Why is this so hard for me??
04-23-2018, 10:55 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,136
From my experience, what you are describing is normal. Machines are not made to sew tight curves, they are made to sew in straight lines. So if you want to do tight curves, you have to work around the machine.
I'd lower the foot pressure and use heavy stabilizer underneath. the stabilizer will help to limit the feed dogs so that you can pivot more easily, You may still have to lift and adjust in tighter corners. If you have the option to partially lower the feed dogs, do that too. Or drop them all together and do it free motion.
Starching will work like the stabilizer does, it's going to help hold the fabric stable while you are trying to move the fabric in a different direction then the feed dogs want to move it.
Doing stuff like this is why I love my knee lift, a slight pressure with my knee, adjust the fabric with hands, move knee, sew a few stitches and repeat. on the Juki it's mechanical so you can raise it just a tiny bit and lower back down. On my Desitiny it works more like a switch, so you can't lift it just a tiny bit and put it back down.
I'd lower the foot pressure and use heavy stabilizer underneath. the stabilizer will help to limit the feed dogs so that you can pivot more easily, You may still have to lift and adjust in tighter corners. If you have the option to partially lower the feed dogs, do that too. Or drop them all together and do it free motion.
Starching will work like the stabilizer does, it's going to help hold the fabric stable while you are trying to move the fabric in a different direction then the feed dogs want to move it.
Doing stuff like this is why I love my knee lift, a slight pressure with my knee, adjust the fabric with hands, move knee, sew a few stitches and repeat. on the Juki it's mechanical so you can raise it just a tiny bit and lower back down. On my Desitiny it works more like a switch, so you can't lift it just a tiny bit and put it back down.
04-23-2018, 11:48 AM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 775
Originally Posted by Rhonda K
That block and pattern are lovely. I'm sure you can master it.
Does your sewing machine have a "pivot function" for sewing?. Basically, when you lift-up on the foot pedal, the needle stays down in the fabric and the pressure foot lifts. Some machines have it.
This lets you stop the stitching and move (or turn) the quilting piece under the needle area.
Next, are you using a foot pedal? Some machines have a button to start/stop the stitching and the foot pedal is optional.
Dome like a knee lift too. I haven't bonded with it yet.
The other options you might try is to make sure the fabrics are starched well. As in almost stiff as a board starched.
Go slow with stitching and you will get a feel for the stopping and turning. It's not easy but practice as you are doing now.
Does your sewing machine have a "pivot function" for sewing?. Basically, when you lift-up on the foot pedal, the needle stays down in the fabric and the pressure foot lifts. Some machines have it.
This lets you stop the stitching and move (or turn) the quilting piece under the needle area.
Next, are you using a foot pedal? Some machines have a button to start/stop the stitching and the foot pedal is optional.
Dome like a knee lift too. I haven't bonded with it yet.
The other options you might try is to make sure the fabrics are starched well. As in almost stiff as a board starched.
Go slow with stitching and you will get a feel for the stopping and turning. It's not easy but practice as you are doing now.
04-23-2018, 11:54 AM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 775
Originally Posted by Jane Quilter
how about starching the flowers "stiff as boards", sew them down, and wash the quilt when you are completely done....the starch will wash out, and the edges will softly fray.
04-23-2018, 12:07 PM
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Originally Posted by Jane Quilter
how about starching the flowers "stiff as boards", sew them down, and wash the quilt when you are completely done....the starch will wash out, and the edges will softly fray.
04-23-2018, 12:16 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 775
Well, the machine is a Janome DC 1050, so some basic functionality, no knee lift. I'll give the thoughts here a try before I throw in the towel. I really want to make this one! Sometimes I feel like I'm the worst quilter in the world because all these logical solutions escape my mind!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. At least I feel like I've something to go on!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. At least I feel like I've something to go on!
04-23-2018, 06:33 PM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,515
Originally Posted by Jane Quilter
how about starching the flowers "stiff as boards", sew them down, and wash the quilt when you are completely done....the starch will wash out, and the edges will softly fray.
04-24-2018, 02:59 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canadian in Minnesota
Posts: 3,078
I have this on my to-do list, and I'd been planning on using my hopping foot to sew the tight curves since the walking foot and other regular feet are basically intended to do straight sewing. I wonder if this would work for you?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
