I am a Scaredy Cat!!!!!
#41
Same problem. I had so many tucks on the back of the first quilt I tried to fmq on my little Singer, that I just ripped it out and hand quilted it ALL! Only took me about TWO YEARS! lol (I am getting ready to start PRACTICING again and have decided the thing to do is use the gloves with the grippies and do mini quilts until I get used to it) Let's give it a try! hummmmmm
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Joplin, Missouri
Posts: 1,058
I was very scared to begin machine quilting too.. I don't have enough money to buy 20 yards of muslin and batting to make "practice" samples from.. I think that would be a great way to get up to speed, and those smaller baby size sandwiches could be used for other things.. I have one that I use as a changing pad..
What I did was take home some of the kits we have at our guild and practice on these donation quilts. You will be surprised how quickly you get better at running your machine at a constant speed. It just takes practice like everything else. The best thing to remember is stop when you aren't sure where to go next or just get cluched up.
As far as the back side.. I spray baste my quilts and don't have that problem. The other thing that help that some is to have a slippery surface under your quilt.. I use one of those cheapy oven liners that I've cut a rectangle out of so my needle area is visible.
And, remember, this is a quilt, not a live changing project that will be displayed forever and judged.. Relax. It will look better than you thought when you finish.
What I did was take home some of the kits we have at our guild and practice on these donation quilts. You will be surprised how quickly you get better at running your machine at a constant speed. It just takes practice like everything else. The best thing to remember is stop when you aren't sure where to go next or just get cluched up.
As far as the back side.. I spray baste my quilts and don't have that problem. The other thing that help that some is to have a slippery surface under your quilt.. I use one of those cheapy oven liners that I've cut a rectangle out of so my needle area is visible.
And, remember, this is a quilt, not a live changing project that will be displayed forever and judged.. Relax. It will look better than you thought when you finish.
#43
Originally Posted by lynndianne
I'm scared to death of the "quilting part". My husband even bought me a long arm machine and it sits in my sewing room looking at me.
Lynn
Lynn
As for the topic, I have not spray basted so far and had realitively good luck FMQ but I do baste and pin and do small sections at a time, always straightening both top and bottom.Seems to work for me. Tskes practice and unfortunately lots of ripping but it does get easier. I always suggest making a practice quilt. Take a 10 x 10 size top, bottom,and batting,sandwiched and practice first.
#44
Originally Posted by lisajane
I love to quilt both hand and SORTA machine. I have made lap quilts by both methods. I have got quite a few tops that I have pieced by machine, BUT my problem is I am so affraid of machine quilting, it is awkward, I have a tendency to get tucks on the back that need to be seam rippered, and it is so bulky. Is there a good method for machine quilting? I have took some classes over the years, but by the time it is time to quilt it, you take it home to finish. I would love to be confident when it comes to machine quilting, but I am just not. I see some beautiful free style quilting but I get all nervy when I go to do it, I do not know why. I guess the thought of completing a whole quilt only to find 10 tucks on the back that need to be ripped out makes my stomach churn. Anybody got any sure fire solutions, I do baste, but to no avail.
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: S C michigan
Posts: 2,118
okay, ladies. i see you keep talking about using spray basting. when you use it, don't you just have to spray it and use it right now? or the hold lets loose? and get it quilted right away? 6 yrs or so ago, that is what i found. or was i doing it wrong. i was still working, and would try to lay it out, and then quilt some the next day, then want to do some the 3rd day. and MY spray basting didn't seem to hold. am i mis remembering? or was i just doing it wrong?
#46
If you know a LAQ in your area, you can have them baste the quilt for you using big stitches that can be removed easily after machine quilting. It is very inexpensive and may save you from getting tucks in the back and ripping out stitches.
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,152
I quilt on the machine by sections. If it is larger than a Crib quilt, say 72x 84 inches. I divide it into 4 sections before frinishing the block, quilt each section separately, then join them together with the lining larger than the section. For joining another way, I make sashing for the top and the lining and stitch on both sides of sashing to complete.
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: S C michigan
Posts: 2,118
Originally Posted by lynndianne
I'm scared to death of the "quilting part". My husband even bought me a long arm machine and it sits in my sewing room looking at me.
Lynn
Lynn
i will be right down.
what kind do you have? i do know that my cousins take classes to learn how to do/use their long arms. your LAQ company probably has classes they hold. and you should have been entitled to some hands on instructions when you bought it. otherwise, internet, internet. there should be dimistrations somewhere .
AND i must admit. i don't like my short arm phaff grand quilter and sit up i have. i would rather put it thru my janome.
#49
Originally Posted by shnnn
Absolutely love spray basting - haven't had any tucks with it, and no problems sewing through it. If you set up another table or ironing board at a 90* angle to your machine on your left to hold the weight of the quilt it help immensely as well. And for me -- no straight lines! I cannot SITD at all, total fail!
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