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.

Stand up to quilt? What a great idea! In all the FMQ classes I've been no no one ever suggested that, but it makes perfect sense when you have to move a big quilt! I have a large area around my machine, but sitting down I can't really do much with it, and throwing the quilt over my shoulder and mushing it on my lap/chest only goes so far.

Thanks!

I had the same problem until I bought an oven liner and a pair of garden gloves! I place the oven liner down, mark where my needle will enter and put a quarter inch hole there. I do use a little scotch tape on a couple places to keep it from shifting. My garden gloves help me move the quilt. Problems solved for under $10!

It is very hard to move the bulk of a large quilt as compared to moving a baby or twin quilt. The weight of a large quilt will way it down making it harder to move. Also using pins will add to the weight of the quilt making it hard to move. Actuall I use 505 spraybasting.. I am one who used the foam made into a extension table and really like it. It supports the quilt if you pile it up so quilt does not hang down. Also it is hard work to quilt a large quilt- do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

also it is important to use gloves that have "dots" on them that help you move the quilt. Also make sure you feed dogs are completely down when doing FMQ. As for SID- I use invisibkle thread on the top so my stitches are not easily seen.

Here is the link for the cheap sewing table. note- you can take this down if you want but I have the room to keep it up all the time. It is a great work surface all the time.

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

I found that standing up to quilt relieves a lot of stress from my shoulders and back. Had a lot of physical problems when quilting sitting down; tried a back brace, etc. When quilting standing up I found that all of those problems went away, which meant I could quilt for longer periods of time without having to worry about problems the next day.

Yes the gloves work great along with the other tips above. Good luck! There is nothing more frustrating than a quilt that won't go where you want when FMQ'ing

To do FMQ, lower the feed dogs, lessen the pressure on the foot, turn all the way up. Wear gloves, I use the garden gloves with the rubber nubs. I use a 2x4' folding table on my left side to hold the excess quilt, to take the drag off it. Make sure you have enough quilt puddles around machine to prevent drag or it getting caught on a corner or something. I do all of this when I quilt.

I put two ironing boards at my DSM. Both have boards on them. One is in front of my machine and the other is at my left hand side, both the height of my sewing machine cabinet. I use Machingers gloves as well.

You can use car wax on the table to make it slide easier...


QUOTE=romille;6621786]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?[/QUOTE]

The Supreme Slider and Machingers Gloves really made a difference in my FMQ - so much easier. I "puddle" too and make sure the quilt is supported and not hanging off anywhere.

never heard of an oven liner! I use a shower curtain liner and I puddle.

Both the slider and the table are in the closet. Did not work well. Now have a table that my machine fits flush in.
Much better.
Still have to keep the pull off the quilt by keeping it loose in front of the machine.

I found two things - one, have the bulk of the quilt on a chair next to yours so it holds the weight of the quilt. Second, the quilt part you are sewing should be in your lap - making sure it does not weigh down the fabric as it goes through the walking foot. If it is pulled, the stitches get too small and are harder to remove, should that be necessary. There is a lot of re-positioning, but it does work.

I also use my ironing board. I also have a large extension for my Brothers NX 2000. Before I purchased my Brothers, I had a plexiglass platform made for my Pfaff. I use that now behind my Brothers so that I don't have those edges.

Also, I agree with the post regarding the small area for FMQ. I have to tell myself - take your time. You worked hard to piece this quilt now stop and start and reset and stop whining. (I whine a lot to myself.) Anyway, there really is a time to reset and sew. I have learned to love the process. It really helps. Good luck.

Also be sure you are using the right foot. When I first started I was using a foot that looked alot like a free motion foot but did not have the spring - it would not let me move the fabric even with the feed dogs down. It was miserable and so was I. The correct foot certainly helps.