How to Fight Quilting Enemies: Gravity and Friction

June 10, 2021
My Sewing Room, Lori Kennedy

Today’s Topic:  How to Fight Quilting Enemies: Gravity and Friction

Welcome to Lesson  9 of our 2021 Quilt-a-Long,  Even Better Machine Quilting

This FREE multi-week tutorial is based on my books available in my Etsy shop:  LoriKennedyShop

Sign up for emails of the class HERE.

Join the private Quilting with LKQ Facebook Group HERE

Find the 2021 QAL links HERE

Find the 2020 (25 Week) QAL links HERE

Good Morning, Quilters!

Please JOIN ME for a FREE quilting lesson!

First LIVE event in more than a year!

As a follow up to the  virtual MN Quilt Show, I will be demonstrating quilting techniques in person.

If you’ve ever wanted to try the fabulous BERNINA Q20-or any BERNINA sewing or quilting machine– this is a great opportunity! Fabulous Quilt Show pricing will be available!

Also, if YOU have any quilting questions or techniques you would like to see, I will be available all day…

Most of all, I would LOVE to meet YOU!!!

FREE Open House 

Quilter’s Haven 

2930 146th Street-Suite 108
Rosemount, MN  55068

Rosemount, MN 

Tuesday,  June 15, 2021 from 10-4

Can’t wait to teach IN PERSON again!

 

On Discouragement and FMQ

Thank you for all the helpful and encouraging comments on yesterday’s post:  Are YOU Discouraged with Free Motion Quilting?

If YOU are feeling like your progress is slower than you hoped, read all of the comments and stay the course.  The skill will come–if you have the necessary knowledge.  Everything you need to know is right here at LKQ and in my books-especially 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.

Today, let’s spend a little time creating a work space to help create a smooth glide.

Quilters Arch Enemies

Quilters have two arch enemies (okay three-Responsibilities other than quilting  is enemy #1)….

But when we ARE quilting, we have two foes-Gravity and Friction.

While we are trying to move the quilt in a smooth, gliding motion, Gravity is trying to pull the quilt to the ground and Friction is trying to keep us from moving it at all!

Fighting Gravity

Read How to Create a Smooth Glide for specific ideas on how to fight gravity and friction.

In general, there are two key ways to fight gravity:

  • Create the largest possible work surface to support your quilt.
  • Block the quilt from falling off the surface while you quilt.

Supreme Slider taped in place

Fighting Friction

See How to Create a Smooth Glide

There are a few things you can do to minimize the effects of friction between your quilt and the sewing surface:

  • Reduce friction on the sewing surface by adding a Supreme Slider or a silicone spray.
  • Reduce friction on your backing fabric by avoiding texturized fabrics.
  • Make your backing fabric more slippery by using spray starch.
  • My sewing room before remodel-lots of quilt support!
For a Smoother Quilt Glide, Try This:

Evaluate your work space.

Are you able to place your sewing machine in the corner to prevent quilt from falling off.

Would a Sew Steady Table give you more working space?

Is your birthday coming up? Wouldn’t a set-in sewing cabinet be a great gift?

Is there room to set your ironing board nearby for more quilt support?

Try a Supreme Slider (one of the few quilting notions I highly recommend.)

Prep your sewing surface with silicone spray.

Spray starch and iron your backing fabric before basting.

Is YOUR Quilting Smooth?

What about YOU?

What techniques have made quilting easier for YOU?

Do YOU use a Supreme Slider or silicone spray?

Are YOU available on June 15th to come to Rosemount, MN?

Are YOU excited to be able to attend in-person classes again?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Excited in Minnesota,

Lori

 

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ.  For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com.  Thank you!

Visit my Etsy shop: LoriKennedyShop for all of my books!  They are ALL bestsellers!

 

 

 

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