Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Scared of my longarm machine >
  • Scared of my longarm machine

  • Scared of my longarm machine

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 01-21-2013, 03:22 AM
      #31  
    Super Member
     
    Cindy60545's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Wills Point, Texas
    Posts: 2,543
    Default

    Originally Posted by leatheflea
    Thats ok, just take the machine off of it and the rollers, throw a table cloth over it and use it as a buffet table with all your favorite sewing snackables, make sure to invite plenty of friends, thats a long buffet table! LOL...

    Now get in there and load something on that frame and don't you come back till you have something to show us! You know you want to! We've all posted our quilts of shame and disappointment. Put on some music and just dance your way across that quilt. Don't make me pull out the book "The little engine that could". Go on now....we are waiting..
    Oh I so agree! You've been given some great advice here. That first quilt you load is the most intimidating. Doesn't matter whether it's an actual quilt or not, it just kind of dares you to do anything with it! Just grab those handles & start quilting. As others have said, none of us turned out perfect quilts in the beginning, we just keep going & trying to get what we have in our minds come out on the quilt. Put on some music & dance with your machine. Just for grins, I entered one of my practice quilts into our local show & it came home with a ribbon! I was just playing around & having fun! You can do it! Post us pictures of your progress, we've all been doing that & watched the evolution of some great quilting.
    Cindy60545 is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 04:20 AM
      #32  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2011
    Location: Central Pennsylvania
    Posts: 6
    Default

    I have a Tin Lizzie that my husband got me last summer and it took me a few months to get comfortable with it. I just
    kept practicing off and on and now I'm comfortable with it and have my first quilt almost done, should finish it today. Just hang in there and you'll soon be comfortable with it.
    Charlie 60 is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 04:56 AM
      #33  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: long island ny
    Posts: 1,337
    Default

    I love my LA>>>The mid arm machine I had before it hated me and rebelled allllll the time. I moved up and now "Wally" (a Martelli Lacreasta) and I are in love. It takes time and patience. Just go for it. Make practice junk, give it to the pound for the dog cages and keep going. One bright and glorious day it will all come together and you will be in love. But you have to date first. Get in there and play.
    jeanneb52 is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 04:58 AM
      #34  
    Super Member
     
    jmoore's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2011
    Location: Boothbay Maine
    Posts: 9,518
    Default

    First, I am envious that you have a long arm... I recently took a class on a beautiful AQS at a LQS, after you take the lesson, you are permitted to rent it by the hour. We first practiced on a solid piece of material with contrast thread so we could clearly see the stitches then I FMQ'd two table runners and really had a ball once I got in the groove.

    You'll be just fine!
    jmoore is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 05:10 AM
      #35  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Southern New Mexico
    Posts: 115
    Default

    When I first got my LA I used got a big piece of felt from the fabric store and loaded that. I Practiced, practiced and practiced on that. I think every inch is covered. It is really inexpensive and gets your muscle memory going. I keep that piece not just to see how far I've come but every once in a while I see a pattern I did that inspires me for the piece I am doing now. I agree about using two very different colors of thread so that you can see how your tension is doing. I would also get a couple of different brands of thread and try them out because some machines are a little temper mental with certain threads. What machine did you get????
    kbeuchert is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 05:52 AM
      #36  
    Senior Member
     
    Noiseynana's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2011
    Location: Western Arkansas
    Posts: 627
    Default

    Originally Posted by OKLAHOMA PEACH
    Try one of your LQS that give lessons, with guidance maybe the fear will be taken away.
    Ya know you could just spend some time there and ask if you could just watch for a while. I get a lot more out of watching than I can reading about it. Of course thats just me
    Noiseynana is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 06:33 AM
      #37  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: Rustburg, VA
    Posts: 621
    Default

    I am trying to work through the same feelings that you are experiencing. I was watching a QNN tv eipsode recently and learned about Skill Builders. http://www.rgadesignquilts.com/store...products_id=16 I think I will try this as a jumping off place to practice.
    BettyM is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 06:48 AM
      #38  
    Super Member
     
    Lady Jane's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Location: Westland, Mi., originally Mississippi
    Posts: 3,825
    Default

    Just jump in feet first , and keep telling yuourself I CAN DO THIS, I CAN DO THIS!!!
    Lady Jane is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 09:41 AM
      #39  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2012
    Location: Centralia, Kansas
    Posts: 4
    Default

    DonnaR. I understand where you are coming from. I have a short arm and was afraid of it. All the advise you got is great and I know I still am not good. but better than I was at first. I have 2 quilts to do for my granddaughters for their gratuation and I am not sure I should try my quilting machine, I have had it sence July, or just do it buy hand. I quess I'll just practice some more.
    maryholt is offline  
    Old 01-21-2013, 07:10 PM
      #40  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2013
    Location: Florida
    Posts: 3,832
    Default

    When I first got my LA, we lived in a 90 y/o house, in the country and everyting got covered in dust faster than I dusted, so I wanted it protected. I bought 90" wide muslin long enought to completly cover the table & machine x2. Sandwiched it with batting and loaded that machine. I practiced all kinds of pantos, FMQ and so did my friends. We had a lot of fun. I'd go over the same stitches several times, then roll it up and have a fresh go of it. By the time I'd quilted 5 yards of muslin I was ready to quilt any charity quilts the guild had. Many years later, I still am learning. But, my circles are round, not rounded off squares, I can tell when there's a thread problem from the sound of the machine, and I've got a great spread for Gretchen. Oh! Yeh! We're on a first name basis!
    petthefabric is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    kbishburg
    Introduce Yourself
    53
    10-30-2011 02:43 PM
    seasaw2mch
    Main
    24
    07-14-2011 10:23 AM
    Naturalmama
    Main
    24
    01-05-2010 09:31 AM
    momto4
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    29
    01-01-2010 04:39 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter