Advice For New Machine Quilters

You know, there are a few topics where this could go, but I wasn't sure if it would get lost. So move me if you must :)

I found this blog post that had some REAL advice and insights from someone who had just done their first machine quilted quilt.

It struck me as very appropriate (yeah, like I'd recognize appropriate behaviour) and supportive.

Relaxing is a key point! I found I was getting more and more tense and my shoulders were up around my ears. I had to tell myself to drop my shoulders. Putting on some music that you like is good too.

Thanks FB, can never read enough about machine quilting...

I just found this today for free motion quilting:

http://patsythompsondesigns.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-downloadMonitor/user_uploads/ptd_faf_newbiepreflightchecklist.doc

Thanks Mary. Pre-flight..LOL

Did you notice #5? Is that legal before flying? :fantasy-witch-

Umm..I guess you could get away with it if you print out that checklist and have it handy if anybody starts asking questions!

AnnieOakLeaf wrote:

Relaxing is a key point! I found I was getting more and more tense and my shoulders were up around my ears. I had to tell myself to drop my shoulders. Putting on some music that you like is good too.

I can relate to the music....but try some soft music.... I had some late 60's playing and got the ole' machine pumped up to the beat... ended up rocking out a bit, not too good for the design on my quilt

Yeah I could see where Tina Turner's "Rolling on the River" would play havoc on a quilting pattern!

(Hey, we need a dancing smiley--oh well this one will have to do :afro: )

Great blog and also instructions. I have just finished a large throw on a little ol' Pfaff with a 7 inch throat. It can be done. The throw is 65 x 85. The marking is the hard part for me. I think it helps to not do more than 30 to 45 minutes at a time. You just get too uptight and can't maintain calm even stitching when you are uptight. I am totally doing the wine (okay, beer for me) thing. Just enough to feel relaxed.

Luvsquilting wrote:

Great blog and also instructions. I have just finished a large throw on a little ol' Pfaff with a 7 inch throat. It can be done. The throw is 65 x 85. The marking is the hard part for me. I think it helps to not do more than 30 to 45 minutes at a time. You just get too uptight and can't maintain calm even stitching when you are uptight. I am totally doing the wine (okay, beer for me) thing. Just enough to feel relaxed.

Luvs, I had to go measure my machine (it never occurred to me to do so, before!). I have 7 1/2" of room. I've done queen-sized quilts on my machine - and some pretty complicated stuff, too!

Actually, now that I think of it, it might be easier to do complicated than an "overall" pattern with my limited available quilting area.

:peek: Anybody got an opinion on that?

I want to buy a brother machine strickly for machine quilting.....any advice??? Brother because I have already bought feet for my current brother. The reason I want a seperate machine is because I want the stitch that resembles a hand quilting stitch. any advise would be great!!! I have had my machine for 10 years and I will continue to use it for sewing, so I want to buy one that lasts..

Be sure to check it out really well before you buy. My Bernina was a total waste of money. I love my Janome 6600.



PS Welcome aboard.

I think you will get all sorts of different opinions on machines from the members here. I am a die hard Bernina person, own three and have NEVER had any problems with them doing what ever I wanted to do with them. Janome is a nice brand machine too. In my experience with teaching quilting and seeing lots of different brand machines, the best advice i can give is to make sure you do an extensive test run of any make/model machine that you are thinking of purchasing. I would suggest you take along some fabric and batting squares and try out the different stitches, quilting and see how it works for you. also, find out what policy there is on returns if you find out that the machine is not working well for you when you get it home.

Mamu is right. I don't think the brand is as important as if it does what you want it to do. All brands have lemons so you do need to give them a test run if posssible and good customer service is a big plus..

Yep....try them all out. I love my Bernina.....it replaced a 25 year old Singer that just wore out! I think it's a matter of personal preference.

I'm a Pfaff girl, but I used Mamu's Bernina at the retreat in May and I took to that baby like it was my own. Very easy to get used to. I was really worried, but need not worry in the future. Remember I even machine quilted 2 table runners. Now that I think about it, that was a brave endeavor on a machine that I wasn't used to.

I advise taking your time, trusting your own color sense and finding a good library so you can read a bunch of different views on quilting.

First question...does the Bernina BSR (stitch regulator) really make a big difference?

Second...How do you get those intricate quilt patterns on your quilt top? Does tissue paper really come off if its an intricate (tight) design?
I'm not happy with the stencils I've bought, they are fine until I come to an end and it doesnt connect in the corner and I'm trying to fudge it.
I feel very inadequate when i sit down and try to do anything more complcated than a stipple.

I love the BSR on my bernina and yes Chris it makes a big difference.... I don't think I would be machine quilting as much as I do without it....

I have several friends who love their Berninas also.

I have a friend with a Bernina with BSR. I don't notice any difference.

I would HIGHLY recommend a book titled: "Quilting Dot-To-Dot Patterns for Today's Machine Quilter (Golden Threads) by Cheryl Barnes"

The book teaches based upon children's dot-to-dot. Don't think about quilting an entire pattern. Think about quilting from Point A to Point B; Next Point B to Point C, Next Point C to Point D, etc. When you are only going 2 or 3 inches at a time, it's not that hard.

I sometimes trace my patterns on water soluble stabilizer using a permanent marker. I pin that onto the quilt and use that guide for my quilting. It's great because you can fudge a little to extend a border to make the corners come out right. Also, if you have a motif you want to use that's too big or too small, you can photocopy it and either shrink or enlarge to suit your needs. When I'm done quilting and binding it, I throw it in the wash and VOILA! You are done! I always worry a little about the permanent marker somehow getting on the finished quilt, but that has never happened.

so you use the type of water soluble that is for topping (clear like saran wrap) and not the heavier huh?