There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Moderator: moishlashen

Locked
ezcheese
Cheese Connoisseur
Posts: 14378
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:25 am
Name: Derek
Location: NC

There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Post by ezcheese » Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:55 am

Sometimes as I stuff a quilt through that tiny space under the arm of my sewing machine, I wish the quilt were smaller.

"It's just a twin size quilt. Why should it be so difficult to work on?"

Whether I crunch it, fan-fold it, or gather it up, even a twin size quilt is bulky to work with, and getting my machine quilting stitches even and straight is a frustrating task, at best.

Yes, I have and use all of the machine quilting shortcuts and techniques to make the job easier - including using my super-duper gloves, spray basting the quilt so I don't have pins to work around, and installing my special cardboard box platform so the quilt is fully supported as it goes under the needle.

But, I still get uneven stitches, quilting designs that only a mother could love (and you know that means they are really misshapen), occasional puckers and pleats on the back of the quilt, and - above all - frustration!

Does anybody share my frustration?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

User avatar
SCM64
Global Mod/Sinn fanboy
Posts: 16523
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:27 pm
Location: N27° 56.79', W82° 27.55'

Re: There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Post by SCM64 » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:25 am

Derek, hard to help without knowing what fabrics you are working with...?
Steven

Sexually Desirable RockStar Moderator

Image

User avatar
polaco23
Actually chooses to live in Detroit
Posts: 5664
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:46 pm
Name: Dominik
Location: Michigan

Re: There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Post by polaco23 » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:56 am

i had the same problem, then i spent the big bucks on a touch screen Janome!

this thing cant make a bad stitch unless you tell it to! Well worth the price of admission.

Time to step your game up, if you wanna work on big pieces. BTW look at that loooong arm! :fro:
Image
Image

ezcheese
Cheese Connoisseur
Posts: 14378
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:25 am
Name: Derek
Location: NC

Re: There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Post by ezcheese » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:58 am

Oops, sorry. :oops: I'm using all kinds. Mainly I have been using cotton. Lately I have been on a huge Amy Butler kick. I have been working with some of her "love" collection. I especially love this love paradise periwinkle. design. :love:

Image
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

User avatar
polaco23
Actually chooses to live in Detroit
Posts: 5664
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:46 pm
Name: Dominik
Location: Michigan

Re: There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Post by polaco23 » Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:29 pm

thats a badass pattern, hard to make the lines match perfectly, but in the end itll be worth it.

Totally badass. :fro:
Image

User avatar
moishlashen
Posts: 16208
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 5:28 am
Name: Leu Sanis
Location: Somewheres paddlin' it.

Re: There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Post by moishlashen » Wed Mar 10, 2010 5:39 am

I too feel your pain Derek. Last week I was working with some particularly sassy 425 thread count velour and it had a mind of its own. I couldn't get straight stitches, had a hard time penetrating 2 layers of fabric even with my Kaiser T1000 Ni/Ti/Cd needle, and in certain light the fabric was giving me optical illusions.

Here's what I did:

Pulled all the shades
-Turned on (2) 100w Plasma ceiling lights
-Positioned my quilting chair 4ft from center of ceiling lights
-Turned my sun lamp on to medium-which I believe is a wattage of 133-136.2W

Heres the important part
-Drank 12 PBRs


voila-my stitches were monocromatic laser straight, my T1000 was penetrating like a 500degF knife through 32degF butter, and the fabric was like putty in my hands.


I hope it works for you too.
Image

"I prefer the tumult of liberty to the quiet of servitude."

ezcheese
Cheese Connoisseur
Posts: 14378
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:25 am
Name: Derek
Location: NC

Re: There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Post by ezcheese » Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:42 am

Fantastic advice! I had a similar lighting situation, but I have been drinking Merlot. :doh: I think the switch to PBR is exactly what's needed here. :cheers:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

User avatar
DMB
Global Moderator
Posts: 7861
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:34 pm
Name: Magnificent Bastard
Location: On the high ground with interlocking fields of fire

Re: There has to be a better way to quilt as I go!

Post by DMB » Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:12 am

Derek, you need to listen to Chris on this. PBR is the way to go. I used to love quilting while drinking a few glasses of Zinfandel. The problem was, after a few glasses I'd always wind up taking my clothes off and cranking up the Culture Club CDs. A two hour sewing session would turn into a 6 hour Boy George tribute. Then there would be the dancing. You know what a Diva I am. Anyhow, I started going with a 12 pack of PBR and I've really been able to stay properly focused. Strangely enough I've developed a fascination for Hank Williams Jr music, but other than that it's worked for me.
Image

Locked

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 54 guests