View entire thread: bedsheets as backing
Posted by Kathy Applebaum on Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:38 PM    Post subject: Re: bedsheets as backing



"Martha" <martha54@sover.net> wrote in message news:martha54-B5AC9E.06300508112006@news.sover.net...
[quote:9bf8adf903]I bought barely used sheets with floral patterns at our rummage sale. Any reason I shouldn't use them
as backing? I will be machine quilting. [/quote:9bf8adf903] I'd do a test first. Some sheets seem to work fine, some
don't. IM(NS)HO, high thread count sheets are more likely to give problems (often tension problems, loopy knots on the
back, or skipped stitches), as are new, unwashed sheets. My theory is that the extra resistance the needle encounters
causes a hesitation in the stitch, which makes the stitch not form correctly or not form at all. -- Kathy A.
(Woodland, CA) Queen of Fabric Tramps mailto:KathyA@KayneyNOSPAMQuilting.com
http://fabrictramp.typepad.com/fabric_tramping/ remove the obvious to reply

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View entire thread: Good Pattern for Scraps?
Posted by Butterflywings on Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:34 PM    Post subject: Re: Good Pattern for Scraps?

Ahhhh, Sherry, after you have been 'around a while' you will find the diff between and betwixt the smiles and
giggles....until then don't be afraid to ask which way we were thinking...... In all the years (yikes, is it really
THAT long?) I've been on here, I'm hard put to find any 'laughed at' instances. 'course some of us do have standing
'feuds' trying to OUTDO one another (Pat W and I on refining our Begging Skills with Mz Ragmop being our esteemed
Teacher, for instance) Hi, Pat : ) Just remember we all learned to sew, stitch, or quilt ONE STITCH at a time.....and
know what? We still all stitch ONE stitch at a time -- I don't care how many stitches ( plural here) are on the
quilting needle before you pull it--they still went on one stitch at a time and we still are refining our frog stitch
(and those still come out ONE STITCH at a time even when you use your rotary cutter as an aid : ) Hope you stay around
a while and share your quilts and quilting with us...like to think of this as being a King-Size-Cyber-Quilt-frame and
we all are sitting round it on our chairs ( we do have individual chairs that are ours forever--they're put up when we
are away for awhile and brought back down when we return) and sharing chocolate/licorice/etc and swapping stories just
like our foremoms did Butterfly (who did NO BEGGING in this entire epistle) "Patti"
<Patti@quik.clara.co.uk> wrote in message news:T77kMjBLWEUFJAmN@quik.clara.co.uk... [quote:0e85e1ddf5]Oh Sherry.
From me it would *never* be laughed *at*. I've had too much of that in my life. My smile was simply that - a smile for
someone inexperienced who thought those pieces were small now, but in a year or so will be hoarding every last square
inch of a fabric she loves. I did think of reminding you not to 'sigh' when you have to ask another question, but I
thought that might be a bit too personal. Don't *ever* feel guilty or embarrassed about asking questions - here anyway.
Ask away. It's a good, interactive way of learning. . In message
<1162858771.410771.260580@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com>, sriddles@aol.com writes Thanks for all the links posted.
I looked at them all, and found some really interesting possibilities. It's difficult to tell when one is being laughed
*with* or laughed *at**, so I"ll offer an excuse anyway: I have only finished four quilts so far, and always
intentionally bought extra fabric out of fear that I'd run short. That's why the leftover pieces are large. Sherry
-- Best Regards pat on the hill[/quote:0e85e1ddf5]

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View entire thread: Opinions on machines
Posted by Valerie in FL on Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:06 PM    Post subject: Re: Opinions on machines

You may want to do a search on "Juki" on this newsgroup. There was a conversation going on a week or so ago
about the Juki TL98Q. I am reposting my small contribution to that discussion here: [quote:5f29df7e6a]I love mine. It
took a little while to get the tension right, but once I did, it doesn't matter what I'm sewing, the tension is still
perfect. I also[/quote:5f29df7e6a] really like the thread cutter button on the foot pedal, which both cuts the threads
and raises the needle (the machine always ends with needle down) but I still haven't gotten the hang of the knee pedal
for raising the machine foot. Maybe it's because if I am chain piecing I never have to lift the foot; I just feed the
next pieces in. The edge of the walking foot is 1/4", and I find I use it for most of my piecing, although it does
come with a regular 1/4" foot, along with a zipper foot and general purpose foot and 2 feet for free-motion
quilting. It has a switch to drop the feed dogs for free motion and there is a lot of room to the right of the needle.
It took me a little while to get up to its full speed of 1500 stitches per minute, mostly for piecing long strips. I
saw that Juki now has a TL98QE, which runs about $200 less than the TL98Q I bought, and seems to be an identical machine
except it's missing the thread cutting button on the machine itself, so I guess you can only activate the thread cutting
from the foot pedal. It is a wholly mechanical machine, and because of the speed of the motor, I do oil it every time I
use it, as recommended. In fact, if I'm sewing all day, I'll oil it again after 3-4 hours. I have a Brother 270D for
fancy stitches and machine embroidery which does a fair job, but it's the Juki that I use all the time. -- Valerie in
FL My quilts: http://community.webshots.com/user/vjkahler "fixedgearhead"
<fixedgearhead@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message news:1162255105.552933.324650@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
[quote:5f29df7e6a]I am in need of an opinion on the desirability/differences between the Janome 1600P long arm sewing
machine and the Juki TL98Q or QE. I have sewn on the Janome 1600 and have 2 other Janome machines plus a Janome Serger.
I like the Janome line of machines that I have and have seen. I have not used or seen, other than on the Internet, the
Juki so I was wondering if anybody has had any experience with them, particularly that model.The specs for the Juki seem
to have more options for about the same price but I am wondering about the reliability/longevity. There is no dealer
locally that I could get a look at a machine first hand so that leaves me to ask all of you who may have had some
experience on these machines. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, John Taylor [/quote:5f29df7e6a]

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View entire thread: machine needles for quilting
Posted by I.E.Z. on Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:39 PM    Post subject: Re: machine needles for quilting

"Taria" <tariawilson@verizon.net> wrote in message news:41d1h.14973$DH5.3095@trnddc04...
[quote:c44fa38318]I am trying to remember the link for the good prices on Schmetz machine needles. Anyone have it
handy? While we are talking needles what do you use for machine quilting and why? Type and size. Do you use different
ones for poly and cotton? [/quote:c44fa38318] I used to use Schmetz needles and still have several left of various
kinds - metallic, microtex, jeans, quilting. When I got the embroidery machine I had to find a cheaper source of
needles because after thousands of stitches per design, it's best to change them frequently. I started buying Organ
needles, and found they worked well. Then I tried using them in my other machines for piecing and machine quilting.
Although I still use a Schmetz quilting needle occasionally, I really can't tell the difference in my machines. I
most recently bought needles at http://www.allstitch.net/index.html where they sell Organ for $10 per box. Just as an
aside, I ordered from Allstitch on Wednesday morning and UPS brought the package to the door Thursday afternoon!! I
was flabbergasted! They also have good prices on stabilizer and NEB bobbins, in case anyone here also does machine
embroidery. Iris

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View entire thread: What do I ask?
Posted by René on Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:07 AM    Post subject: Re: What do I ask?

Ah, Kathy -- just one of those Long Arm Quilters I'm so worried about! LOL I agree that it would be best if I could
actually see some examples and/or samples to determine if it is what I expect. And you've convinced me that, like
most things, communication will be the key to being happy with the result. Thank you for your expert advice -- I
really appreciate it! René "Kathy Applebaum" <KathyA@KayneyNOSPAMQuilting.com> wrote in message
news:yv5_g.16552$e66.16155@newssvr13.news.prodigy.com... [quote:41953c4675] "René" <My.Pencil@mchsi.com>
wrote in message news:q7%Zg.245810$1i1.142166@attbi_s72... What should I look for in a long-arm quilter? Do they ever
email you pictures of their quilts? Does that even help me know if she's good at it? I've decided to contact my
favorite LQS's owner, whom I frequently email for sewing and embroidery machines advice, etc. She knows I'm housebound.
I'm going to ask for names of quilters that she knows and recommends. I've noticed that there are always business cards
on their counter from quilters. The best would be to see the quilting in person. Given that you're housebound, that
will take a little creativity on your part. The LQS owner would be a good resource. Do they have shop samples done by
the local longarmers? How about friends at your guild -- any of them have work done by a longarmer they'd be willing to
show you? The reason it's better to see it in person is that while a picture can show you the style of the quilting,
you can't see a lot of the quality from a picture. Are the stitches as even as you'd like? Are the starts and stops how
you like them? How are the points? Tension? Do they give me choices of patterns, or stick to their own? I just want
something rather simple for this particular quilt, but it does have some nice "empty" spaces that the quilting
will really show up. I'm assuming a good quilter will have ideas as to what would be best for this quilt. Depends on
the quilter. Definitely something to bring up with the quilter. What is expected of me? Should I expect to pay in
advance, or after it's all done? What else? Some ask for a partial payment up front, some don't. Each quilter has
their own requirements, so I'd suggest asking them exactly this question. Far better to have clear communication in
advance! and also want to be a good customer. You're every longarmer's dream. :) -- Kathy A. (Woodland, CA) Queen of
Fabric Tramps mailto:KathyA@KayneyNOSPAMQuilting.com http://fabrictramp.typepad.com/fabric_tramping/ remove the obvious
to reply [/quote:41953c4675]

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View entire thread: What do I ask?
Posted by Kathy Applebaum on Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:59 PM    Post subject: Re: What do I ask?

"René" <My.Pencil@mchsi.com> wrote in message news:q7%Zg.245810$1i1.142166@attbi_s72...
[quote:794e349330]What should I look for in a long-arm quilter? Do they ever email you pictures of their quilts? Does
that even help me know if she's good at it? I've decided to contact my favorite LQS's owner, whom I frequently email for
sewing and embroidery machines advice, etc. She knows I'm housebound. I'm going to ask for names of quilters that she
knows and recommends. I've noticed that there are always business cards on their counter from quilters.
[/quote:794e349330] The best would be to see the quilting in person. Given that you're housebound, that will take a
little creativity on your part. The LQS owner would be a good resource. Do they have shop samples done by the local
longarmers? How about friends at your guild -- any of them have work done by a longarmer they'd be willing to show you?
The reason it's better to see it in person is that while a picture can show you the style of the quilting, you can't
see a lot of the quality from a picture. Are the stitches as even as you'd like? Are the starts and stops how you like
them? How are the points? Tension? [quote:794e349330]Do they give me choices of patterns, or stick to their own? I
just want something rather simple for this particular quilt, but it does have some nice "empty" spaces that
the quilting will really show up. I'm assuming a good quilter will have ideas as to what would be best for this quilt.
[/quote:794e349330] Depends on the quilter. Definitely something to bring up with the quilter. [quote:794e349330]What
is expected of me? Should I expect to pay in advance, or after it's all done? What else? [/quote:794e349330] Some ask
for a partial payment up front, some don't. Each quilter has their own requirements, so I'd suggest asking them exactly
this question. Far better to have clear communication in advance! [quote:794e349330]and also want to be a good
customer. [/quote:794e349330] You're every longarmer's dream. :) -- Kathy A. (Woodland, CA) Queen of Fabric Tramps
mailto:KathyA@KayneyNOSPAMQuilting.com http://fabrictramp.typepad.com/fabric_tramping/ remove the obvious to reply

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View entire thread: please invent this gadget
Posted by Pat in Virginia on Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:42 PM    Post subject: Re: please invent this gadget

