Good Morning, Quilters!
Today’s machine quilting quick tip is in response to something I occasionally observe while teaching workshops. (My workshop schedule is very limited, but I am considering all warm climate opportunities in Jan, Feb, March 2019 LOL!)
While you are machine quilting, never rotate the entire quilt like it is a steering wheel!
Sometimes, quilters try to turn the entire quilt–as if the needle is a central axis and the quilt a steering wheel. This seems to be most common when quilters are trying to create circular motifs like the spirals in Olivia the Owl…(page 97 of More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3)
In the photo below, notice the white X. The X should always remain above the needle while you are stitching. It can move to the left or to the right. It is okay if it comes toward the needle or away from the needle, but it should never be rotated to the right or left side.
Another way to see this…observe Olivia the Owl. The Owl should not be rotated on her side while stitching.
FOLLOW ALONG
Try this with a piece of paper right now.
Add an “x” to the paper. Hold your hands on the paper like you are quilting. Don’t let your hands move from that spot on the paper.
Move the paper quilt on your desk up and down, left and right and at an angle. Now try to rotate or spin the paper like it is a steering wheel. What happens?
Your hands will cross or lift off the page.
WHY NOT SPIN???
When you spin the quilt, the needle stays in the same place. You are not creating your spiral. To compensate, beginner quilters, move their hands in awkward positions. That doesn’t always seem obvious while stitching.
REMEMBER….up, down, left, right, at any angle….but no spinning!
This is a quick and easy fix!
What about YOU?
Do YOU teach machine quilting?
Do YOU notice any common mistakes?
Are YOU a beginner with a question?
Please share!
We’d LOVE to hear!
Your Spin Free Friend,
Lori-iroL-Lori
PS…For more Halloween and Fall-inspired motifs, as well as tons of quilting tips and tricks—be sure to check out MORE Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3...and get a free “trick or treat” with every purchase!!!
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.
Thanks!
