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U of HQ Question
campbellkid
Joined: Sept. 1, 2009
Posted: March 1, 2010, 7:26 AM
I'm still having trouble using rulers because of being left-handed. Is this something that is addressed at the Classes held at HQ headquarters? I'm still wanting to take the classes but scheduling around a family is difficult. I've had my "16" since Nov. 2009. Thanks for any insight.
Re: U of HQ Question
campbellkid
Joined: Sept. 1, 2009
Posted: March 4, 2010, 5:16 PM
Bringing it back to the top for a response by HQ. Thanks.
Re: U of HQ Question
kathisalter
Joined: Dec. 2, 2008
Posted: March 5, 2010, 2:07 PM
We have some very useful and informative classes on using rulers in our Intermediate Retreat. As far as specifically addressing the issue of being left handed using rulers, we don't really do that in our classes. I will tell you that when you are just learning how to use rulers, whether you are left or right handed, it is an awkward experience. You have to figure out what position is best for you personally. It doesn't matter if you hold the ruler behind, in front, to the inside, or outside of the hopping foot. Which ever feels the best for you. There are some rules that I will let you know about. They apply to anyone, left or right handed.

First of all, never use a ruler that is less than a quarter of an inch thick to sew with. It will slide under your hopping foot as you are sewing and will not be a pleasant experience when you sew on top of it.

Always remember to have your ruler base on the machine when you are using rulers. You need that extra table space to lay the ruler on. If the ruler base is not on, the ruler will flip off the edge of the bed of the machine.

When using rulers, there is a three way pressure that should go on. You need to be pressing the hopping foot against the ruler (with the handlebars, of course), the ruler against the hopping foot, and pressing the ruler securely down onto the ruler base (not so tight that you can't move the machine though). You always want the ruler and the hopping foot to be in contact with each other as you are sewing.

Lastly, you need to make sure that the palm of your hand or fingers are placed on the ruler close to where the hopping foot is sewing. When the hopping foot has sewn a distance away from where your hand is holding the ruler, you loose control of the ruler. You can do this one of two ways. You can either learn to walk your hand on the ruler as the machine is sewing, or as soon as you are starting to feel like you are going to loose control of the ruler, stop the machine with the needle down in the fabric and move your hand close to the hopping foot again.

I hope these tips help you to enjoy using rulers. I love using rulers, but the first few times I used them, I wasn't too sure about them. I had to learn the best way to hold them for me.

Good luck!

Kathi Salter
Handi Quilter Studio Educator
Re: U of HQ Question
campbellkid
Joined: Sept. 1, 2009
Posted: March 10, 2010, 7:28 PM
Thanks for the tips - I'll keep practicing with the rulers!!