L: When I even suspect I am going too fast ... and sometimes when I don't suspect it, if my stitches are 'not quite
right' ... I switch the SM to lower speed. If you have the options, try that. My Pfilomina Pfaff has two speeds. Fast
Lane Sewing, and Sightseeing Lane Sewing. PAT Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote: [quote:21c4f83989]It seems
like I "bank my curves" on all my machine quilting curves. The bobbin thread takes a short cut around the
curves and the top thread makes big loops to connect to the bobbin thread. I think I have a hand vs. foot pedal
problem. Maybe I'm moving around the curves too fast? Either way it's terribly annoying to be stitching well and then
mess up all the curves. I think some practising and analyzing is in order for me.[/quote:21c4f83989]

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View entire thread: please invent this gadget
Posted by Debra on Fri Oct 20, 2006 2:44 AM    Post subject: Re: please invent this gadget

On Thu, 19 Oct 2006 08:07:22 +0100, Patti <Patti@quik.clara.co.uk> wrote: [quote:c061727d0a]KJ - your and
Leslie's previous post just 'rattled' something in my memory: are you both (and anyone else who like us gets these un-
cool backs) using a needle plate which accommodates the zig-zag stitch? Some time ago, on here, I remember it was
recommended that we bought a single hole needle plate, particularly for use when free-motion quilting, so that the
threads did not have so much 'freedom to move'. Well, I did buy myself a single hole plate recently; but, when I was in
a rush to do my last piece of quilting, I forgot to change the plates. When I have an hour or so, I really must change
the plates and have a go to see if it makes a difference. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it really did?! (You do have to
remember to change it back - or suffer awful consequences! but it would be worth the effort.) [/quote:c061727d0a] I had
the same results on a single needle position throat plated machine. I don't know what makes it do those leaps on the
back when the top stitches look so nice. I just know it was so aggravating that I'm not likely to ever try free motion
again as long as I have a walking foot that fits the machine. Debra in VA See my quilts at
http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere

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View entire thread: Old blocks found, and history lesson
Posted by jeanbaby on Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:54 PM    Post subject: Re: Old blocks found, and history lesson

I THINK Not!!! Those were meant for you my dear. Otherwise DMIL and sisters would have fashioned something out of
them years ago. You angel has saved them for YOU. Jeanbaby "Ginger in CA" <gaw93031@msn.com> wrote
in message news:1161055912.774732.241600@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com... [quote:10937d93f3]D[not-so-dear]H made a
comment tonight that I could split the blocks up and make something for DMIL and his two sisters. Uh, no. I will try
to get him to take a couple digital pics and send them to Raggmop, she'll know what the fabric is. Ginger in CA known
around here as the Techno-geekless...... Butterflywings wrote: WOW! How LUCKY is that? Guess you need to bring DH over
and let Jeanbaby and I give him a 'talking to' about quilting. So.... we'll get to see you again.... but we won't tell
him that <vbeg Butterfly (can you time that in cahoots with our move once again? Dec 31, if not sooner)
"Ginger in CA" <gaw93031@msn.com> wrote in message
news:1160969896.036782.215370@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... Oh, my. I am in the process of clearing out the guest room
upstairs to move my sewing room in. DH will be tearing off the back porch/my current sewing space to build out an
apartment for DU [Dear Batchelor Uncle] to move in. Yep, we will have a 86 yr old and a 94 yr old to take care of -
whoohoo! This morning I had some boxes out, old sheets and towels that do not have beds to fit them. "OK, Mom
[DMIL], I'm gonna wash these up, freshen them and put them in the pile for charity." Wait, here's a plastic bag
with something in it. Oh, heavens, it is a stack of 21 album blocks pattern! I unfolded them and took them in to Mom.
These were made by her grandmother (dh's great-grandmother), who was going to make her a quilt but never got around to
it. She passed in 1943 at age 90, and these blocks are mostly hand-sewed. Mom told me of her Aunt Bessie helping her
grandmother to sew them, then Gramma ripping out Aunt Bessie's stitches because she didn't like the looks of them ;))
Original 20's fabric or so, green and orange houndstooth type on muslin. Some stains on the muslin. They have been well
protected, so not sure what I will do with them yet. DH looked at the, looked at me and said "So, are you gonna
keep them, or what?" well, duh! Ginger in CA [/quote:10937d93f3]

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View entire thread: Old blocks found, and history lesson
Posted by Ginger in CA on Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:31 AM    Post subject: Re: Old blocks found, and history lesson

D[not-so-dear]H made a comment tonight that I could split the blocks up and make something for DMIL and his two sisters.
Uh, no. I will try to get him to take a couple digital pics and send them to Raggmop, she'll know what the fabric is.
Ginger in CA known around here as the Techno-geekless...... Butterflywings wrote: [quote:3234b1072b]WOW! How LUCKY is
that? Guess you need to bring DH over and let Jeanbaby and I give him a 'talking to' about quilting. So.... we'll get
to see you again.... but we won't tell him that <vbeg Butterfly (can you time that in cahoots with our move once
again? Dec 31, if not sooner) "Ginger in CA" <gaw93031@msn.com> wrote in message
news:1160969896.036782.215370@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... Oh, my. I am in the process of clearing out the guest room
upstairs to move my sewing room in. DH will be tearing off the back porch/my current sewing space to build out an
apartment for DU [Dear Batchelor Uncle] to move in. Yep, we will have a 86 yr old and a 94 yr old to take care of -
whoohoo! This morning I had some boxes out, old sheets and towels that do not have beds to fit them. "OK, Mom
[DMIL], I'm gonna wash these up, freshen them and put them in the pile for charity." Wait, here's a plastic bag
with something in it. Oh, heavens, it is a stack of 21 album blocks pattern! I unfolded them and took them in to Mom.
These were made by her grandmother (dh's great-grandmother), who was going to make her a quilt but never got around to
it. She passed in 1943 at age 90, and these blocks are mostly hand-sewed. Mom told me of her Aunt Bessie helping her
grandmother to sew them, then Gramma ripping out Aunt Bessie's stitches because she didn't like the looks of them ;))
Original 20's fabric or so, green and orange houndstooth type on muslin. Some stains on the muslin. They have been well
protected, so not sure what I will do with them yet. DH looked at the, looked at me and said "So, are you gonna
keep them, or what?" well, duh! Ginger in CA [/quote:3234b1072b]

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View entire thread: Old blocks found, and history lesson
Posted by Butterflywings on Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:17 PM    Post subject: Re: Old blocks found, and history lesson

WOW! How LUCKY is that? Guess you need to bring DH over and let Jeanbaby and I give him a 'talking to' about quilting.
So.... we'll get to see you again.... but we won't tell him that <vbeg> Butterfly (can you time that in cahoots
with our move once again? Dec 31, if not sooner) "Ginger in CA" <gaw93031@msn.com> wrote in message
news:1160969896.036782.215370@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... [quote:20bd70ae15]Oh, my. I am in the process of clearing
out the guest room upstairs to move my sewing room in. DH will be tearing off the back porch/my current sewing space to
build out an apartment for DU [Dear Batchelor Uncle] to move in. Yep, we will have a 86 yr old and a 94 yr old to take
care of - whoohoo! This morning I had some boxes out, old sheets and towels that do not have beds to fit them.
"OK, Mom [DMIL], I'm gonna wash these up, freshen them and put them in the pile for charity." Wait, here's a
plastic bag with something in it. Oh, heavens, it is a stack of 21 album blocks pattern! I unfolded them and took them
in to Mom. These were made by her grandmother (dh's great-grandmother), who was going to make her a quilt but never got
around to it. She passed in 1943 at age 90, and these blocks are mostly hand-sewed. Mom told me of her Aunt Bessie
helping her grandmother to sew them, then Gramma ripping out Aunt Bessie's stitches because she didn't like the looks of
them ;)) Original 20's fabric or so, green and orange houndstooth type on muslin. Some stains on the muslin. They have
been well protected, so not sure what I will do with them yet. DH looked at the, looked at me and said "So, are
you gonna keep them, or what?" well, duh! Ginger in CA [/quote:20bd70ae15]

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View entire thread: My niece wants to learn...
Posted by Cats on Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:46 AM    Post subject: Re: My niece wants to learn...

You and your neice might like to try Manx quilting. The instructions are posted at - http://tinyurl.com/y43699 It
used to be the task of the young girls in Manx households to make the blocks for quilts. This was how they learned to
sew. -- Cheryl & the Cats in OZ o o o o o o ( > Y < ) ( > Y < )
( > Y < ) Enness Boofhead Donut http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau "Mary Anna" <firedoggy52@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1gtm1exzbhrzw.1oswz49oy87f6.dlg@40tude.net... : My 9 year old niece spent the night with us last night, and asked
me what I : was doing while I was sewing some squares together. I told her that I was : learning how to make quilts and
she immediately asked "Can you teach me : how?" Well, of course I was happy to do that! : : I wasn't sure if
she'd like it or not, but after she sewed her first few : squares together, she informed me that she will be spending
more time with : me so that we can learn together and make a quilt! I thought that was : great, lol! I took photos of
some of what we did if anyone wants to take a : look and let us know how we are doing. The one that looks sort of like
: watercolor paints is my niece's handiwork, and the one with the hearts is : mine. We've been taking a back stitch at
the beginning and end of the : sewing line and also one or two in the middle to help anchor the thread. Is : that the
correct thing to do? : : http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/554831664fPBNVI : : Not great stitches for either one
of us, but hey, we're just learning! :) I : was pretty impressed with Katybug's (ny nickname for her, lol!) first :
attempts. I think if she sticks with it, she'll do very well. I hope she : does; it would be so wonderful if we could
actually complete a quilt : together. She seem really excited by the idea. I'm planning on it being : just a smaller
patchwork quilt; I don't want to overwhelm her to start off. : : -- : Mary Anna in NY

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View entire thread: Introducing myself/novice quilter
Posted by WV Quilter on Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:32 AM    Post subject: Re: Introducing myself/novice quilter

Welcome to the group. If your going to hand quilt it you really want the stitching to be a part of the design. I would
still make it simple. Echo or mimick the line of you stitching. You can do this by taking small stitches about a quarter
of an inch from where you joined your pieces. It doesnt matter that your stitches are really small just as long as they
are consistant. I never could get 12 to an inch. WV Quilter Mary Anna wrote: [quote:60219954e3]Hi everyone, My name is
Mary Anna and I live in upstate New York. I'm a novice to quilting. I've been (very) slowly teaching myself over the
past several years with the help of books and lately the internet. I did a few doll sized quilts with my sewing machine,
which I tied off as opposed to actually quilting them; I wasn't brave enough to attempt that when I made them. Sorry, no
pictures. I made them in my pre-digital camera/computer days and they have since been given away and are long gone. They
didn't come out all that well, but I liked the process. I've recently been more active at trying to learn more. I''ve
been sewing together squares, both by machine and by hand, to get the feel for what I like. I'm finding that I like both
equally well, so I'll probably end up doing both. I haven't actually finished any quilts yet, other than the doll sized
ones, but I do have one small child sized patchwork quilt top done. I'm still trying to work up the nerve to finsh it. I
don't want to just tie it off, but the quilting part of it is still a little intimidating to me and I haven't gotten as
far as attempting that on anything yet. I am planning on hand quilting it and any pointers are very welcome, lol! I'm
looking forward to getting to know everyone! :) Mary Anna[/quote:60219954e3]

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View entire thread: Introducing myself/novice quilter
Posted by Kate G. on Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:27 AM    Post subject: Re: Introducing myself/novice quilter

