First LongArm quilted project.
#35
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Congratulations on overcoming your fear and jumping in! I like the mantra "I have a longarm and I'm not afraid to use it!" You are so right it is, after all, "just fabric" but we do grow so emotionally attached to our quilts. Heck I grow emotionally attached to other people's quilts! LOL
I find drawing and doodling helps a ton. Some people like erasable whiteboards but I like good old fasioned paper and pencil so I can hang on to the drawings that turn out really well and keep them for reference. I am acquiring quite the pile of drawings. I bought a bunch of pads of newsprint when it was on close out and I doodle away. I wanted to be able to do feathers so I drew them and drew them and drew them until I could practically draw them in my sleep and now I can LA quilt them just as quick and easy as you please so give that a try to. I recently discovered Zentangling, a form of doodling that is so relaxing and fun to do. And it really helps me come up with quilting ideas. There are loads of websites about it, I have never taken a tangling class.
Edited to ask... What kind of machine did you get? Do you have a stitch regulator? I have one and I have yet to get up the nerve to try and quilt without it.
I find drawing and doodling helps a ton. Some people like erasable whiteboards but I like good old fasioned paper and pencil so I can hang on to the drawings that turn out really well and keep them for reference. I am acquiring quite the pile of drawings. I bought a bunch of pads of newsprint when it was on close out and I doodle away. I wanted to be able to do feathers so I drew them and drew them and drew them until I could practically draw them in my sleep and now I can LA quilt them just as quick and easy as you please so give that a try to. I recently discovered Zentangling, a form of doodling that is so relaxing and fun to do. And it really helps me come up with quilting ideas. There are loads of websites about it, I have never taken a tangling class.
Edited to ask... What kind of machine did you get? Do you have a stitch regulator? I have one and I have yet to get up the nerve to try and quilt without it.
Last edited by feline fanatic; 05-19-2012 at 05:54 AM.
#37
You did a great job! I'm in the same boat as you. I just got a used longarm & still practicing. I'm about to put my first real quilt on it & give it a go. I've used longarms before, but this one is mine! I'll also post a picture when it's off the frame. Let the fun begin!
#39
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,893
Looks good to me! You're practice has worked. Keep up the good work and expand into other designs. Loops, leaves, hearts, and more. Also practice just on paper to get the feel of a design. I even just draw with my finger on tables or the air, just to get the feel of motion working the machine as well as perfecting free motion quilting.
I have a computer system with mine, so do a lot of mixing free motion with the computer designs.
Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie
Quilter's Pantry
I have a computer system with mine, so do a lot of mixing free motion with the computer designs.
Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie
Quilter's Pantry
#40
Well done at least you took the courage and won I am still thinking about it and have just bought a Singer Quantum Long Arm I will be doing lots of small project for a long time, your quilt looks great
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