Turning machine sideways for quilting ???
 

I have a Babylock domestic machine ... will be quilting ( pantographs ) a quilt soon ... heard something about turning your machine sideways for quilting, making it easier - less bunching in the machine throat ??? Do you know what I mean ?! I need more info on this before I attempt it !!! HELP !!

You will still end up with a portion of the quilt in the machine throat - but would be facing the machine as though it is on a frame. I imagine that if you are able to place it in the center of a table, you could support the quilt on both sides of the needle instead of tossing some of it over your shoulder or however you support it. But I don't think it will reduce the bunching.

Cheers, K

I saw a thread last year about this topic. She posted a picture of her set up. It looked prettty cool, she had tables on both sides. I will look for it.

It would probably work great on the borders, but you'd still have to roll it up to get it thru the harp.

I just found this thread which shows the setup better than the one I saw last year.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...le-t52581.html

There was also a setup shown sometime in the last year or so where the person built up the sewing surface around her machine with thick foam boards.

Cheers, K

certainly it would work, that's how the Flynn Frame works, he just turns the machine sideways and inserts the frame into the throat. because the frame has a bit of structure, he uses pvc under each side to let the frame roll smoothly as you move the quilt to stitch it....

I find it easier to move the fabric through the machine from left to right than front to back. I do have it all supported on either side of my machine. This works best if you are FMQ. I suppose you could do the same for straight line sewing (SITD) but you would only be able to sew in one direstion. This is really helpful if you are doing a pantograph across one full width of the quilt.

Very interesting set-up she made for her machine, looks good too. I wonder how this would feel quilting that way.

How do you use pantographs on a domestic machine?

I find a pantograph that is a fairly simple line design and just do it freehand. If it is flowers and leaves, I find a block or pattern on my quilt that is a repeat across it to get the spacing right. If there are no repeated patterns to follow, I measure out the spacing and put a sticky dot where I want the motif to land. Is it as precise as an actual panto? no but it works for me.

I tried it and didn't care for it, I guess because for years I've done it the other way.

thanks for showing that. i may try that for smaller quilts. i have a frame for larger quilts, but it requires some setup due to space limitations :)

Yes, that is the one I remembered!

Here is where I found the info .... I will try this method next week !!! She shows how to do it in the video !!
http://www.goldenthreads.com/shop/category/pantographs/

This is how I quilt. It stops the quilt hitting against the screen and accidentally changing the settings, there is plenty of room on either side to manouvre the quilt and you can support it a bit better if you have a long table and sit the machine in the middle.When I use a quilting bed, my middle arm machine sits the same way. It is a good way to do it.

Same here. Guess I've been doing it too long & don't feel comfortable changing:)

I tired the Flynn thing...and could not function properly with my machine foot facing sideways...drove me nuts to be able to see what the machine was doing..

About 15 years ago or so I saw Flynn demonstrating his frame at Rd to CA. Because DH was so handy I just bought the parts. DH put it together except for the pvc which I intended to buy. Never did it. I have been wanting to learn to MQ so I might finish a quilt one of these days. The frame is still in the garage (not even the same garage I had all those years ago)gathering dust. I am now inspired to try it and if the frame itself doesn't work for me I'll just have to learn FMQ. Now that the marking pens can be irradicated by use of steam iron perhaps that's the answer for this old broad with shakey hands.

Jane in NC with Kit and Rocky

It works OK, I used to do that on my regular machine, before I got my HQ16. Mine sits in a table so I do all my quilting with the head of the machine facing me. So I didn't have to learn a new technique. It does take a bit of practice though.

with faq, i take the foot completely or use the Big Foot which is round... you simply have to put the presser foot down ...

I like that "Golden Threads" reference - it was quite informative, thank you Miz Mary.

Marysewfun

when you quilt on a short arm frame the machine is turned sideways...works well.