Welcome --- the hardest part (for me) is the sandwiching. I have a TERRIBLE time getting it straight with no
wrinkles. For the quilting -- I would suggest starting with something simple... like outline quilting... or echo
quilting. I'd keep the pattern simple -- so you could focus on your stitches initially. Kate in MI (not a confident
hand quilter either!) http://community.webshots.com/user/K_Groves -- "Mary Anna"
<firedggy@localnet.com> wrote in message news:1160614628.856081.67950@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
[quote:f9f77dfb41]Hi everyone, My name is Mary Anna and I live in upstate New York. I'm a novice to quilting. I've been
(very) slowly teaching myself over the past several years with the help of books and lately the internet. I did a few
doll sized quilts with my sewing machine, which I tied off as opposed to actually quilting them; I wasn't brave enough
to attempt that when I made them. Sorry, no pictures. I made them in my pre-digital camera/computer days and they have
since been given away and are long gone. They didn't come out all that well, but I liked the process. I've recently been
more active at trying to learn more. I''ve been sewing together squares, both by machine and by hand, to get the feel
for what I like. I'm finding that I like both equally well, so I'll probably end up doing both. I haven't actually
finished any quilts yet, other than the doll sized ones, but I do have one small child sized patchwork quilt top done.
I'm still trying to work up the nerve to finsh it. I don't want to just tie it off, but the quilting part of it is still
a little intimidating to me and I haven't gotten as far as attempting that on anything yet. I am planning on hand
quilting it and any pointers are very welcome, lol! I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone! :) Mary Anna
[/quote:f9f77dfb41]

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View entire thread: handquilting equipment
Posted by Roberta Zollner on Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:53 PM    Post subject: Re: handquilting equipment

Since you're in London, check this: http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/Quilting_Hoops.html Cotton Patch is a very
nice shop in Birmingham. I would tend to trust their quality. Roberta in D "Hanne Gottliebsen"
<hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:egvh56$q3b$1@qmul... [quote:71701ea9af]Panduro and Fredensborg
is now one shop - and at least on their website they don't have any hoops/frames. (Although, actually, how can I be
sure, when I don't know that these are called in Danish??? - My Danish quilting books are by Charlotte Yde, who uses a
machine). I guess I'll check on stability, if I do decide to go for a stand to go with the hoop. No frame for me at
this time, that's for sure. Hanne in London Roberta Zollner wrote: I have a quilt rack by Danewood, very pretty, but
not entirely stable. (Might be my fault for loading it down with quilts.) Think my hoop came from either Panduro or
Fredensborg Indkoebscentral. Roberta in D "Hanne Gottliebsen" <hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk> schrieb im
Newsbeitrag news:ego365$2k4$1@qmul... Well, the hoop I'm looking at is from a Danish company (danewood.dk). I think I'll
just go visit them at the workshop, it is only 45 min from my parents house. I'm sure in the US I could do better (on
price), but I'm here in Europe! I don't really want to buy this by mail order... Hanne in London Roberta Zollner
wrote: Goodness, the price of hoops has certainly escalated! My current favorite thimble is the John James with the
magnetic cap. The dimples seem easier on thread than an all-metal thimble, and the little magnet helps keep the needle
from springing off into oblivion. You do need a thimble to "rock" your stitches. Leather is very comfortable,
but I found that the blunt end of the needle tended to sink in as I rocked. Don't be afraid to try very small needles
-small ones tend to produce smaller stitches, so you get good results with less effort. I use #12 betweens. If you have
trouble threading, get one of those little wire loop threaders. Roberta in D "Hanne Gottliebsen"
<hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:egl2d1$4pj$1@qmul... So, I'm replying to myself... Thanks to
all of you for you suggestions. I _think_ I'll do the following: Get a hoop (just a hoop, no stand) and use my current
thimble (which I got for hand stitching label, bindings etc). Apart from finance (the hoop I'm looking at is just over
$30, the stand for that hoop is another $170), I wanted to bring it back in the suitcase when I next go to visit my
parents (buy it there, that is). And I think the stand might be quite heavy and possibly not pack up nicely. I never did
hand quilting before - maybe I won't like it at all. I certainly can justify (to myself at least) $30 to try it out, but
I'm not so sure about $200 :-) WRT thimbles: I've never done HQ, I have no idea what I'll prefer. I saw that Alex
Anderson in her book suggested getting cheapish thimbles for various styles/fingers to test before (possible) buying
more expensive ones. I'll try with my leather one first, I didn't realise this could potentially work, since books/web
sites talk about needing deep dimples for the needle to rest in. But I'll try. At least this means I can try out hand
quilting without spending a lot of money up front. I am sure that if I like it, the finance will go the same way as for
piecing and machine quilting :-) Thanks again, everyone. Hanne in London [/quote:71701ea9af]

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View entire thread: handquilting equipment
Posted by Hanne Gottliebsen on Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:50 AM    Post subject: Re: handquilting equipment

Panduro and Fredensborg is now one shop - and at least on their website they don't have any hoops/frames. (Although,
actually, how can I be sure, when I don't know that these are called in Danish??? - My Danish quilting books are by
Charlotte Yde, who uses a machine). I guess I'll check on stability, if I do decide to go for a stand to go with the
hoop. No frame for me at this time, that's for sure. Hanne in London Roberta Zollner wrote: [quote:c2b5b8a677]I have
a quilt rack by Danewood, very pretty, but not entirely stable. (Might be my fault for loading it down with quilts.)
Think my hoop came from either Panduro or Fredensborg Indkoebscentral. Roberta in D "Hanne Gottliebsen"
<hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:ego365$2k4$1@qmul... Well, the hoop I'm looking at is from a
Danish company (danewood.dk). I think I'll just go visit them at the workshop, it is only 45 min from my parents house.
I'm sure in the US I could do better (on price), but I'm here in Europe! I don't really want to buy this by mail
order... Hanne in London Roberta Zollner wrote: Goodness, the price of hoops has certainly escalated! My current
favorite thimble is the John James with the magnetic cap. The dimples seem easier on thread than an all-metal thimble,
and the little magnet helps keep the needle from springing off into oblivion. You do need a thimble to "rock"
your stitches. Leather is very comfortable, but I found that the blunt end of the needle tended to sink in as I rocked.
Don't be afraid to try very small needles -small ones tend to produce smaller stitches, so you get good results with
less effort. I use #12 betweens. If you have trouble threading, get one of those little wire loop threaders. Roberta in
D "Hanne Gottliebsen" <hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:egl2d1$4pj$1@qmul... So, I'm
replying to myself... Thanks to all of you for you suggestions. I _think_ I'll do the following: Get a hoop (just a
hoop, no stand) and use my current thimble (which I got for hand stitching label, bindings etc). Apart from finance
(the hoop I'm looking at is just over $30, the stand for that hoop is another $170), I wanted to bring it back in the
suitcase when I next go to visit my parents (buy it there, that is). And I think the stand might be quite heavy and
possibly not pack up nicely. I never did hand quilting before - maybe I won't like it at all. I certainly can justify
(to myself at least) $30 to try it out, but I'm not so sure about $200 :-) WRT thimbles: I've never done HQ, I have no
idea what I'll prefer. I saw that Alex Anderson in her book suggested getting cheapish thimbles for various
styles/fingers to test before (possible) buying more expensive ones. I'll try with my leather one first, I didn't
realise this could potentially work, since books/web sites talk about needing deep dimples for the needle to rest in.
But I'll try. At least this means I can try out hand quilting without spending a lot of money up front. I am sure that
if I like it, the finance will go the same way as for piecing and machine quilting :-) Thanks again, everyone. Hanne
in London [/quote:c2b5b8a677]

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View entire thread: handquilting equipment
Posted by Roberta Zollner on Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:46 PM    Post subject: Re: handquilting equipment

I have a quilt rack by Danewood, very pretty, but not entirely stable. (Might be my fault for loading it down with
quilts.) Think my hoop came from either Panduro or Fredensborg Indkoebscentral. Roberta in D "Hanne
Gottliebsen" <hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:ego365$2k4$1@qmul... [quote:538b8d47f9]Well,
the hoop I'm looking at is from a Danish company (danewood.dk). I think I'll just go visit them at the workshop, it is
only 45 min from my parents house. I'm sure in the US I could do better (on price), but I'm here in Europe! I don't
really want to buy this by mail order... Hanne in London Roberta Zollner wrote: Goodness, the price of hoops has
certainly escalated! My current favorite thimble is the John James with the magnetic cap. The dimples seem easier on
thread than an all-metal thimble, and the little magnet helps keep the needle from springing off into oblivion. You do
need a thimble to "rock" your stitches. Leather is very comfortable, but I found that the blunt end of the
needle tended to sink in as I rocked. Don't be afraid to try very small needles -small ones tend to produce smaller
stitches, so you get good results with less effort. I use #12 betweens. If you have trouble threading, get one of those
little wire loop threaders. Roberta in D "Hanne Gottliebsen" <hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk> schrieb im
Newsbeitrag news:egl2d1$4pj$1@qmul... So, I'm replying to myself... Thanks to all of you for you suggestions. I
_think_ I'll do the following: Get a hoop (just a hoop, no stand) and use my current thimble (which I got for hand
stitching label, bindings etc). Apart from finance (the hoop I'm looking at is just over $30, the stand for that hoop
is another $170), I wanted to bring it back in the suitcase when I next go to visit my parents (buy it there, that is).
And I think the stand might be quite heavy and possibly not pack up nicely. I never did hand quilting before - maybe I
won't like it at all. I certainly can justify (to myself at least) $30 to try it out, but I'm not so sure about $200 :-)
WRT thimbles: I've never done HQ, I have no idea what I'll prefer. I saw that Alex Anderson in her book suggested
getting cheapish thimbles for various styles/fingers to test before (possible) buying more expensive ones. I'll try with
my leather one first, I didn't realise this could potentially work, since books/web sites talk about needing deep
dimples for the needle to rest in. But I'll try. At least this means I can try out hand quilting without spending a lot
of money up front. I am sure that if I like it, the finance will go the same way as for piecing and machine quilting :-)
Thanks again, everyone. Hanne in London [/quote:538b8d47f9]

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View entire thread: handquilting equipment
Posted by Hanne Gottliebsen on Fri Oct 13, 2006 2:09 PM    Post subject: Re: handquilting equipment

Well, the hoop I'm looking at is from a Danish company (danewood.dk). I think I'll just go visit them at the workshop,
it is only 45 min from my parents house. I'm sure in the US I could do better (on price), but I'm here in Europe! I
don't really want to buy this by mail order... Hanne in London Roberta Zollner wrote: [quote:a883bc5289]Goodness,
the price of hoops has certainly escalated! My current favorite thimble is the John James with the magnetic cap. The
dimples seem easier on thread than an all-metal thimble, and the little magnet helps keep the needle from springing off
into oblivion. You do need a thimble to "rock" your stitches. Leather is very comfortable, but I found that
the blunt end of the needle tended to sink in as I rocked. Don't be afraid to try very small needles -small ones tend to
produce smaller stitches, so you get good results with less effort. I use #12 betweens. If you have trouble threading,
get one of those little wire loop threaders. Roberta in D "Hanne Gottliebsen" <hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk>
schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:egl2d1$4pj$1@qmul... So, I'm replying to myself... Thanks to all of you for you
suggestions. I _think_ I'll do the following: Get a hoop (just a hoop, no stand) and use my current thimble (which I
got for hand stitching label, bindings etc). Apart from finance (the hoop I'm looking at is just over $30, the stand
for that hoop is another $170), I wanted to bring it back in the suitcase when I next go to visit my parents (buy it
there, that is). And I think the stand might be quite heavy and possibly not pack up nicely. I never did hand quilting
before - maybe I won't like it at all. I certainly can justify (to myself at least) $30 to try it out, but I'm not so
sure about $200 :-) WRT thimbles: I've never done HQ, I have no idea what I'll prefer. I saw that Alex Anderson in her
book suggested getting cheapish thimbles for various styles/fingers to test before (possible) buying more expensive
ones. I'll try with my leather one first, I didn't realise this could potentially work, since books/web sites talk about
needing deep dimples for the needle to rest in. But I'll try. At least this means I can try out hand quilting without
spending a lot of money up front. I am sure that if I like it, the finance will go the same way as for piecing and
machine quilting :-) Thanks again, everyone. Hanne in London [/quote:a883bc5289]

