Nanax4

that sewing straight lines was so hard! I'm new to quilting anything other than in the ditch. I had NO idea that quilting a straight line is nigh to impossible!

I was so excited to get my new sewing machine, a Babylock Crescendo. And even more excited to finally get a project to the "ready to be quilted" stage.

Being a newbie to this, I foolishly thought that I could follow the seams and quilt 1/4" from the seam lines. What a dumb idea!!! The lines were all wavy, but I didn't really realize that until I was all done.

I also didn't know to increase the tension slightly, nor did I realize that I needed to lengthen the stitch length slightly. Argghhhh!!

Ok. So now I know those things. I also got the courage to switch over to the Muvit foot, which helped tremendously. I didn't want to mark the quilt, so ended up finding some 1/4" quilter's tape that seems to be working well. I've also learned to pay very close attention to any drag possibilities. I didn't really notice that the first time around.

Off to sit on the deck and pick out the original quilting. There's something calming about it, actually.

QuiltMom2

Hang in there! Sometimes, there's no substitute for experience.

bjgallent

Did ou try using a walking foot with a bar? If you want them closer together, you could use the presser foot as a guide and move the needle to far left. Hope this makes sense.

Ginger's Mom

Hang in there Nana,I'm very new to this also and after many mistakes I finally made a small sample sandwich and practiced my straight lines and found the right tension, (yes, had to increase it to 8 from 4). Practice makes perfect.

Nanax4

bjgallent...I started out using the presser foot as a guide. Apparently that's not gonna work for me until I get some more experience under my belt. I also think that my seams were not as straight as I thought they were. They look fine, big picture. They look fine until you add the detail of stitching next to them. I guess I just wasn't being careful enough.

The Muvit foot doesn't have a bar, and I haven't looked at the walking foot. I don't remember even getting a walking foot with the machine. I think I only have the Muvit foot. I've been too chicken to try anything with moving the needle, but that sounds like a possible solution. I'll try that tonight.

I think I should take a beginner's class for quilting. I didn't think it was going to be all that hard! I have a whole new appreciation for those whole cloth quilts that I've seen!!

Onebyone

I mark my quilt for straight lines. I can stay straight sewing on a line but will wobble if trying to use a guild line like the edge of the foot or seam line.

TexasSunshine

I have always used a walking foot and the little bar(guide) you attach to the pressure foot and is adjustable for whatever width you want. For crosshatching I would start in the center and stitch diagonally on the quilt, then go to the next row and so forth. I would stitch from the center out on each side.

Jan in VA

If you mean it's hard to keep a consistent straight line there are several tricks to help. Here's one:

Jan in VA

AliKat

I would think that Baby Lock has a 1/4" flange guide foot available. The flange is that little metal guide thingy on the right side of the foot.

I have one for my machines, though a different brand, which I have used for years. Love it.

MadQuilter

I got the 1/4" foot for the Baby Lock and it works GREAT. I have the one with the flange and it does not give a true 1/4" seam, so beware - but the regular one does.