Today’s Topic: Stitch Regulators, Quilting Gloves and other FAQs from Week One
Good Morning, Quilters!
It’s certainly been a busy week and I’m inspired by the enthusiastic response to our quilt-a-long, 25 Weeks to Better Machine Quilting based on my new book, 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting!
Should I Use a Stitch Regulator?
A little more than 10 years ago, BERNINA developed an attachable stitch regulator for domestic sewing machines. The BSR (BERNINA Stitch Regulator) senses the movement of the quilt and controls the stitch timing to maintain a pre-set stitch length. Since then, several other machine companies have created stitch regulators for their domestic sewing machine lines.
I have mixed emotions about stitch regulators. Because BSRs were not available when I started quilting, I practiced and developed my own sense of timing to control stitch length. My internal timing became second nature to me. (And will be to you, too by the end of this QAL) Later, when I tried the BSR, I found it difficult to use. It interfered with my own timing and was constantly beeping at me. (The BSR beeps when you stitch too fast.) In some ways it was like trying to ride a bike with training wheels attached. Once you ride a two-wheeler, you never go back!
Stitch regulators are great for quilters who quilt infrequently and haven’t developed their own timing.
If you have one, give it a try! But also try quilting without it, you might find it holds you back or throws off your internal timing. (NOTE-if you don’t have a quilting foot, unplug the BSR and use it as your quilting foot.)
Another thing to note, you can not use an attached stitch regulator for ruler work. If you plan to learn ruler work, you must develop your own timing.
In my 2-Day and 5-Day workshops, I strongly suggest quilters turn off or not use stitch regulators. After a few hours of practice, almost all of the students are very happy with the freedom of quilting without it.
Built-In Stitch Regulators
Most long arm and mid-arm quilting machines (I have a BERNINA Q20), have built-in stitch regulators. In my experience, built-in stitch regulators work better than the attachable versions. Built-in regulators stitch faster and don’t alarm (beep! beep!) if you stitch too quickly, like the attached type do.
I often use the regulator on my BERNINA Q20…but not always. Often, I still prefer to quilt “free” and with less noise. The motor for the stitch regulator is somewhat louder than the steady hum of my unregulated stitching…
Should I Wear Quilting Gloves?
Many of you have noticed that I don’t wear quilting gloves when I quilt. When I started quilting, I always wore gloves like Machingers.
But I never liked the feel of them. Besides, every time I put them on it seemed I would get an itch. Off again, on again, off again, on again. They drove me crazy. One day, I started quilting and realized I wasn’t wearing gloves…That was the end of gloves for me.
Sometimes, I do use a gripping aid. We will discuss a variety of options in a future lesson.
For now, if you have gloves, use them, but try quilting without one or both of them- you might be surprised!
Can I Do This on My Long Arm?
Emphatically, YES! Almost all of the lessons in the quilt-a-long and my book, 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting, apply to all types of machine quilting: domestic FMQ, mid-arm and long arm quilting. Almost all of the chapters like: perfecting your stitch, doodling, thread, quilt design, as well as all of the projects can be completed on any sewing or quilting machine.
From treadle to long arm quilting machine and everything in between, you will be a better quilter in 25 weeks-promise!!!
Felt Instead of Quick Quilt Sandwiches?
A few quilters have said they plan to use felt in place of quick quilt sandwiches. Again, something I have mixed emotions about. I certainly understand the desire to be economical with our resources. However, as you quilt with quilt sandwiches, you will learn more than just the motifs. You learn about how the quilt feels, how your sewing machine feels and sounds and how tension and thread look on a quilt. A great deal of information is consciously and subconsciously learned by working on the materials you will use in the final product–your quilts. Furthermore, the little practice quilts can easily be turned into pin cushions, computer cases, book covers and so much more.
If you decide to use felt for practice, spend a least some time each week on a quick quilt sandwich.
I Can’t Doodle!?
YES YOU CAN!
Everyone can doodle. When you say you can’t doodle, are you really saying “I don’t like how my doodles look?”
If so, just know I hate most of my doodles. I only show you the ones I like… But all of them are necessary! The good and the bad doodles help your brain develop muscle memory, an eye for spacing and more.
We will spend an entire week dedicated to doodling. Until then (week 4), here are two tips:
Change your pen. Try a variety of colors and types. This often turns a drab doodle into a mini-work of art.