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View entire thread: handquilting equipment
Posted by Roberta Zollner on Fri Oct 13, 2006 1:55 PM    Post subject: Re: handquilting equipment

Goodness, the price of hoops has certainly escalated! My current favorite thimble is the John James with the magnetic
cap. The dimples seem easier on thread than an all-metal thimble, and the little magnet helps keep the needle from
springing off into oblivion. You do need a thimble to "rock" your stitches. Leather is very comfortable, but
I found that the blunt end of the needle tended to sink in as I rocked. Don't be afraid to try very small needles
-small ones tend to produce smaller stitches, so you get good results with less effort. I use #12 betweens. If you
have trouble threading, get one of those little wire loop threaders. Roberta in D "Hanne Gottliebsen"
<hago@dcs.qmul.ac.uk> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:egl2d1$4pj$1@qmul... [quote:c2495112f4]So, I'm replying to
myself... Thanks to all of you for you suggestions. I _think_ I'll do the following: Get a hoop (just a hoop, no
stand) and use my current thimble (which I got for hand stitching label, bindings etc). Apart from finance (the hoop
I'm looking at is just over $30, the stand for that hoop is another $170), I wanted to bring it back in the suitcase
when I next go to visit my parents (buy it there, that is). And I think the stand might be quite heavy and possibly not
pack up nicely. I never did hand quilting before - maybe I won't like it at all. I certainly can justify (to myself at
least) $30 to try it out, but I'm not so sure about $200 :-) WRT thimbles: I've never done HQ, I have no idea what I'll
prefer. I saw that Alex Anderson in her book suggested getting cheapish thimbles for various styles/fingers to test
before (possible) buying more expensive ones. I'll try with my leather one first, I didn't realise this could
potentially work, since books/web sites talk about needing deep dimples for the needle to rest in. But I'll try. At
least this means I can try out hand quilting without spending a lot of money up front. I am sure that if I like it, the
finance will go the same way as for piecing and machine quilting :-) Thanks again, everyone. Hanne in
London[/quote:c2495112f4]

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View entire thread: handquilting equipment
Posted by Taria on Wed Oct 11, 2006 3:23 PM    Post subject: Re: handquilting equipment

I'm pretty impressed with your system Mary. I like the idea of the blocks in numbered envelopes. The quilt ladies sound
like a fun thing. Taria Mary wrote: [quote:cc3e23bd2d]I do 100% of my quilting by hand, and I imagine I break some of
the "rules", but I get rather spectacular results. First, I make my own templates using plastic sheets with
1/4" grid marks. And rather than make templates to draw around, I make the plastic sheets into stencils, so I can
drag my pencil in the inside of the holes -- much easier! Also, I cut the stencil holes the size of the finished pieces,
so I am actually marking seam lines and not cutting lines. By placing the stencil holes 1/2" apart and cutting the
fabric between the seam lines, I have cut pieces marked for stitiching. I have template sheets covered with 2"
squares, template sheets with 1" squares, etc, so I can mark quite a few pieces at once. And I always save those
sheets for use on later quilts. When I design a quilt, with a little arithmetic I can very easily figure how much of
each fabric I will need, and add a wee bit more for errors in cutting, etc. When I cut the fabric, I already know how
many of each piece of each size and fabric I need, and cut it all at once. Then I lay out all the little piles of cut
and marked pieces of each size and fabric, and then re-arrange them into little piles of the fabric pieces needed for
each block. Each pile for a block is put into its own envelope (I use regular mailing envelopes) with the flap tucked
in but not sealed. Being a cheapskate I re-use all those envelopes, and have them numbered in the corner, so when I'm
opening envelope #26, for example, I know I have already stitched 25. I can take envelopes with me when I travel, along
with my small plastic box of stitching stuff -- threads, scissors, needles, thimbles, etc -- in a tote bag. As each
block is finished I fold it, slip it back into its envelope, and begin another. As to the quilting itself, I break a
major "rule" by not using a frame or hoop at all! Instead, when I assemble the quilt 'sandwich' I put in
quite a few pins so I can move the sandwich from the floor to the dining room table (which is very carefully covered
with pads, table cloth, and finally a plastic picnic-style cloth or shower curtain liner). Then, beginning at the
center and working out, I baste rather closely (stitches about 1"), using up a lot of leftover or junky thread. A
closely-basted sandwich doesn't shift, so I simply lap-quilt, which I find comfortable, convenient, and conducive to the
very tiny stitches I use. Since I don't drag the quilt around a lot or let people manhandle it I don't need to baste a
scrap binding on it, although if I were planning to take it on a trip to my niece's house with both toddlers and dogs I
probably would. Once I was working on some whole cloth quilting while covering phones at the church office, and it was
the day the quilters came in to work on the current quilt at the church. A couple of the very old, very opinionated,
very excellent quilters stopped by the office, saw what I was doing, and very firmly told me it was simply NOT RIGHT and
that to quilt without a hoop or frame was sure to get horrible results. I flipped the piece over (it was a Christmas
tree skirt) to show them, and they were very impressed, apologised for being critical, and told me to keep on doing what
I was doing because it was excellent. However, they did tell me that I really need to learn to do fine stitching with a
frame so I could join a proper quilting group, and offered to teach me to quilt properly with a frame so I could join
them every Tuesday afternoon. These ladies have a lot to teach, and I have a lot to learn, so I am planning to join
them. Anyhow, the bottom line is to do what you enjoy and get good results with, and don't worry too much about the
"rules", because there are, after all, no Quilt Police! [/quote:cc3e23bd2d]

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View entire thread: handquilting equipment
Posted by Mary on Wed Oct 11, 2006 3:14 PM    Post subject: Re: handquilting equipment

I do 100% of my quilting by hand, and I imagine I break some of the "rules", but I get rather spectacular
results. First, I make my own templates using plastic sheets with 1/4" grid marks. And rather than make templates
to draw around, I make the plastic sheets into stencils, so I can drag my pencil in the inside of the holes -- much
easier! Also, I cut the stencil holes the size of the finished pieces, so I am actually marking seam lines and not
cutting lines. By placing the stencil holes 1/2" apart and cutting the fabric between the seam lines, I have cut
pieces marked for stitiching. I have template sheets covered with 2" squares, template sheets with 1"
squares, etc, so I can mark quite a few pieces at once. And I always save those sheets for use on later quilts. When I
design a quilt, with a little arithmetic I can very easily figure how much of each fabric I will need, and add a wee bit
more for errors in cutting, etc. When I cut the fabric, I already know how many of each piece of each size and fabric I
need, and cut it all at once. Then I lay out all the little piles of cut and marked pieces of each size and fabric, and
then re-arrange them into little piles of the fabric pieces needed for each block. Each pile for a block is put into
its own envelope (I use regular mailing envelopes) with the flap tucked in but not sealed. Being a cheapskate I re-use
all those envelopes, and have them numbered in the corner, so when I'm opening envelope #26, for example, I know I have
already stitched 25. I can take envelopes with me when I travel, along with my small plastic box of stitching stuff --
threads, scissors, needles, thimbles, etc -- in a tote bag. As each block is finished I fold it, slip it back into its
envelope, and begin another. As to the quilting itself, I break a major "rule" by not using a frame or hoop
at all! Instead, when I assemble the quilt 'sandwich' I put in quite a few pins so I can move the sandwich from the
floor to the dining room table (which is very carefully covered with pads, table cloth, and finally a plastic picnic-
style cloth or shower curtain liner). Then, beginning at the center and working out, I baste rather closely (stitches
about 1"), using up a lot of leftover or junky thread. A closely-basted sandwich doesn't shift, so I simply lap-
quilt, which I find comfortable, convenient, and conducive to the very tiny stitches I use. Since I don't drag the
quilt around a lot or let people manhandle it I don't need to baste a scrap binding on it, although if I were planning
to take it on a trip to my niece's house with both toddlers and dogs I probably would. Once I was working on some whole
cloth quilting while covering phones at the church office, and it was the day the quilters came in to work on the
current quilt at the church. A couple of the very old, very opinionated, very excellent quilters stopped by the office,
saw what I was doing, and very firmly told me it was simply NOT RIGHT and that to quilt without a hoop or frame was sure
to get horrible results. I flipped the piece over (it was a Christmas tree skirt) to show them, and they were very
impressed, apologised for being critical, and told me to keep on doing what I was doing because it was excellent.
However, they did tell me that I really need to learn to do fine stitching with a frame so I could join a proper
quilting group, and offered to teach me to quilt properly with a frame so I could join them every Tuesday afternoon.
These ladies have a lot to teach, and I have a lot to learn, so I am planning to join them. Anyhow, the bottom line is
to do what you enjoy and get good results with, and don't worry too much about the "rules", because there are,
after all, no Quilt Police! Hanne Gottliebsen wrote: [quote:119339f643]So, having tried my hand at handpiecing (going
quite well, if I say so myself), I'm now thinking more seriously about learning handquilting too. Where I live there
aren't many classes etc, but so far I've learnt from books, web, you guys etc more than from classes. Regardless, I
need to get some stuff, right? For space and financial reasons, a hoop seems like a good place to start for me, and I've
found some that look nice that I can easily get when visiting my parents in a months time. I was thinking to just get
the hoop, this guy also does floor stands and gizmos that attaches the hoop to the table. If needed I could get one of
those later? But do I need some sort of stand to even get started? And if not, then how do you balance everything (hoop
and using both hands for quilting). And what about a thimble? I use a nimble thimble for hand stitching, but I gather
that is not suitable for quilting (no little holes for the needle to sit in). Hanne in London PS. The handpieced
9-patches have generally straight seams, but the eye balling of 1/4" is still work in progress. But as someone
kindly said last week, it is easier to fudge than when machine piecing :-)[/quote:119339f643]

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View entire thread: New member, new quilter
Posted by Jessamy on Wed Oct 11, 2006 7:15 PM    Post subject: Re: New member, new quilter - thanks so much!

that's what we do :-D I can't live without my seam ripper, sharps needles, pins in different sizes , my thimble it
thimble pads. I don't use a frame for quilting but then I cheat and use a machine LOL join in the gang and don't forget
to send chocolate to the official chocolate taster ;-) -- Jessamy Queen of Chocolate Squishies (and Occasional
Liquorice Ones) In The Netherlands Take out: _I love the colour_ to reply. www.geocities.com/jessamy_thompson
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jessamy_thompson/my_photos ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wow! You
folks have really made me feel welcome with all your advice . Thanks SO much for your encouragement! I'll see how the
spoon goes - I bought it, so I might as well try it. There is so much equipment out there, and I haven't a clue as to
what's valuable and what isn't, just yet. Thimbles, frames -- there seem as endless a list of possibilities as a chess
table set to start a game! What tools and techniques are ones you can't live without? In addition to what you can see
from a galloping horse, of course! (I LOVE that one...) In stitches - Susan

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Posted by Cats on Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:07 AM    Post subject: Re: New member, new quilter - thanks so much!

