when carpenter hubby is around, I'm angling for new quilting table and side table......what he doesn't know won't hurt me, right? :?:

MimiSharon :wink:

This is a very good explanation! Next time I need to do a big project, I am going to try this. Thanks!

Think of the sewing machine like your car, normally you would be facing it like you do to get in to drive. Now instead you are face the headlight end and moving your roll of quilt from right to left. Hope that helps.

These ideas have given me new hope that I will actually be able to quilt without having to purchase a long arm. I have always struggled with machine quilting my projects.

I am ready to try the table and ironing board trick this very moment.

VERY EXCITING!!!!!!

:wink: Cool Idea I found in the Back!!!

Sorry, I am new to quilting. What is a sewing table with a well in it?
ChampionChicka

Artquilter... thanks for finding this.

I like this idea of repositioning for free motion. I think I'll try it.

Chicka....A well in a table means there is an actual cut-out hole that the sewing machine fits into so that the needle foot area is level with the machine. The fabric lies flat since it doesn't have to go up and over the whole base of the machine. Since my shoulder surgeries, I found I needed my machine lowered so I found an old well table at a thrift store. Although my machine fits, I want it removable rather than held on by the attaching hardware so hubby built a shelf under the well hole to put machine at the perfect level. When I'm not sewing, there is a side table that is attached and can be folded over to hide machine in the well and be like a nice piece of furniture. I'll need that when I have to move to the tiny apt and leave my lovely quilting room. Anyway, can you picture it now?
Cathy

I'm not so sure I could get used to quilting in the ditch with the machine in that position, but it looks like a super idea for free motion!

For an easy, NIFTY, and cheap recessed quilt table, check out this video from youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14go...eature=related

That is how I am planning to build mine.

here's my tip - its not mine but i made this and it works like a charm.

i'm doing free motion quilting on a king size quilt with total ease - i never would have been able to do that without this set up.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25v3ZTk0

This is just like what position the machine is in when you use a quilting table that your machine fits onto. I think this is a great idea. I am glad you brought it up from the rears.

What a great idea. I'll try this.

I'm going to try this too!!! Thanks for bringing it back up! :D