Sew, What's Up

Sew What’s Up Presents

The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: lendube
Date: 03-10-2007, 08:19 PM (1 of 13)
I am currently working up the nerve to start quilting my first quilt. It is huge and intimidating! :shock:

I decided that since I had 6 leftover blocks and enough fabric I would make a table runner first (since dh cut a nice 2" gash in the current one! :love: ) to practice the techniques. It's been such a good idea.

I have already learned that I don't like polyester batting. Luckily I have cotton in the "real" quilt. Poly is just so artificial and poufy.

I have learned that I don't care for invisible thread so much. I'm sure it has it's place. I bought some for the big quilt and now know I don't want to use it.

I'm also trying out beginner style quilting. I've done a bit of the runner in "echo" stitch and now I'm going to try "in the ditch". I'll then decide what to use for my big project.

I'll self bind this one and see if I like it. I can still change the other one.

I'm also using my dual feed foot and liking it.

This practice piece has proven very valuable. I guess there was a reason dh did the snipping! :wink:

Lennie
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006
Total posts: 1548
From: temom
Date: 03-10-2007, 09:05 PM (2 of 13)
It sounds like you are learning a lot. I haven't started the charity quilts yet. I'm a bit scared to start (that perfectionism in me that doesn't want to mess it up), but at the same time I really do need to finish my drapes first.

I'm sure I will have lots and lots of questions!
Theresa
User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007
Total posts: 410
From: lendube
Date: 03-10-2007, 10:30 PM (3 of 13)
If you're a perfectionist then I'm sure your quilts will be gorgeous. Just don't drive yourself crazy! :whacky:

I'm not a perfectionist but if something's not just right it bothers me. I always remind myself that no one is going to notice the imperfections but me. It really is true.

Another thing I've learned.

Since I'm quilting a smaller item I've just pinned it with a thousand pins. I put a pin in the middle of each piece especially.

When I've quilted that piece I take out the pins. That way with the invisible thread I can see exactly what I have left to quilt. It's hard to see otherwise.

Lennie
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006
Total posts: 1548
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 03-10-2007, 11:52 PM (4 of 13)
Lennie, You are a brave soul. I have several quilt tops finished and I'm intimidated by starting the quilting process. I guess I'm waiting for Christmas because I've already got my Christmas present picked out, a new quilting machine and frame. My quilt shop is selling them now and I'm really hooked on wanting to do one on the frame. My machines are in compact places in my sewing room so in order to quilt I'd have to take it all to the kitchen table and I'm not sure I want to do that because it will take some time to do it all and I need my table for eating. :nah: Please let us know how you make out and we want pictures when it's done. :up:
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: bridesmom
Date: 03-14-2007, 09:13 PM (5 of 13)
I would love a quilting frame! As I am heading to the Vancouver Sewing Show in two weeks I want to check them out and see if maybe DH can build one for me since he's so handy that way, or maybe I can get a good deal on one at the show. I'd love to be able to do all the fancy patterns which just seem next to impossible on a regular machine.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: Magot
Date: 03-26-2007, 12:27 AM (6 of 13)
Any pictures yet Lennie?
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: lendube
Date: 03-26-2007, 11:13 AM (7 of 13)
Thanks for asking but I haven't gotten up the nerve to start. I keep coming up with other things I "have" to get done first.

Keep poking me with those knitting needles though. I need the encouragement.........:bluesmile

Lennie
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006
Total posts: 1548
From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-26-2007, 11:27 AM (8 of 13)
I almost bought a wooden quilting frame last spring and last fall. But I changed my mind since it was to be used with a regular machine with a larger harp space. But it limits the quilting area to approx a 5" space. But I saw a demo of the HQ Sixteen on QNN this weekend and thought it was something that I would like to have. But getting something like that in Canada is difficult. Might have to make a roadtrip to the US sometime to check out the possibilities. :shock:
TTFN from
Judy
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005
Total posts: 1366
From: Sancin
Date: 03-26-2007, 03:32 PM (9 of 13)
I saw a quilting frame at a quilting/sewing show several years ago and I believe the people who were demonstrating were from Alberta. Perhaps Laura could keep her eye out at the Vancouver quilt show for a name for Laura.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
From: bridesmom
Date: 04-05-2007, 09:30 PM (10 of 13)
Oh, I have a flyer somewhere, I'll go see if I can find it. The guy is in BC and makes beautiful quilting systems, they can be table top or free standing and can come with a machine (Juki) or without. And it is motorized so the faster you move the machine the faster it sews, and it has a stitch regulator and I think it's only...No I'm not going to guess. I'll go look! I'll be back.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: bridesmom
Date: 04-05-2007, 09:34 PM (11 of 13)
FOUND IT! Got the website right here.
http://www.tobequilting.com/

It's a beautiful system. I'd love to have one of these. It's also for sale through www.allbrands.com for $1600 US I think.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: Sancin
Date: 04-06-2007, 04:09 AM (12 of 13)
That looks good, Laura, but is not the one I recall. The one I recall was precut and then put together at home. I believe it was less that $ 300. Of course at that price it did not look as professional, but did seem to work. I don't really have the room for such a thing.

Aside: Many years ago I bought an draftsman's pantograph. It cost quite a bit at the time and I could never really get it working well to change sizes for applique pieces (long before computers). I still have it but some screws are missing. It always surprizes me to see the word pantograph used in relation to quilting machines. Incidently, if any one is interested in my pantograph send me a PM.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
From: HeyJudee
Date: 04-06-2007, 11:50 PM (13 of 13)
Laura, that is the frame and machine that I almost bought twice. Saw it last May here in Ottawa at the CQA show. Then again at the Inspirations Needlework show last Oct. The prices are cheaper on the web-site than what I was quoted. But then I didn't check about delivery to Ontario either. Maybe that is why the price I was a lot higher.
TTFN from
Judy
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005
Total posts: 1366
Sew, What's Up
Search the “Sew What’s New” Archive:
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-21759.html