Tools - Thimble pads (leather dots) and under thimbles (small metal domes) that stick on the end of your finger in
place of the traditional thimble. I have never been able to use a thimble. Techniques - strip piecing (which I use
for lots of things), Pieclique (the method used by Sharon Schamber, which I haven't tried yet but certainly plan to),
and my own weird way of doing applique on prequilted surfaces. BTW - do you have a photo page so we can see your work?
Any QI's (Quilt Inspectors, usually four legged and furry)? Oh, and . . . .Does your quilting spoon have a notch cut
in the end? I should warn you that sooner or later someone here will ask for your chocolate preferences too
lol -- Cheryl & the Cats o o o o o o ( > Y < ) ( > Y < ) ( >
Y < ) Enness Boofhead Donut http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau "smeehan" <smeehan@wap.org> wrote in message
news:1160560101.890302.159400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com... : Wow! You folks have really made me feel welcome with
all your advice . : Thanks SO much for your encouragement! I'll see how the spoon goes - I : bought it, so I might as
well try it. There is so much equipment out : there, and I haven't a clue as to what's valuable and what isn't, just
: yet. Thimbles, frames -- there seem as endless a list of possibilities : as a chess table set to start a game! : :
What tools and techniques are ones you can't live without? In addition : to what you can see from a galloping horse, of
course! (I LOVE that : one...) : : In stitches - : : Susan : : : Cats wrote: : > Hi and Welcome from Downunder! :
> : > -- : > : > Cheryl & the Cats : > o o o o o o : > ( > Y <
) ( > Y < ) ( > Y < ) : > Enness Boofhead Donut : >
http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest : > catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau : > : >
"smeehan" <smeehan@wap.org> wrote in message : >
news:1160555795.046962.223500@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com... : > : I'm a new member, living in Washington, DC. I'm
making my : > first quilt, : > : and I do not machine quilt. (I've had 3 sewing machines : > in the past, :
> : and have hated every one of them and ended up giving them : > away!) I've : > : just finished piecing the
top, and am trying to correct : > little problems : > : before I face quilting. My pattern is of 22 stack 'n :
> whack : > : hexagons set on point. It's intensely vivid, which is : > good, because I'm : > : hoping it
will draw the eye away from where I have some : > off-center : > : centers where the hexagons join together. How
DO you fix : > that?? And I : > : have some points at the end that will likely be : > guillotined a trifle, :
> : as well. : > : : > : I have just realized that actual quilting requires a : > completely : > :
different handstitch than the usual running stitch. I : > will be taking a : > : class today at the Jinny Beyer
studio, and hope I can : > master it in 3 : > : hours. I'm slow in assimilating new handmovements; I : > took
a course on : > : tesselations recently, and found myself well behind on : > cutting the : > : tesselation
patterns out (probably failed 2nd grade), and : > so I hope : > : I'll get this new stitch under my belt. I've
bought a : > special spoon -- : > : hope it does the trick! Do I sound a bit anxious? I am, : > I am. : >
: : > : I'm good on color and design and hope that these strengths : > will keep me : > : going as I struggle
through this my first quilt. I hope : > this group : > : will have at least a few other hand quilters who can
give : > me advice -- : > : quilting is an obsessively fascinating skill, I think, : > with the richest : >
: of rewards. : > : : > : Stitch happy! : > : : > : Susan : > : :

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View entire thread: New member, new quilter
Posted by smeehan on Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:48 AM    Post subject: Re: New member, new quilter - thanks so much!

Wow! You folks have really made me feel welcome with all your advice . Thanks SO much for your encouragement! I'll see
how the spoon goes - I bought it, so I might as well try it. There is so much equipment out there, and I haven't a clue
as to what's valuable and what isn't, just yet. Thimbles, frames -- there seem as endless a list of possibilities as a
chess table set to start a game! What tools and techniques are ones you can't live without? In addition to what you
can see from a galloping horse, of course! (I LOVE that one...) In stitches - Susan Cats wrote:
[quote:f1668fefd3]Hi and Welcome from Downunder! -- Cheryl & the Cats o o o o o o ( >
Y < ) ( > Y < ) ( > Y < ) Enness Boofhead Donut
http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau "smeehan"
<smeehan@wap.org> wrote in message news:1160555795.046962.223500@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com... : I'm a new
member, living in Washington, DC. I'm making my first quilt, : and I do not machine quilt. (I've had 3 sewing machines
in the past, : and have hated every one of them and ended up giving them away!) I've : just finished piecing the top,
and am trying to correct little problems : before I face quilting. My pattern is of 22 stack 'n whack : hexagons set on
point. It's intensely vivid, which is good, because I'm : hoping it will draw the eye away from where I have some off-
center : centers where the hexagons join together. How DO you fix that?? And I : have some points at the end that will
likely be guillotined a trifle, : as well. : : I have just realized that actual quilting requires a completely :
different handstitch than the usual running stitch. I will be taking a : class today at the Jinny Beyer studio, and
hope I can master it in 3 : hours. I'm slow in assimilating new handmovements; I took a course on : tesselations
recently, and found myself well behind on cutting the : tesselation patterns out (probably failed 2nd grade), and so I
hope : I'll get this new stitch under my belt. I've bought a special spoon -- : hope it does the trick! Do I sound a
bit anxious? I am, I am. : : I'm good on color and design and hope that these strengths will keep me : going as I
struggle through this my first quilt. I hope this group : will have at least a few other hand quilters who can give me
advice -- : quilting is an obsessively fascinating skill, I think, with the richest : of rewards. : : Stitch happy! : :
Susan :[/quote:f1668fefd3]

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View entire thread: Sewing machine question - Janome Jem
Posted by Sherry Starr on Tue Oct 10, 2006 4:35 PM    Post subject: Re: Sewing machine question - Janome Jem

I bought a Jem Gold about 3-4 years ago, and I love it. It is perfect to take to classes/retreats. I have used it for
quilting a twin size quilt a few times. I won a Marie Osmond Bernina e65 last year from the Houston show. It is
larger than the Jem Gold, and much heavier so there is no danger of it being taken to a retreat. The feed dogs on it
drop, and it has more stitches than the Jem Gold, but I really prefer the Jem Gold. I make myself use the e65 because
I feel like I need to get more familiar with it. Sherry Starr "Ginger in CA" <gaw93031@msn.com> wrote
in message news:1160447306.501974.203550@c28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... [quote:7fb873ba94]I am thinking of buying a
Janome Jem Gold 660. My question is: do you have one, do you like it, would you recommend it to your friend? If you had
one but didn't like it, why? I am going to downsize my machine count, but have been thinking of buying one of these to
go to retreat/everyday use. My other two would be my portable Stradivaro (Singer 115 look-alike that weighs 30 lbs) and
Singer 401A slant in her own table. I don't do any machine quilting at this time. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Ginger in CA [/quote:7fb873ba94]

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View entire thread: Sewing machine question - Janome Jem
Posted by Tamara on Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:09 AM    Post subject: Re: Sewing machine question - Janome Jem

Ginger, I had a Janome Gold and loved it. It was my main sewing machine for years until I fell into a great deal on a
Viking. I kept my Janome for classes and retreats as it was light weight. Recently I upgraded to the Jem Platinum
720 as I didn't need a all the fancy stitches of the Jem Platinum 760. I have more fancy stitches on my Viking that I
know what to do with. The reason I upgraded was for the needle up and down, the ability to move the needle and some
of the fancy stitches. You might want to check out the Janome web site and look at the different machines.
http://www.janome.com/products.php Hope this helps. Tamara also in CA Ginger in CA wrote: [quote:40c3e568f5]I am
thinking of buying a Janome Jem Gold 660. My question is: do you have one, do you like it, would you recommend it to
your friend? If you had one but didn't like it, why? I am going to downsize my machine count, but have been thinking of
buying one of these to go to retreat/everyday use. My other two would be my portable Stradivaro (Singer 115 look-alike
that weighs 30 lbs) and Singer 401A slant in her own table. I don't do any machine quilting at this time. Thanks in
advance for your feedback! Ginger in CA [/quote:40c3e568f5]

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View entire thread: quilting question...
Posted by Susan Torrens on Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:25 PM    Post subject: Re: quilting question...

This was a surprise to me, as I had always quilted with my Pfaff, with the built in dual-feed foot. Now that I am doing
most of my quilting and sewing on a Juki, I have to use a regular walking foot, and no reverse! -- Susan in Kingston ON
trying to get all the fall projects completed before heading south for the winter....
http://community.webshots.com/user/sbtinkingston "Cats" <CATS@NO.SPAM.com> wrote in message
news:45282fba$1_1@news.chariot.net.au... [quote:2187bb8e59]What sort of foot are you using? With or without a walking
foot my Janome does shorter-than-normal-sewing stitches in rev. And I don't think walking feet are designed to reverse
anyway are they, based on the teeth gripping fabric and moving it towards the back with each needle rise/fall? The
mechanism in the WF doesn't recognise that the machine is in rev. If you are using a jumping foot with feed dogs down
it wouldn't matter 'cos you wouldn't need to be in reverse. I guess I could try pulling more to bring the stitches to
the "normal" size but with my luck I would break something - a needle, a sewing foot, my neck as I fell
backwards out of my chair, . . . . . I would quilt all the short sides (two per HST) in a zig-zag top-to-bottom of the
quilt, then go back and do all the hypoteneuse (hypoteneuses, hyptoenii, sp?) top-to-bottom of the quilt. Lots of
thread ends, but easier sewing and the degree of extra work would depend on how you finish your thread ends. Good luck
with the project. -- Cheryl & the Cats o o o o o o ( > Y < ) ( > Y < )
( > Y < ) Enness Boofhead Donut http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau "Jessamy" <jessamy_thompson@_ilove thecolour_orange.nl wrote in message
news:4527fb19$0$60075$dbd41001@news.wanadoo.nl... : while wresting with the monster show quilt I was wondering.. can you
quilt a : quilt using the reverse button on your sewing machine and if so does it look : as good as going forwards? : :
if so then I can save myself a *lot* of wrestling as I do the small accent : triangles I *need* to do to make the quilt
"work" : : sorry no pics just think of a 2 1/2" half HST shaped triangle set on point : on a queen sized
quilt. and then 144 of them... : : -- : Jessamy : Queen of Chocolate Squishies (and Occasional Liquorice Ones) : In The
Netherlands : Take out: _I love the colour_ to reply. : www.geocities.com/jessamy_thompson :
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jessamy_thompson/my_photos : ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ : :
[/quote:2187bb8e59]

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View entire thread: OT: Not gonna buy any more fabric this month
Posted by Valerie in FL on Sat Oct 07, 2006 12:23 PM    Post subject: Re: Juki machine

