even on the new machine - yesterday and a little bit this morning I have tried machine quilting SID around the border of one of my quilts. I tried with and without the even foot, even tried using the quilting stitches (I have a Brother SQ9000) and even just the regular straight stitch. I kept having to use the ripper and remove the stitching.. Jack the Ripper even attacked me a few times. I do not know what I am doing wrong, which is probably everything. So I decided that I will just continue to piece by machine and bind using the machine, but the rest will be hand quilted. I thought I would try machine quilting so I can get some of the quilts done faster, but not working out... Plus even if I did get it to work, I would still hand quilt most projects anyway. Thanks for letting me vent.... :)

What is it that you don't like and are ripping out? Have you tried a stitch in the ditch foot? You're probably being too hard on yourself. Once the quilt is washed, most of what you perceive as imperfections aren't so noticeable!

Usually when I start something new I give it more than a day and a half before I decide to quit. Make some smaller things and practice! You wouldn't expect to be Rembrandt the first time you picked up a paintbrush!!

Hey Joanie, don't give up! I still really enjoy hand quilting, but it sure is nice to be able to whip out a quilt a lot faster on the machine. I use all vintage machines, and have practiced enough to be able to fm quilt on my treadle. Make yourself a bunch of little quilt sandwiches from leftover fabric & batting and practice practice practice. Once you get the hang of it, it's a lot of fun.

it takes practice, no one can just sit down and machine quilt a whole quilt first off. you should start with small projects, like pot holders or placemats when you have mastered those then move up to a wallhanging and keep practicing...working your way up to a whole quilt. it just takes practice

The stitches look too small and look like they are all crumped together plus I am not able to keep the stitches in the ditch. It just looks too messy - I am trying it on the quilt I am making for myself.

Now, your are probably right - I should start with a pot holder then maybe I can figure it out. I guess the 2 I am working on now I will just finish them with hand quilting. I just want to be able to do some quilts for family a little faster.

Does your machine have a way to increase the pressure on the presser foot?

It sounds like there's not enough pressure to move the fabric through the feed dogs.

You guys are right, I do need to start out with something small or just make small quilt sandwiches and practice. I am just a little impatient when it comes to certain things, thinking I can do it all right away.

Not sure - its suppose to adjust the pressure automatically, but I need to read up on that. Plus isn't that what the evenfoot (walking foot) does? I will check that out thanks.