Cut out the doodles you like and throw the rest away! Save the “good” doodles in a box or glue them into a notebook.
What About YOU?
Do you prefer to stitch free or with a regulator? Have you tried both?
Gloves or no gloves?
Have you marked your sewing machine manual?
Do you have a drawer or box dedicated to machine quilting supplies?
How many quick quilt sandwiches have YOU made?
How many sheets of paper have you filled with doodles?
Are YOU ready to quilt?
Your Joyful Quilter,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts 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. Thanks!
65 comments
kay Larson
I am coming late to this game but I will continue on. Thank you for doing this class during our confinement, I have started a couple times with good intention but the practice off. I think it is the work practice (I avoided practicing my flute when I was young)
I too, do not like gloves. I sometimes use small pieces of gripper sheets to keep rugs from slipping. I also some rubber tips like they sell at office supply for counting pages. I only use two on each hand.
Most of the time I do not use the stitch regulator. There have been times when I found it helpful.
Ann
For those who feel doodle impaired, I found this tip very helpful. Find some doodles you can print out on paper. Slip paper into clear plastic sheet protector. With a dry erase marker, you can trace over the doodles. When done, wipe off the doodles of dry erase marker made on sheet protector with a piece of batting and start over. Saves on paper too
Wendy Wagner
I’ve been thinking about the gloves or no gloves conversation. Like many people I have arthritis. In fact, it’s erosive osteoarthritis and everything makes it hurt. Using the Machingers gloves didn’t work for me because it requires pressure from the fingertips to grip the quilt top which I found very painful. Using no gloves also was painful since I bearing down on the quilt was again too painful. I discovered that Wonder Grip Almost Naked gloves work for those of us who like being able to grip the fabric. The whole hand is able to be placed on the quilt and with very little pressure gives a firm grip without putting any pressure or pain on the hand.
Wendy Wagner
Correction: Wonder Grip Nearly Naked gloves.
Linda Morgan
Hi. I was surprised at my doodle pages…they actually looked pretty good and I don’t have any drawing skills. Lori, I was so glad to read your comments about the stitch regulator. I have a Bernina 880 with stitch regulator/3 feet and find that I stitch better without it. I’m with you!! I tried several types of gloves and think the Machingers are the best for me…and they wash beautifully. I always have about 10 quilt sandwiches ready so I can practice FMQ anytime with only setting up machine to get ready. For this project I cut all the backing, batting at the same time, pressed the backing and fat quarters. They are stacked up ready to go for each week.
Keep up the great work….each day I learn many new things that I need to know and will be using!!😃😃
Arvilla Trag
I use quilting gloves because my hands dry out so quickly without them that I cannot move the quilt (arthritis ain’t helping, either). But I cut off the first inch of the right index finger and thumb so I don’t have to take them off to handle thread or change bobbins. I use the purple ones (can’t remember the manufacturer), and they don’t make me itch at all; normally any synthetic substance in contact with my skin makes me itch.
I have sacrificed many a fat quarter to the practice sandwich gods, and I use them to make sure my tension is right for the thread I will be quilting with. Were it not for practice sandwiches I never would have mastered feathers or any number of other things.I like to test thread color against background color that way, too.
Odd and interesting – when I write in free-motion, my handwriting is incredibly better than when I use paper and pen. Go figure.
Kathryn
I like gloves when I quilt and have used a BSR on my Bernina but decided to take up your challenge to try it without. I did think I wouldn’t be able to do it. It is a different experience but not unpleasant and I will definitely keep practising that way although a little slow to do it on the quilt I am doing at present. I am about to get a Q20 so that will be totally new experience again.
Karen Moore
I use a 2X5 inch kitchen sponge, cut in half. They allowsme to cup my palms and gently curl my fingers – a very ergonomically efficient posture for my senior hands. ( I am a retired physical therapist.)
Linda Morgan
Hi Karen, smart! I love your tip and will try it. Thank you, Linda
Debbie MD
I use gloves when I quilt. I find it helps keep tension from building in my neck and shoulders. Didnt know stitch regulators where an option for domestic machines! My machine did not come with a single hole throat plate. Is that an optional but for a Janome MC6600P?
Mary Green
I doodle on a white dry-erase board but probably should switch over to paper so I can keep some of my special creations! But the board is great for practicing muscle memory once I have something I want to repeat.
