dray965

I have purchased a Bailey Pro 15" with a sit-down table which hasn't arrived yet. No...I won't be using a frame, but will using it like a regular domestic machine that has it's feed dogs lowered. I will be using the foot pedal to control the speed. I'll practice for a while before I quilt on something 'nice' but I already have a question that's worrying me.

The quilt that I'm eager to quilt using it has channel stitches as part of the quilting that I'm going to do on it. I will also need to stitch-in-the-ditch. The quilt is a queen and too big for my 6-1/2 inch throat on my Bernina (which is why I bought the Bailey in the first place).

So how am I to do that on the Bailey? I did a search on this board for the answer and someone had said that you couldn't do a stitch-in-the-ditch on a long/mid arm machine. Oh no...surely not...if not how are they handling that? How are they straight stitching?

I read that you have to use a ruler to straight stitch...is that right? CrimeanWar, that means I have to buy something else? <sigh> Seems like it never ends. LOL

My set-up will be the Bailey Pro 15" and a Bernina Activia 240. I planned to quilt on the Bailey and piece tops on the Bernina.

Remembering that I will be sitting down and using the foot pedal, can someone give me best advise on how to handle what I need to do?

Tartan

​There are extra thick rulers to stitch along for straight line stitching. The trick about SITD is that seams are rarely perfectly straight.

QuiltE

I don't know the machine and any effects it has ... though when using my DMS for FMQ when I finish off the FMQ, I often straight stitch around the outside edges of the quilt to stabilize before binding. It's not that hard ... you just have to have a steady hand to guide it and watch how fast you move the fabric. Same skils as regular FMQ except you're not moving in assorted directions.

So ... I would think there'd be no reason why you can't SITD ............. in essence that's what my LAQ does when she SITD for the sashing in my quilts, as she just does it freehand without any rulers for guides.

crashnquilt

My sister has the HQ16 sit down model with foot pedal. She does stitch in the ditch all the time. The only difference in your set up and a frame is you are moving the quilt and not the machine head. I am not real sure as to how you would use rulers with a sit down model. When my sister gets to the area she wants to do straight stitching she will mark the area with lines and then stitch over the lines.
I strongly suggest you get a pair of MACHINEGERS gloves. These are lightweight gloves that have rubberized fingertips. They grip the fabric as you are moving it. Also, the glove feels like a "support hose" for your hands and helps ease some of the stress on your wrists.
When you do get things all set up, get yourself some muslin and batting and make a quilt "sandwich" and just practice for a bit before starting on a quilt. When we set up my sister's machine we did the muslin quilt and put black thread in the bobbin and red thread in the needle. This will help you get acquainted with moving quilt to speed of the machine.
Hope this information helps and have fun with your machine.
Oh, one other VERY IMPORTANT tip for you.............BE SURE TO BREATHE!

Quiltingnana4

I have a HQ16 stand up . I am using ruler base and straight ruler for cross hatching. I go along fine then it's like the base is hitting something. It makes line go crooked. I look under and can not see what it's catching on. Any ideas?