I love mine. It took a little while to get the tension right, but once I did, it doesn't matter what I'm sewing, the
tension is still perfect. I also really like the thread cutter button on the foot pedal, which both cuts the threads
and raises the needle (the machine always ends with needle down) but I still haven't gotten the hang of the knee pedal
for raising the machine foot. Maybe it's because if I am chain piecing I never have to lift the foot; I just feed the
next pieces in. The edge of the walking foot is 1/4", and I find I use it for most of my piecing, although it does
come with a regular 1/4" foot, along with a zipper foot and general purpose foot and 2 feet for free-motion
quilting. It has a switch to drop the feed dogs for free motion and there is a lot of room to the right of the needle.
It took me a little while to get up to its full speed of 1500 stitches per minute, mostly for piecing long strips. I
saw that Juki now has a TL98QE, which runs about $200 less than the TL98Q I bought, and seems to be an identical
machine except it's missing the thread cutting button on the machine itself, so I guess you can only activate the
thread cutting from the foot pedal. It is a wholly mechanical machine, and because of the speed of the motor, I do oil
it every time I use it, as recommended. In fact, if I'm sewing all day, I'll oil it again after 3-4 hours. I have a
Brother 270D for fancy stitches and machine embroidery which does a fair job, but it's the Juki that I use all the
time. I look at my purchase of my sewing cabinet as a gift for my Juki. How strange it that?? :) HTH -- Valerie in
FL My quilts: http://community.webshots.com/user/vjkahler "Sunny" <shemphill@genext.net> wrote in
message news:1159987011.968654.40760@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com... [quote:cab5c9bbc2]Valerie, how do you like your
Juki TL98Q? It's one of the machines I'm looking at.....one of the configurations I'm considering. I used the Babylock
that's similar and it made freehand quilting a dream. But I like what I've read about the Juki better than the Babylock.
And I just want to hear from somebody who has one. Sunny Valerie in FL wrote: I wish I *was* kidding. It does include
a nice Horn-type sewing cabinet and associated add-ons for my existing Juki TL98Q, which I bought back in 2004. That was
my birthday present, so I guess it really doesn't count. :) DH laughed at my sign until I told him I bought 100 yards
of fabric in June. He likes watching me quilt, so he doesn't mind too much. The rest is mostly additions to my stash or
for specific projects. My problem is that I can't pass up a sale. I am always in different online shops, looking over
the clearance 'rack', and when I see good quality batiks or hand-dyes for $5 or less per yard, I haven't been able to
control myself. Lately I've been shopping online but instead of checking out, I empty the cart. Because I am finally
realizing that it will be months, if not years before I use my purchase, and there is always going to be more fabric
when I'm ready to buy more. I hope it works. Valerie in FL "maryd" <mardor@*net> wrote in message
news:12i62lnhghrtnc0@corp.supernews.com... You are both kidding, right? $3500 has to include a machine and $1500 in
less than 2 months must include bolts of fabric. I've maybe spent $200 and that includes books and rotary blades. --
Mary http://community.webshots.com/user/mardor1948 "Jacqueline" <coldiron46@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e326i258l7ulqdq3upl7jip6bqkkt2nd5u@4ax.com... : Valerie, I need one of those signs that covers my entire monitor.
: Just think I just started doing this and I have spent over $1500 since : August. Think what a whole year would have
done to me. I have quit : spending now though. Well there is some more fabric that I want but I : want to figure out
what to do with it first. : : Still haven't cut my first piece and I decided yesterday that little : thing I am calling
a doll quilt is not going to line up at all so am : about to toss it except it is good to practice on. : : Jacqueline :
: : On Tue, 3 Oct 2006 07:42:24 -0400, "Valerie in FL" : <vjkahler@bellsouth.net> wrote: : : >I have
a 4" high stop sign taped to my computer monitor that says "STOP : >Shopping!" : : >I think I need
to make it bigger. : : >Valerie in FL (who discovered yesterday that I have spent over $3500 this : >year so far
on fabrics and assorted quilting-related stuff. Damn Microsoft : >Money, anyway.) : : >I think I have a sickness;
I really do. : : >"Sunny" <shemphill@genext.net> wrote in message :
>news:1159753891.866588.251000@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com... : >> Ok, I'm afraid I have a problem. I seem
unable to go more than a few : >> days without buying fabric, even if I don't intend to make said : >>
purchases. And I'm trying like heck to save up for a new sewing machine : >> (which I don't really NEED but I do
want). So I'm issuing myself a : >> challenge: Go the entire month of October without buying one single : >>
piece of fabric. Whew, made it through Day 1. LOL. Seriously, I think I : >> buy way too much fabric considering
how much I have on hand and how : >> many projects I have in the pipe and just keep putting off because my :
>> head is turned by a new pretty yard or two and I go off on in new : >> tangent. : : >> I want to
finish the half dozen or so WIPs I have going. These are : >> things I've promised to people. Gifts sort
of....well, more like "Hey, : >> you're going to make me a quilt, aren't you?" sort of transactions. Are
: >> those considered gifts? I buy the fabric and make the quilt, so I guess : >> it sort of counts. : :
>> So I'm going to go back to the projects I was enjoying so much when I : >> put them aside for a new idea.
I'm going to finish my sister's quilt : >> (needs quilting), my son's fleece quilt (groan for forcing that monster
: >> around in my SM to quilt it), my Easter tablecloth (was going to have : >> it done last Easter -- needs
quilting and applique detailing), t wo : >> quilts for my bed, and several little ones. I finally am going to take
: >> the time to make and complete a memorial wall hanging for my friend : >> Celeste who died last year.
It's designed and planned and I just have : >> to start cutting and stitching. : : >> There you go. A real
challenge. I'm not sure I can go an entire month : >> without buying fabric. I am going to try like the dickens.
If all goes : >> well, then by the start of November my sauna will once again be : >> organized and I'll be
able to find what I want from my stash. : : >> Sunny : : [/quote:cab5c9bbc2]

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View entire thread: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches
Posted by Scorpio on Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:56 PM    Post subject: Re: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches

Had the same problem Martha! My needle was in backwards.... fixed the problem instantly. Since usually a problem is
what leads me to putting a new needle, I didn't realize that I was compoundingmy problems.. ~NS Boca Jan wrote:
[quote:7db3905c84]I always make sure that my needle is in correctly. I have to put the flat part to the back, however
sometimes I forget and get it turned around making my stitches skip. -- Boca Jan Florida - Land of the Hurricanes
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/poo_de_doo/myphotos "Martha" <martha54@sover.net> wrote in message news:
martha54-A575A2.14375427092006@news.sover.net... Help! My machine quilting has just gone to pot, with longer skipped
stitches! I asked this question before, and part of the answer was a blunt needle, but I just changed it perhaps five
rows of quilting ago. The tension setting is where it was too. And it happened very suddenly. This time I will save
the answer! TIA! Martha[/quote:7db3905c84]

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View entire thread: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches
Posted by Allison on Thu Sep 28, 2006 6:32 PM    Post subject: Re: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches

I had this problem just recently when doing free motion. Tried rethreading w/ no success. But when I changed the
needle the problem went away.....there was a very very small bend to my needle that was messing things up. HTH
Allison Martha wrote: [quote:d5e145bc30]Help! My machine quilting has just gone to pot, with longer skipped stitches!
I asked this question before, and part of the answer was a blunt needle, but I just changed it perhaps five rows of
quilting ago. The tension setting is where it was too. And it happened very suddenly. This time I will save the
answer! TIA! Martha[/quote:d5e145bc30]

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View entire thread: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches
Posted by Boca Jan on Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:18 AM    Post subject: Re: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches

I always make sure that my needle is in correctly. I have to put the flat part to the back, however sometimes I forget
and get it turned around making my stitches skip. -- Boca Jan Florida - Land of the Hurricanes
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/poo_de_doo/myphotos "Martha" <martha54@sover.net> wrote in message
news:martha54-A575A2.14375427092006@news.sover.net... [quote:d8900b638f]Help! My machine quilting has just gone to pot,
with longer skipped stitches! I asked this question before, and part of the answer was a blunt needle, but I just
changed it perhaps five rows of quilting ago. The tension setting is where it was too. And it happened very suddenly.
This time I will save the answer! TIA! Martha[/quote:d8900b638f]

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View entire thread: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches
Posted by Tracey on Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:07 PM    Post subject: Re: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches

"Martha" <martha54@sover.net> wrote in message news:martha54-A575A2.14375427092006@news.sover.net...
[quote:4d5ee52a4f]Help! My machine quilting has just gone to pot, with longer skipped stitches! I asked this question
before, and part of the answer was a blunt needle, but I just changed it perhaps five rows of quilting ago. The tension
setting is where it was too. [/quote:4d5ee52a4f] move the quilt more slowly.

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View entire thread: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches
Posted by Sandy Foster on Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:27 PM    Post subject: Re: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches

In article <martha54-A575A2.14375427092006@news.sover.net>, Martha <martha54@sover.net> wrote:
[quote:f4e3a596d7]Help! My machine quilting has just gone to pot, with longer skipped stitches! I asked this question
before, and part of the answer was a blunt needle, but I just changed it perhaps five rows of quilting ago. The tension
setting is where it was too. And it happened very suddenly. This time I will save the answer! TIA! Martha
[/quote:f4e3a596d7] Yup -- what Pat on the Hill says -- those are all good steps to take. :) -- Sandy in Henderson,
near Las Vegas my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1 AKA Dame Sandy,
Minister of Education

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View entire thread: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches
Posted by Patti on Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:10 PM    Post subject: Re: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches

My machine went 'all peculiar' recently, as I was in the middle of something. So, I did all the usual remedies from
this group! and it worked. Of course, because I did everything, I don't know what it was that cured the problem
>gg< I re-threaded, took out the bobbin and made sure that was put back correctly, took off the needle plate and
cleaned underneath - there didn't seem to be a lot of fluff but maybe one bit was in just the wrong place? Also, just
occasionally, my stitches suddenly enlarge! When that happens, I just switch the machine off, count to 10 or 20 and
then switch it back on. It has usually sorted itself out again by then. Good luck! .. In message <martha54-
A575A2.14375427092006@news.sover.net>, Martha <martha54@sover.net> writes [quote:6cde226184]Help! My machine
quilting has just gone to pot, with longer skipped stitches! I asked this question before, and part of the answer was a
blunt needle, but I just changed it perhaps five rows of quilting ago. The tension setting is where it was too. And it
happened very suddenly. This time I will save the answer! TIA! Martha [/quote:6cde226184] -- Best Regards pat on the
hill

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View entire thread: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches
Posted by Martha on Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:38 PM    Post subject: Machine quilting contains longer, skipped, stitches

Help! My machine quilting has just gone to pot, with longer skipped stitches! I asked this question before, and part
of the answer was a blunt needle, but I just changed it perhaps five rows of quilting ago. The tension setting is
where it was too. And it happened very suddenly. This time I will save the answer! TIA! Martha

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View entire thread: Most used machine
Posted by Sunny on Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:19 PM    Post subject: Re: Most used machine

Teri, which do you use for machine quilting? Sunny TerriLee in WA wrote: [quote:f3fdd4f6a6]My Bernina 930, hands down.
Work horse extraordinaire, for everything from denim to silk! Bought brand new in the early 80s, and only been to the
shop for maintenance twice in her life. I also have a Phaff (2042, I think) that I use for fancy stitches, but it
doesn't seem to like piecing. Maybe she gets bored? Then the Bernina serger and the Bernina Deco embroidery machine.
Also have a Bernina 830 in the house, but that is DH's machine. Oh, and a treadle, that needs some work before I can use
it. Jeez! can you tell I'm partial to Berninas? LOL -- TerriLee in WA (state) remove the cats to reply
"maryd" <mardor@*net> wrote in message news:12hh742an0u2u7f@corp.supernews.com... What sewing machine do
you use the most? I use a '79 or so model White ESP that was given to me. My cheap Wal-Mart Brother was a waste of
money. I also have a Singer Merritt that sits in it's cabinet in the hall and hasn't been used for about 3 years. --
Mary http://community.webshots.com/user/mardor1948 [/quote:f3fdd4f6a6]