My FMQing suppliies are on a shelf next to my sewing machine. And I have six more quilt sandwiches in the ready for future lessons. Will make another half dozen when I need them. I need to buy some cotton batting in the meantime.
I do have a large roll of bamboo batting which I have been using for the past three years and not yet depleted. Maybe I should be practicing with that since it is my go-to batt. How do you like the bamboo, Lori? or anyone else?
I’ve not tried a stitch regulator and want to develop my own timing like you suggest is possible. I’ve meander quilted more quilts than I can count so have a pretty good one already. Just need to work on memory muscle for more intricate designs like yours, Lori.
I’ve been on/off using gloves, maybe more with bigger quilts. And I just can’t get the feel for that horseshoe with the grippers tho I do try it now and then.
Thanks so much for the great tutorials and advice. You’re the best! God bless…
Genny
I have a longarm — I cannot hear the beeping… so thread breaks before I realize that there’s a problem. HOW do you adjust it so you can quilt easily without thread breaking?
Thanks
Nina
Another comment/question, if I may. ….
For those of you who use a stitch regulator, do you notice that your stitching is very small, almost as it you adjusted the stitch length to be as short as possible.
Also, is it helpful to manually adjust to a longer stitch length while using the stitch regulator?
Lori, would you come across these problems?
Thank you
Kathryn
I have a Bernina Nina and I use a BSR on it. I adjust speed and stitch length. Rightly or wrongly but it does work.
Nina
ThU Kathryn for your suggestion. I have a Bernina 770 and i like using the BSR but I would like the stitch length to be a little longer.
I do adjust my speed to “half”, but I will try a change of stitch length as you suggested.
Kathryn
Hope it works, I have found it really helpful.
Nina
Just offering this idea …..You can begin doodling the way little kindergarteners do it. They have letters cut out of sandpaper and trace the letter. To start doodling, use a piece od sandpaper as your “paper” and your index finger as your “pen”. [I had to teach my grandson during the quarantine this April and May]
i bet this would be very helpful as it increases sensory perception. Then go to paper and pencil.
Madonna
I’m overwhelmed. Can’t keep up. Never quilted before. Never doodled before. I do machine embroidery on my 780 Bernina. This is all new to me. Prepared sandwiches, have BSR, have slider, quilt needles etc. just can’t get beyond to doodle. Have a notebook dedicated to the 25 weeks. Love your videos ..find them very helpful. Must convince myself to doodle. Hate the idea. Always thought of it as a waste of time..now its good for me!
Michele R
I’m not good at doodling, but after switching from a mechanical pencil to a Precise V5 extra fine pen my flowers now look like flowers! I did an entire page with ease where before I struggled. It was a game changer! The BSR was another game changer for me. I now own a Q20 and always use the BSR mode. I use Machingers for lap size and larger quilts because they help, but I don’t like how they feel. I never thought of cutting off one or two fingers, which I think I’ll do after reading the above comments. Finger cots and halos didn’t work for me, but pads/paddles seem to have rave reviews. My suggestion is keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to experiment to see what works best for you! Thank you, Lori, for your encouragement and opening this up for the quilting community!
Norma Snow
I have six quilt sandwiches ready. All my tools are ready in a drawer next to my machine. I used to use gloves, but now I use 2 dense pieces of foam from Paula Reid to grip the quilt. I am really looking forward to all of your lessons. Thank you for this series.
Meg Harmon
I use machingers . If I don’t I find my hands cramp and my shoulders tense. I started free motion only with meander and stopping but have since moved on to multiple other designs. I have never doodled. Shame on me I guess. When I want to try a new quilt design, I practice on a quilt sandwich made from material given to me that I am not fond of. I can draw some and my friends say my designs are great (but I guess they would anyway since they all send their quilts to be quilted). I quit on a DSM with no stitch regulator. I would love to have a sit down quilting machine but it is not in the cards. Hoeever, the machine I use has a little more than 11″ of space beside the needle and I am pretty happy. My local quilt shop offered me a great price and I think it will be what I work with for awhile. I bought your book because I admire your work so much and have started reading it. Thank you for this. I have been reading your posts but not sure if you are love with any of this.
Betsy
I’m almost ready to attempt my doodles on the machine…..is it best to start in the middle of a piece, at the edge…in a corner…..?
