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new to the handiquilter and how to start quilting
Posted: July 29, 2008, 11:04 AM
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| HI, I got my handiquilter set up, and I finally after hours got the bobbin thread through.. Then I started to sew this big wavy pattern on the border and the stitches started small then went huge, then the needle snapped. This is my first time using a handiquilter. I dont have th HQ sixteen machine, just my sewing machine. Whats the easiest pattern for a beginner, this is my first one i'm doing myself!! The last few quilts my mom in law did.!!! Was I going to fast? whats a good speed?..thank you. |
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new to the handiquilter and how to start quilting
Posted: July 29, 2008, 12:40 PM
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When using a domestic machine, you should have the machine set up for free motion quilting. You should have your needle tension fairly loose, to my knowledge. If your stitches were very small, that tells me you were running the machine fast and moving too slow. If your stitches were long, you were moving the machine too fast for the motor speed. Learning free motion quilting on a domestic machine takes LOTS and LOTS of practice. I used to free motion quilt on my domestic before getting my HQ16. I will try to explain how I first started free motion. With my machine on the cabinet, I would set my machine on a stitch length I liked, usually 3.0, then I would run fabric under the foot and have my hands on each side of the fabric. I would run the motor very slow, close my eyes, and let the machine pull the fabric. This allowed my hands to "feel" the length of the stitch. Then I started running the machine at a comfortable speed for me and work the fabric under the needle. I know the quilting teachers tell you RUN THE MACHINE FAST AND MOVE THE FABRIC SLOW. I say, run the machine at a comfortable speed for yourself that you can accomplish a nice stitch. Remember to run slow when doing curves and circles and use a short stitch to achieve a nice curve. I hope this helps and if not, let me know and I'll try to give better explanation. |
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new to the handiquilter and how to start quilting
Posted: July 29, 2008, 12:57 PM
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| thanks for your help, i'm going to have another whirl at it. At first I was told to stitch very fast, so thats what I did, I think its better to go slower, there is more control. Free motion is very difficult. and its my first one. I"m going to unpick my earlier mistake and try it your way..thanks again.. |
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new to the handiquilter and how to start quilting
Posted: July 30, 2008, 5:02 AM
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Lisag, Why not practice on some muslin instead of a pieced quilt? Why ruin all your hard work when all you need to do is practice. Just load muslin and batting like you would a quilt and practice. Using a colored thread makes it easier to see your stitches. It does take practice so don't rush and ruin or have to unpick all that thread. I even saved pieces of my muslin practice pieces and dated them. You can see your progress that way. Good Luck. |
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new to the handiquilter and how to start quilting
Posted: July 30, 2008, 6:18 AM
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| The thing is the quilt is already loaded and it took me forever to load it..i've done a bit on the border, its not too bad, and i'm going to unpick it and try again. I dont really want to unhook the whole thing..after it took me hours to hook it up..... |
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new to the handiquilter and how to start quilting
Posted: July 30, 2008, 10:04 AM
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| HI, I unpicked it and it doesnt look very attractive where I made the mistakes, so i'm going to draw something with fabric chalk and then try that, and not unpick it, I think i'm just nervous at the free motion thing, If I had lines I wouldnt be so intimidated, or something to follow, once this quilt is done, i'm going to work on some smaller projects to try them. |
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new to the handiquilter and how to start quilting
Posted: July 30, 2008, 10:52 AM
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| not much luck!!! I sewed and the top looks great,but the tension is all off on the bottom, i'm just taking the machine off and working on some other projects for a few days...ITs really tough..i might have to take it off the handiquilter and make some thing smaller..thansk for all your support. |
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new to the handiquilter and how to start quilting
Posted: July 30, 2008, 1:20 PM
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| Don't get discouraged. I know it sounds like a lot of work but using muslin will save your tops. By the way, most of the holes left by unpicking will disappear when you wash the finished piece. You can't expect to be perfect on the first try.( Well, we can but it isn't reasonable) Walk away, take a deep breath and come back to it later. As for patterns, go to Willow Leaf Studios and look up some Easy, some are rated, pantographs and watch the size of the pattern. With a regular machine on your frame you will have to stick to 6 inch or less patterns. Maybe you should get a ruler and stitch in the ditch. Some things to think about. |
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