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View entire thread: Most used machine
Posted by polly esther on Wed Sep 27, 2006 1:20 AM    Post subject: Re: Most used machine

Not only am I sneaky, but also devious and manipulative. They were career assets. That aside, I think you might
consider buying a drafting table. Mine will adjust from anywhere from 25" from the floor up to comfortable for
stitching while standing if you take a notion to do that. A drafting table will sit level or you can tilt the table if
you like. I didn't like. Thank you for the review of the Pfaff 130. I really was curious. Polly
"NightMist" wrote > Sneaky Polly! [quote:fe35c197c8]I wasn't going to reply on this thread because with
two fairly new to me machines and shuffling the house about while undergoing some repair and remodel I haven't quite
settled on which machine is going to get the most use for what. But! I have a Pfaff 130 and it now my new favorite
machine that does more than straight stitch. It is absolutely awesome for heavy work, like garment leather or layers of
denim or canvas. I haven't had a go yet with anything heavier. I need new leather needles. I am still playing with
its stitches and will remember to fill you in when I am sure I know what I am doing with it. The only problem so far is
the cord has to come out of the cabinet to run to the machine, and the notch cut for it to do so doen't always match up
with it. I will fix that problem as soon as I have hauled it up the stairs. I think the Free-Westinghouse may turn out
to be my favorite for machine quilting. The top mount motor has turned out to be a real advantage when quilting. I
imagine it would also be advantageous for sewing things that seem like they were measured in acres. (G) Of the other
three machines only the Imperial is in a cabinet, and that one will likely be retired until I can afford to have Billy
the Clown in to have a serious look into it's innards. The 99 just kills me because I do not have a place to use it that
is the right height. I have to sit on books and they tend to slide. Gonna have to build me a little stand for it. It
has a good feel, a nice stitch, and I prefer knee levers to foot pedels. The Bel-Air Bantam has been my workhorse. I
have sewed miles and miles on that little machine. None the less I will be happy to switch to one of the cabinet
machines for most work. There is a more than three inch drop from the case to the work surface, and that is just a
royal pain with anything slinky or heavy. Plus, all the machines but the Bel-Air are knee lever. If I have to tote a
machine somewhere for some reason, the Bantam is still going to be my baby. NightMist -- The wolf that understands fire
has much to eat.[/quote:fe35c197c8]

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View entire thread: Most used machine
Posted by NightMist on Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:41 PM    Post subject: Re: Most used machine

On Tue, 26 Sep 2006 12:48:27 GMT, "polly esther" <misterclean@mindspring.com> wrote:
[quote:1d45928b67]Hello, my name is Polly Esther and I am set in my ways. I had to drag myself kicking and screaming
away from the Bernina 1230 and force me to use the Bernina 155. . So much easier to use the old familiar instead of
learning a new SM. The 1230 has a million miles on her and I really did have to peel my cold fingers away from her and
force me to grow accustomed to the little differences in the two. I would love to play with the old Pfaff 130 that's
supposed to stitch several layers of denim without pause and! the new Pfaff with the fabric mover and stitch regulator.
Has anyone made friends with either of these? Polly Sneaky Polly![/quote:1d45928b67] I wasn't going to reply on this
thread because with two fairly new to me machines and shuffling the house about while undergoing some repair and remodel
I haven't quite settled on which machine is going to get the most use for what. But! I have a Pfaff 130 and it now my
new favorite machine that does more than straight stitch. It is absolutely awesome for heavy work, like garment leather
or layers of denim or canvas. I haven't had a go yet with anything heavier. I need new leather needles. I am still
playing with its stitches and will remember to fill you in when I am sure I know what I am doing with it. The only
problem so far is the cord has to come out of the cabinet to run to the machine, and the notch cut for it to do so
doen't always match up with it. I will fix that problem as soon as I have hauled it up the stairs. I think the Free-
Westinghouse may turn out to be my favorite for machine quilting. The top mount motor has turned out to be a real
advantage when quilting. I imagine it would also be advantageous for sewing things that seem like they were measured in
acres. (G) Of the other three machines only the Imperial is in a cabinet, and that one will likely be retired until I
can afford to have Billy the Clown in to have a serious look into it's innards. The 99 just kills me because I do not
have a place to use it that is the right height. I have to sit on books and they tend to slide. Gonna have to build me
a little stand for it. It has a good feel, a nice stitch, and I prefer knee levers to foot pedels. The Bel-Air Bantam
has been my workhorse. I have sewed miles and miles on that little machine. None the less I will be happy to switch to
one of the cabinet machines for most work. There is a more than three inch drop from the case to the work surface, and
that is just a royal pain with anything slinky or heavy. Plus, all the machines but the Bel-Air are knee lever. If I
have to tote a machine somewhere for some reason, the Bantam is still going to be my baby. NightMist -- The wolf that
understands fire has much to eat.

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View entire thread: Method: Foundation Piecing by Hand
Posted by BJ on Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:06 PM    Post subject: Re: Method: Foundation Piecing by Hand

Hi Dannielle, if all you want is to work on the hand-stitching (not the paper piecing) a scrappy string quilt is great.
I have now hand pieced three quilt tops. The first one was a shaded nine patch
(http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bj31032/detail?.dir=/6dcare2&.dnm=6e49re2.jpg&.src=ph). The hand quilting caused
me to have to have thumb surgery. I just recovered enough to start quilting on the first scrappy string
(http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bj31032/detail?.dir=/6dcare2&.dnm=aa2are2.jpg&.src=ph). While I was recovering,
I pieced a blue scrappy string
(http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bj31032/detail?.dir=/6dcare2&.dnm=4c1are2.jpg&.src=ph). The string quilt is so
easy because you can use strips of any and every width. You sew them to squares of muslin - any lightweight fabric I
guess. My squares are 6.5 inches. that seems to be a good size for my hands to work with. Here's a great place to see
instructions: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bj31032/detail?.dir=/6dcare2&.dnm=4c1are2.jpg&.src=ph. When I
started hand piecing my stitches looked like a 5 year old did them. I can proudly say that now it's hard to tell them
from machine stitching and it didn't take many squares before I got there. Good luck with the hand stuff. I love it
because I spend so much time traveling to see my grandbabies in Houston. The first one is titled "from Atlanta
to Houston and back again". The others may have the same title - just #2 and #3 BJ in GA
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos "Dannielle" <dbeitzell@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1159202244.064188.259170@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com... [quote:33447facc4]Ok, so I am working on my hand
stitching. It is really BAD right now, and I thought I would improve my stitching by working on some crazy patch
pieces. That's all fine and good, except I am getting frustrated at the crazy patches not working out right. I really
want to do some paper piecing by hand, but I can't imagine trying to sew through the paper! I have been doing some
reading on the topic. I have seen everything from using lightweight interfacing to hand-drawing on muslin to using
regular paper and folding it back on the line. Do any of you do foundation piecing by hand? Do you have tips and
tricks that you would like to share? Dannielle [/quote:33447facc4]

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View entire thread: Battings: MQ vs HQ recommendations
Posted by Witchy Stitcher on Sun Sep 24, 2006 7:40 PM    Post subject: Re: Battings: MQ vs HQ recommendations

I've done both. The first time I did a handquilted piece, I used a cotton batt and found it very difficult. On a trip to
Lancaster, PA, I saw a Mennonite woman quilting in a shop with a polysester batt and asked her about it. She told me
that a good poly batt is much easier to needle and the stitches stand out better - even on very low loft batts. Tried it
on my next project and she was right. For Machine quilting, I usually use Warm and Natural. I just used Warm Blend for
the last two quilts I did and I really like it. Linda PATCHogue, NY On 24 Sep 2006 05:43:44 -0700, "Tricia"
<cricket527@e-garfield.com> wrote: [quote:2e3958aa9e]Hi all, Without (hopefully) debating the merits of MQ vs
HQ, I'd like to hear batting recommendations from both sides for their respective manner of choice...... If you MQ,
what do you use? If you HQ, what do you use or what have you found that needles well? If you do both at times, which
bats have you found easier for each? I'm primarily interested (at this moment) in a relatively low loft batt for a
table runner but will read with interest any recommendations that may come in handy for other projects with higher loft
batting aspirations...... Thanks, Tricia[/quote:2e3958aa9e]

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View entire thread: updates; binding, work, knee, etc.
Posted by Jessamy on Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:37 PM    Post subject: Re: updates; binding, work, knee, etc.

it sounds like you are almost there knee wise :-) and if you ever hurt it again you are certainly not going to be
stopped my it ;-) WTG on getting work displayed! isn't it FUN?!! you can make it work 0 I managed for ages without the
12 1/2"ruler and still manage without a 6 x 24 "ruler - I have just a cm one - not much help when cutting
strips in inches but I make it work by measuring how much I need with the inch ruler, placing my long one against it
across the fabric (and making sure I didn't move the square in the process) remove the square and then cutting along the
long ruler - it works like a dream! -- Jessamy In The Netherlands Take out: _I love the colour_ to reply.
www.geocities.com/jessamy_thompson http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jessamy_thompson/my_photos
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi all, Work and knee: Was back to work from about mid-week on -- my
knee is feeling better. I did, however, start using my left foot off and on with the sewing machine so if it happens
again I might not have to give up the machine too..... Binding: Thanks to all who helped....I realized with a
combination of Roberta's math help and the book we use at work to help customers figure such things (thank Pat for
reminding me to look for one...turns out we do have one at work) that my FQ wasn't going to be enough to bind ma's
tablerunner (I don't cut perfectly accurate and besides, it shrunk a little in the wash....) So.....after DH went to TC
for car repairs and I had him check the larger TSWLTH there and I checked the smaller one here in town, and couldn't
find more of the fabric in question: I took it to work with me and had DH help me find the closest match we could at
work in color and decided to ignore the "design" that was on ma's chosen fabric. Told her she was SOL about
the exact fabric but I was doing my best to match it. (I may wind up piecing part of the backing and using it in there
so at least she has it used) Etc: All that said and done......I started working on her table runner last night and did
all but the triangles for the top. It felt great to be at *my* machine again (I stress *my* because I was at the
machine at work for a bit this week and .....at least one of my paper piecing blocks will be put on display as a sample
for a kit we are putting together. If I do the other leaf and it looks decent, that one will go up too...I'm so geeked
to have my work on display!) This is the first project in a very long time where I am cutting out pieces to put
together instead of paper piecing (well, I did do Louise's your pick swap that cut and pieced but it was a rail fence,
which is different in my opinion....not many seams/points to match up). I did fairly decent on the 4 patches, even got
one or two of them to actually match like they were supposed to....the others are okay enough. i've got them attached
to the plain squares (after much frog stitching because my dark/light patches weren't laying the direction I wanted
after attached to most the plain squares -- that's fixed now though) and the units are awaiting the triangles on the
ends. I'm trying to get the nerve to cut the triangles out and add them to the units of the top to finish assembling
it.....I don't have a 12.5 in square ruler yet (car repairs used up the $ from my paycheck I was hoping to purchase the
ruler with) so I'd be doing it basically with just a 6 X 24 (approx) ruler and the starting squares need to be 8.5 in.
I'm trying to convince myself that I could make it happen with just that ruler...trying, trying, trying.......(not sure
I'm succeeding though). I'm making some real headway on this now and actually think I might get it done before the
holidays (I've pretty much decided it should be an Xmas gift for her)....the quilting is what may take a bit -- I'll
have Donna (basically my mentor at work) help me at work with the layering, basting/pinning, and binding attachment
aspects to make sure that is done correctly......I'm thinking about trying my hand at HQ this time around, although my
stitches will most likely be lousy (unpracticed, unexperienced, unskilled), I don't want to be restricted as I would be
trying to MQ straight lines on my machines. Besides a nice friend has provided me with what is supposed to be a top of
the line HQ needle and frames so I should really give it a go. That's updates on me =) Hope you all have a wonderfully
quilty week.... Tricia

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View entire thread: updates; binding, work, knee, etc.
Posted by Tricia on Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:40 PM    Post subject: updates; binding, work, knee, etc.

