fabricluvr

ok, so i've taken the 'advanced machine quilting class' and i'm ready to go. i'm doing much better at free motion, but lately i've been trying to 'stitch on the lines' after marking with a stencil.

trouble is, most of the time i can't see where i'm going and i end up way off of the mark. hope this is making sense.

are there any tips or tricks for staying 'on the line'? my current project is a lap quilt so it's not like i can turn it to go with the flow of the design. i'm following the direction of the little arrows shown on the stencil label. i'm using the air soluble marking pen (purple) which is working out pretty good.

i just bought some new stencils at Hancock Fabrics for a couple more projects, so i hope i can get the hang of it!

penski

practice practice practice thats what they say !!!! when i am following a line doing meander stitch i put the material inso the part i have sewn is behind the needle and the part that is not is in front of the needle dont know if this is right or helps but thats what i do


Good luck

Ms Grace

Can I ask what kind of stencils you are using? I'm new to all this. :(
Is it the stencils that you trace in, they are of some kind of plastic ?
I've seen these in my local quilt shop, but figured they were for hand quilting.

fabricluvr

yep, the plastic ones. you just trace the design with the soluble pen or chalk or whatever else you like to use.

some of them seem to be more for hand quilting. i picked one up the other day at the quilt shop and got home only to discover that there wasn't a way to do continuous stitching. so i'll use it for hand quilting potholders or something. the continuous design ones have a little drawing on them with little arrows showing which path to follow.

Ms Grace

I did not know there were continuous line ones. I'll have to check that out. :mrgreen: Do you get them from a quilt shop? I've seen some at my local quilt shop and also some at Hobby Lobby. Never knew to look for arrows though.
When you use the purple soluble pen, does it all disappear? I was wondering if it would soak into the batting?? :roll:
I do have one that makes the clamshells, but I see no arrows.
Wonder if it would be doable by machine?

Suz

Like Penski, I too quilt and bring the project toward myself. This way you can see where you need to go and the bundle will be on your lap.

One other important thing. You MUST wear your gloves - the kind with the "nubbies" on the palm side. They will help you grip and control the layers. Fons and Porter offer these and you can find them at JoAnn's. Or you could use garden gloves with knit backs so they fit tightly on the fingers.

Keep practicing. Suzanne

ScubaK

Are you using a clear motion or seam presser foot?
Once I switched, I didn't have to guess any more.
K

tlrnhi

I'm with the rest of them...just have to practice.
AND have patience too! ;)

fabricluvr

yes, my janome came with the clear free motion foot.

off to practice some more!

thanks ladies! anyone else have ideas/tips?

Butterflyspain

are there any tips or tricks for staying 'on the line'? my current project is a lap quilt so it's not like i can turn it to go with the flow of the design. i'm following the direction of the little arrows shown on the stencil label. i'm using the air soluble marking pen (purple) which is working out pretty good.

i just bought some new stencils at Hancock Fabrics for a couple more projects, so i hope i can get the hang of it![/quote]

Hi, I use a clear plastic foot on my machine so that I can clearly where I am going, it works for me. It makes it easy and I also use it for my applique work, really helps to keep it neat.

Elle