Trouble moving quilt
 

I am still pretty new at quilting, so I could use your help figuring out what I am doing wrong.

I have a twin sized quilt that I am trying to quilt, but am having a heck of a time getting the quilt to move well. This is the largest quilt I have ever done. I did two quilts on my old machine, and didn't have this issue, although those were crib and lap sized. The first quilt was stitch in the ditch, the second was a meander.

I did two crib quilts on my new machine as well, one in the hoop and one with just straight lines. I was excited to quilt this one, but I am just having trouble getting it to move. I tried in the ditch, and am having trouble keeping the stitches in the ditch (despite buying the STITD foot) because the quilt just doesn't want to move well. I also tried moving it around free motion, but it is just stubborn.

I had a sew steady table on the old machine, so I thought maybe it would help if I got one for the new one; I ordered the "giant" table, but it didn't come with a polishing kit so it isn't quite as slippery as my last one. I will have to pick up something to make it slippery-er soon.

My new machine is taller... maybe that is part of the problem? I don't have a proper sewing table, so I have been camping at the kitchen table... and now that I have replaced my tiny Bernette with a Pffaf Creative Performance things are a bit higher up.

Would rearranging my house to fit a real sewing table help?? I need to do this anyway, I just haven't figured out how I want to redo things to find the room for a proper sewing area. I think I just need a new house!

Should I get one of those slippery mats like the Supreme Slider?

When I used my domestic machine to quilt, I found it *very* helpful to have a slick, smooth surface all around the machine. This was what worked for me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25v3ZTk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0lk7UBQgZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwrA6...S0W_XGetgVinHQ

Also, I found that I did much better standing up to quilt. My cutting table was exactly the right height for me to stand while machine quilting. The styrofoam "surround" created a much larger surface to support the quilt than just an extension table with or without the slider.

Some people use turtle wax or silicone spray on their flat surfaces to make them more slippery; however, I'm not sure how this works on difference surfaces (such as the plastic of the typical sewing machine bed, other types of plastic, wood, etc.).

I don't have a supreme slider, but I use pledge on the work area of my machine before I FMQ. And someone on here used a large piece of foam board with a cutout for her machine that basically makes a table really big so it will support your quilt. I'll try to find the link for you.

If you google 'foam board quilting table', you'll see a bunch of ideas for making a "sewing table". Good luck!

Rather than buy an expensive table maybe invest in some Lifetime tables, I don't like the folding ones though. They do fold up nicely for storage as you won't need them often.

A good sewing cabinet so the machine is at the right height for you is the best investment other than the sewing machine. Next is a good chair that fits you and is the right height.

While I do have a small cabinet it is more than adequate for most things. When I need more space for a quilt then I start getting out my Lifetime 2' x 4' tables.

You might be able to make use of your ironing board to help support the weight of the quilt. I set mine up along the side of my sewing desk, with the end sticking out like a peninsular to my left. I can reach out and touch it with my left arm. I then adjust the height so it is the same height as my sewing desk. It really makes quilting easier for me. I mainly use SID or straight lines, so I don't know who this would help with any other way of quilting. (I bought a sewing machine extension table, but my quilts sort of get stuck under the edge, and it is just one more step to free the quilt before I can continue sewing. The ironing board works better for me.)

Good luck. You will figure out what works for you.

Dina

I've pledged my work area also, works great! I've also used my ironing board to help hold the weight of a quilt. Scroll down on this link to see a picture of how this works. http://www.notonlyquilts.com/2011/03...5-and-fmq.html

I agree with Tartan, gather a puddle of quilt to work on. Make sure it isn't hanging down in front of you, over the edge of your table. All you have to move is the quilt that is gathered into your workspace.

I like the Quilters machiner's gloves that help grip the fabric.