Hi all, Work and knee: Was back to work from about mid-week on -- my knee is feeling better. I did, however, start
using my left foot off and on with the sewing machine so if it happens again I might not have to give up the machine
too..... Binding: Thanks to all who helped....I realized with a combination of Roberta's math help and the book we use
at work to help customers figure such things (thank Pat for reminding me to look for one...turns out we do have one at
work) that my FQ wasn't going to be enough to bind ma's tablerunner (I don't cut perfectly accurate and besides, it
shrunk a little in the wash....) So.....after DH went to TC for car repairs and I had him check the larger TSWLTH there
and I checked the smaller one here in town, and couldn't find more of the fabric in question: I took it to work with me
and had DH help me find the closest match we could at work in color and decided to ignore the "design" that
was on ma's chosen fabric. Told her she was SOL about the exact fabric but I was doing my best to match it. (I may wind
up piecing part of the backing and using it in there so at least she has it used) Etc: All that said and done......I
started working on her table runner last night and did all but the triangles for the top. It felt great to be at *my*
machine again (I stress *my* because I was at the machine at work for a bit this week and .....at least one of my paper
piecing blocks will be put on display as a sample for a kit we are putting together. If I do the other leaf and it
looks decent, that one will go up too...I'm so geeked to have my work on display!) This is the first project in a very
long time where I am cutting out pieces to put together instead of paper piecing (well, I did do Louise's your pick swap
that cut and pieced but it was a rail fence, which is different in my opinion....not many seams/points to match up). I
did fairly decent on the 4 patches, even got one or two of them to actually match like they were supposed to....the
others are okay enough. i've got them attached to the plain squares (after much frog stitching because my dark/light
patches weren't laying the direction I wanted after attached to most the plain squares -- that's fixed now though) and
the units are awaiting the triangles on the ends. I'm trying to get the nerve to cut the triangles out and add them to
the units of the top to finish assembling it.....I don't have a 12.5 in square ruler yet (car repairs used up the $ from
my paycheck I was hoping to purchase the ruler with) so I'd be doing it basically with just a 6 X 24 (approx) ruler and
the starting squares need to be 8.5 in. I'm trying to convince myself that I could make it happen with just that
ruler...trying, trying, trying.......(not sure I'm succeeding though). I'm making some real headway on this now and
actually think I might get it done before the holidays (I've pretty much decided it should be an Xmas gift for
her)....the quilting is what may take a bit -- I'll have Donna (basically my mentor at work) help me at work with the
layering, basting/pinning, and binding attachment aspects to make sure that is done correctly......I'm thinking about
trying my hand at HQ this time around, although my stitches will most likely be lousy (unpracticed, unexperienced,
unskilled), I don't want to be restricted as I would be trying to MQ straight lines on my machines. Besides a nice
friend has provided me with what is supposed to be a top of the line HQ needle and frames so I should really give it a
go. That's updates on me =) Hope you all have a wonderfully quilty week.... Tricia

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View entire thread: Why did I buy this?
Posted by Kathy Applebaum on Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:34 PM    Post subject: Re: who are these people?

"Sunny" <shemphill@genext.net> wrote in message
news:1159125961.221439.237810@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... [quote:eea1049dfc]Kate, That's beautiful. But tell me, how
do these people on eBay make all the "handmade quilts" I see and then sell them for $19, or even $30? That
wouldn't cover the fabric, much less compensate for a tiny bit of the t ime. I found two different "stores"
and just couldn't figure it out. Do they make money? Are they just masochists who make quilts and then basically give
them away? Sunny [/quote:eea1049dfc] I don't know about the eBay ones, but a local department store used to sell
"handmade" quilts for $30. Naturally, I had to check them out. First, the fabric was, well, awful. If you
paid $1 a yard for it, you'd be over paying. Thin, flimsy -- I doubt it would hold up through a single wash. The
batting was poly according to the tag, and very fluffy. More like a comforter than a quilt. The piecing was well done,
but the quilting was (generously) 2 stitches per inch, and quilted about 6" apart. The quilt itself was made in
China, so the person who made it probably was paid less than a dollar to make the whole thing. I noticed the
"hand made" quilts disappeared from the store after a local group got on them about sweat shop clothes --
I've always wondered if there was a connection. -- Kathy A. (Woodland, CA) Queen of Fabric Tramps
mailto:KathyA@KayneyNOSPAMQuilting.com http://fabrictramp.typepad.com/fabric_tramping/ remove the obvious to reply

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View entire thread: OT: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines
Posted by Sunny on Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:44 AM    Post subject: Re: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines

cindy, What Viking do you have? Sunny teleflora wrote: [quote:4d56877929]I gotta tell you, I rarely use the embroidery
unit. I like hand work and I do use the built in decorative stitches sometimes. That said, I bought the "Quilters
Hoop" for my Viking and the software that does beautiful quilting blocks. Haven't used it yet, but this may be the
answer to my inability to machine quilt. Cindy "Sunny" <shemphill@genext.net> wrote in message
news:1158370956.024681.223240@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com... I have serious sewing machine lust. I currently have a
Janome MC 5700. I use the special stitches and piece and quilt on it. So far, I really haven't used the embroidery
function because I could never afford the cards or the converter. So........Now I want a new machine. And I am torn. I
can't afford the top of the line things I want (like the Bernina Arista). But I may be able to find some spare credit
available, with the trade in value of my current machine, to do something else. So the question I am wrestling with:
should I go with a straight stitch machine (think Janome 1600P) for quilting and buy a separate embroidery machine, not
intended to really "sewing". Or...do I buy a Janome 6600 that has a huge number of decorateive stitches (which
I crave) and the extended table and runs faster than my current machine, but gives up all chances of machine embroidery.
Or......LOL. I want to hear from you folks, what do you find most valuable. For piecing, for quilting, for being
creative. I really want one of those felting devices (suspect a lot of the companies are going to be coming up with
attachments in the next year or two). I want to have a much creative flexibility as possible and I'm not sure what that
means. Please enlighten me -- what floats your boat so far as machines that you really use and use and use. Sunny
[/quote:4d56877929]

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View entire thread: OT: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines
Posted by teleflora on Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:29 PM    Post subject: Re: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines

I gotta tell you, I rarely use the embroidery unit. I like hand work and I do use the built in decorative stitches
sometimes. That said, I bought the "Quilters Hoop" for my Viking and the software that does beautiful
quilting blocks. Haven't used it yet, but this may be the answer to my inability to machine quilt. Cindy
"Sunny" <shemphill@genext.net> wrote in message
news:1158370956.024681.223240@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com... [quote:2dbe6300d3]I have serious sewing machine lust. I
currently have a Janome MC 5700. I use the special stitches and piece and quilt on it. So far, I really haven't used the
embroidery function because I could never afford the cards or the converter. So........Now I want a new machine. And I
am torn. I can't afford the top of the line things I want (like the Bernina Arista). But I may be able to find some
spare credit available, with the trade in value of my current machine, to do something else. So the question I am
wrestling with: should I go with a straight stitch machine (think Janome 1600P) for quilting and buy a separate
embroidery machine, not intended to really "sewing". Or...do I buy a Janome 6600 that has a huge number of
decorateive stitches (which I crave) and the extended table and runs faster than my current machine, but gives up all
chances of machine embroidery. Or......LOL. I want to hear from you folks, what do you find most valuable. For piecing,
for quilting, for being creative. I really want one of those felting devices (suspect a lot of the companies are going
to be coming up with attachments in the next year or two). I want to have a much creative flexibility as possible and
I'm not sure what that means. Please enlighten me -- what floats your boat so far as machines that you really use and
use and use. Sunny [/quote:2dbe6300d3]

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View entire thread: OT: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines
Posted by Jessamy on Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:36 AM    Post subject: Re: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines

I agree with the others - there is once consideration though: a programmed embroidery machine needs to be set up and
left to do what it needs to do. in the mean time you only have to be patient and wait. what do you want to do while
waiting? if you want to sew you will need a second machine to do it on. I'd also take the throat into consideration
when buying - a 4 inch throat won't be much use for doing a king sized quilt so the bigger the better really. note:
your Janome is far, far fancier than mine (S419) I almost only use the straight stitch so am happy with that. --
Jessamy In The Netherlands Take out: _I love the colour_ to reply. www.geocities.com/jessamy_thompson
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jessamy_thompson/my_photos ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have
serious sewing machine lust. I currently have a Janome MC 5700. I use the special stitches and piece and quilt on it. So
far, I really haven't used the embroidery function because I could never afford the cards or the converter.
So........Now I want a new machine. And I am torn. I can't afford the top of the line things I want (like the Bernina
Arista). But I may be able to find some spare credit available, with the trade in value of my current machine, to do
something else. So the question I am wrestling with: should I go with a straight stitch machine (think Janome 1600P) for
quilting and buy a separate embroidery machine, not intended to really "sewing". Or...do I buy a Janome 6600
that has a huge number of decorateive stitches (which I crave) and the extended table and runs faster than my current
machine, but gives up all chances of machine embroidery. Or......LOL. I want to hear from you folks, what do you find
most valuable. For piecing, for quilting, for being creative. I really want one of those felting devices (suspect a lot
of the companies are going to be coming up with attachments in the next year or two). I want to have a much creative
flexibility as possible and I'm not sure what that means. Please enlighten me -- what floats your boat so far as
machines that you really use and use and use. Sunny

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View entire thread: OT: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines
Posted by polly esther on Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:30 AM    Post subject: Re: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines

I absolutely agree with everything Cheryl said. Let me suggest this. Why don't you go play? Maybe you'll find that
the 'embroider' only machines are such fun that you'll simply want one of them. I don't know diddly about them but
believe the Babylock guys have one that is heaps cheaper than a SM that does embroidery and the other sewing needs.
If you go with either an embroidery machine or a SM that has the embroidery abilities, you'll still have to consider
the costs of special threads and stabilizers (nothing to sneeze at). And just how many tee-shirts and baseball caps
with Mickey Mouse motifs do you want to make? Translation - you'll want to think what in the heck you'd do with one if
you had it. Could be something you'll just have a field day with and could be something you'll put in the china
cabinet and dust twice a year. YMMV. Maybe you would enjoy a 'non-programmed embroider machine'. Viking, Bernina
and Pfaff (among others) can do more beautiful and fun stitches than you'll ever have time for and the older ones,
sometimes a 'best buy' are not terribly costly. But - I'm with Cheryl. If they ever invent a machine that has room
for an extra elbow length for big areas of quilting, I'll join you in SM lust. While you're just looking is a good
time to compare what your options are. So much better than when you have a SM that's dead in the water and you're
desperate. Report back. Polly

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View entire thread: OT: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines
Posted by Don/Gen on Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:25 AM    Post subject: Re: sort of....I want to hear about sewing machines

You might want to check out used m