GMarie

I have just begun to machine quilt, but so far I don't mind my walking foot. In fact, I tried to free motion quilt and it was a disaster! So, I liked the walking foot a lot better. My stitches don't come out tiny with my walking foot. Although, I did have a problem with a few puckers on the back.

Question - what is the best method to tie off the ends?

Also, in the BEAUTIFUL design above, how do you machine quilt that when it isn't a continuous line?

You people are my quilting angels by the way!!

sandpat

Izy, looks like the open toe is working like a charm for you! I trace my designs and quilt over them just exactly like you did. I haven't done any of the echo stitching though. My problem with that is I didn't have my backing smooth enough on my last quilt to do it...it would have bunched up and wrinkled. Yours looks great though!

patricej

I have two favorite feet for quilting in the ditch. They each have a "thingy" that lines up in the ditch and pushes the fold enough out of the way that, when you get it straight, the stitches disappear. Neither one takes very much practice.

(1) There's the "official" in-the-ditch foot: (photo of mine below) (link to a description and list of instructional files: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/P60702.php ) This foot works very well, but it can be a bit difficult to see where the needles is going in when you want to position it at the beginning of a "run". This one works best when the fold (press) is to the left.

(2) The second foot, which is supposed to be for blind hemming, works even better. It's easier to see the needle, and you can adjust the position of the little "thingy". It works equally well, whether the fold/press is to the left or to the right. I haven't tried it yet, but i'll bet it would be helpful when trying to line up for machine applique, or for blanket stitching. here's a link to a photo of one like mine and instructions. http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/presser-foot-janome-blindhem.php

I have this walking foot: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/singer-even-feed-walking-foot-006185008-p.php

I also have this one: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/pd60-421333-S.php

sometimes they help, sometimes not. i use the first one most often because it's easier to put on. They're both fairly easy to line up for a 1/4" seam, and both can be used with a zig-zag or decorative stitch. my biggest complaint is that they're so noisy. all that clacking drives me nuts.

my freemotion quilting stinks out loud, but i get the least hideous results with this foot: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/darning-foot-4021-L.php (the rest is practice and determination. i'll get the hang of it someday ... maybe in the next 100 years or so. :lol: ) seriously, it's the only one i've tried that i've managed to produce something that didn't go straight into the trash.

when i bother to use a 1/4" foot, i use either one like this: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/singer-foot-386005-p.php
or a clear plastic one (i can't get a good photo, and can't find one like it online.) i've just ordered this one: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/P60498.php (it has the benefit of the extra wide platform that covers the feed dogs completely, plus it's see-through so i'd know where the fabric is. i don't see why it wouldn't work on my machine. it looks like a universal snap-on to me. i'll let you know if it's any good.)

99% of the time, though, i use my favorite all-purpose foot for piecing. (similar to this, but i've never found another one exactly like it: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/685502008.php) after all these years, i know exactly where to feed the fabric (lined up with the little groove) and set my needle to get the 1/4". i just play with the others to experiment.

Virginia H. Cunningham

Izy, I love the colors, the prints, and ESPECIALLY the quilting!!! Beautiful job. Is that trapunto? or did you use a thick batting? You've done everything right on this quilt. Please post pictures of it completed. Thanks for sharing. Virginia

Izy

Thanks Patrice for all this advice and details you have painstakingly provided for me, I am going on a vacation tomorrow back to the U.K. to see my family, so no quilting for me.....(how will I survive??????)

Anyway, on my return I will study your message in great detail, and look forward to catching up with everyone on my return.

See ya all soon,

Izy

tlrnhi

I'll try it one of these days.
I'm still trying to get this heart quilt done.
I'm almost done tying it and I still don't like it tied. UGH!!
I know, ya'll are probably sick of hearing me complain about this quilt.
I'm thinking I'm just going to whip another one together and then work on this one at a later time.
I dunno.......UGH!!!!!!!!!

Quilting Aggi

I love my open toe foot, but I have never used it for machine quilting, mostly for satin stitch or areas where I need to see more of what I'm doing.

Cool I have never thought to play with my presser foot dial

kathyd

I am glad the "quilt police" are not in my life. I am of the belief that if it works for me, go for it and "if it ain't broke don't fix it"!!! I'm sure a lot of my ways are unconventional but I sew and quilt for me, not for others. Their benefit is the finished product. This is probably why when someone asks how did you do that I have a hard time explaining my process.

JoanneS

I have to laugh when I read about the Quilt Police. When my non-quilting pals oh and ah at my quilts and ask me if I enter my quilts in shows, I tell them no, because I don't want the quilt police to tell me all the things that are wrong with them. I did enter several quilts a long time ago, and one quilt was accepted. One judge like my use of color. Another only commented 'there's something wrong with the tension on your sewing machine.' She was right, but she could have at least tried to find one positive thing to say, too! Sigh. I give away most of my quilts (at least 150) - usually as wedding and baby gifts. But I keep pictures of them, so I haven't completely given them away. I figure 100 years from now a quilt historian will start finding JoanneS's quilts all over the US and wonder if she was just one person.
JoanneS

Izy

Good for you JoanneS!! I admire your individuality - your a leader not a sheep!! I am so sure that your quilts are loved and cherished and if you carry on at this rate you will have flooded the whole of the U.S.A. and beyond!! well done - I can't imagine having 150+ quilts to my credit....... :) :lol: :lol: :lol: