Finally got the hang of it!
#11
I just completed a free motion machine quilter with my standard sewing machine. I have never been so frustrated and yet intrigued in my whole life. It was fun but it is obvious to me that it requires a lot of practice.
One word of advice I would like to pass along is regarding thread. Being cheap, Coats and Clark has been my best friend for my quilting projects and has seemed to work well. This was NOT the case at the class I took when I was trying to learn how to do free motion quilting. My thread kept breaking toward the end of the class. After class at home, I was practicing and my machine started acting up. It didn't matter what I did: rethread, fooled with bobbin, adjusted tension. I just could not get a decent stitch. Finally, my DH took apart the bobbin and found lots and lots of short little pieces of red thread. (like I had used in class) Apparently, Coats and Clark thread is composed of short cotton fibers and will "plug" up your machine. The better thread has long, long fibers and works better for machine quilting.
I learned cheap isn't always best. Good luck on your machine quilting. (BTW, wish me luck too!!!!! :mrgreen: )
p.s.---yes, you can do fancy designs!
One word of advice I would like to pass along is regarding thread. Being cheap, Coats and Clark has been my best friend for my quilting projects and has seemed to work well. This was NOT the case at the class I took when I was trying to learn how to do free motion quilting. My thread kept breaking toward the end of the class. After class at home, I was practicing and my machine started acting up. It didn't matter what I did: rethread, fooled with bobbin, adjusted tension. I just could not get a decent stitch. Finally, my DH took apart the bobbin and found lots and lots of short little pieces of red thread. (like I had used in class) Apparently, Coats and Clark thread is composed of short cotton fibers and will "plug" up your machine. The better thread has long, long fibers and works better for machine quilting.
I learned cheap isn't always best. Good luck on your machine quilting. (BTW, wish me luck too!!!!! :mrgreen: )
p.s.---yes, you can do fancy designs!
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clay Springs AZ
Posts: 3,229
Thats a very interesting web site.
Im still practicing free motion after 3 yrs. It is so hard.
I did find that by grid quilting the middle of my quilts then using free motion for the borders, that it is a great way to learn. This way you are not fighting the quilt since the borders do not have to be shoved thru the machine. All the quilt is to the left of the machine.
Simple continuous line hearts or leaves is a great way to practice.
Im still practicing free motion after 3 yrs. It is so hard.
I did find that by grid quilting the middle of my quilts then using free motion for the borders, that it is a great way to learn. This way you are not fighting the quilt since the borders do not have to be shoved thru the machine. All the quilt is to the left of the machine.
Simple continuous line hearts or leaves is a great way to practice.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 2,362
Originally Posted by Rose Marie
Thats a very interesting web site.
Im still practicing free motion after 3 yrs. It is so hard.
I did find that by grid quilting the middle of my quilts then using free motion for the borders, that it is a great way to learn. This way you are not fighting the quilt since the borders do not have to be shoved thru the machine. All the quilt is to the left of the machine.
Simple continuous line hearts or leaves is a great way to practice.
Im still practicing free motion after 3 yrs. It is so hard.
I did find that by grid quilting the middle of my quilts then using free motion for the borders, that it is a great way to learn. This way you are not fighting the quilt since the borders do not have to be shoved thru the machine. All the quilt is to the left of the machine.
Simple continuous line hearts or leaves is a great way to practice.
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