Suzanne
I don’t know what Lori would say Betsy, but I like to start from the center and work out in quadrants. That way I’m less likely to end up somewhere in the middle of my quilt with a pucker or a fold. Granted, good basting regardless of whether it’s spray, or stitching or pins, helps prevent this. I like a combo of a light spraying and stitch basting but I still work in quadrants because ending up with a “bubble” somewhere drives me crazy! (often a very short trip……😁)
Betsy Zeigler
Hay is in the barn so I’m finally on board with the lessons. Doodled my heart out today on my back porch!! Even talked a friend into joining as my quilt buddy!! Tomorrow making my sandwiches. As per gloves – I love using them – seems to help gliding the material over the feed dogs. Also using a glide sheet on my machine.
Betsy from Northwest PA
Susie
When does the open-line discussion happen? Is it just this chat discussion forum or an actual-at-a-certain-time chat? Not clear on this, thanks.
Cyndy Ponczek
I set up a drawer with my quilting supplies a while ago. I started out not using gloves but prefer them. I’ll also use the hoop type too, depending on what I’m doing. Not crazy about doodling but do do it because I know it helps! I can barely draw stick figures! I prefer to trace the image with my finger before I even attempt paper and pencil! I’ve made up a bunch of quilt sandwiches, don’t own a stitch regulator and sounds like that could be a good thing! I have tried long arms that do have the regulator and love how even the stitches are. I’m so looking forward to improving my fmq! Thanks so much Lori for doing this qal!
Karen
Lori, I just love your tutorials for fmq! I do use the bsr but do not like the beeping and sometimes i still get a long stitch. I’m going to try quilting without it at my next practice session! I sometimes use gloves–sometimes not. I do not love doodling but I am just learning so I have to practice on paper.
Cynthia Holten
Unfortunately, in the 1980’s I traded my Bernina 830 for the then top of the line Pfaff 7570. But I will be quilting on my HandiQuilter Sweet 16 sit down machine and I will be the stitch regulator. I did manage to keep the Bernina quilting tool (as pictured by Lori above) and loved the control I had moving the quilt within that ring…until I’d worn out the gripping material on the bottom. So I now use a Martelli quilting ring. Love it. I use machingers, will be using Glide or Aurfil thread or just about any thread works on my HQS16.
I, like some of you, feel I do not have any drawing talent, but I fully understand the benefit of it. I use different media to practice designs on: an 18″ square of Plexiglas, paper, sheet protectors, or quilter’s viewing plastic (can’t remember the correct name of this roll of clear plastic).
All my tools, snippers, tweezers, stiletto, small screwdriver, crochet hook, etc., are in a small tool holder at the top of my HQS16.
Life got in the way so right now I’m a little behind but I’m will be diligent about catching up.
I wish us all great success in our quilting journey.
Good grief, I’ve just written a “novel”.
Suzanne
About gloves; the same thing happened to me Lori. One day I realized I had been quilting without them. They’re still hanging next to my machine – the same place they’ve been now for months and months.
Someone else mentioned she didn’t like doodling. I’m a bit like that too I guess because I prefer taking “leftovers” cut off when squaring a quilt, as well as inexpensive muslin scraps layered with leftover batting and scraps to use for practice. Some are good and some are terrible, but they can be sewn up into potholders, coasters and counter mats to let the dishes dry on – they work great and I just toss them in the washing machine after use. I’ve even sewn up bits to make a mat for under the dog’s dishes – great for keeping his mess off the floor! I never have seem to have enough these sort of things, plus it feels good to be thrifty.
One in a while I’ve drooled over a stitch regulator to work with my large Brother quilting machine, but always back away for two reasons: 1) it’s ridiculously expensive (around $500!) and 2) when I began reading how it works, I realized it’s “clunky” – an adjective from my long-ago days in the computer tech world. It referred to hardware or software that was awkward to use and the process wasn’t exactly logical. Maybe eventually, they’ll come up with something less expensive and user-friendly. We’ll see.
Mary
I have been having so much fun. I just retired so I am making a commitment to myself to learn this! Thank you.
Barbara Keefer
I have really enjoyed this first week of 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting. I haven’t started stitching any of my doodles yet but have been doodling a lot! Actually, I’ve been doing FM since around 1980 but know I will never know enough or everything. The BSR and Machingers weren’t available when I first started FM, and I get along just fine without them. I’ve tried both and find I do a lot better on my own. But we’re all different and I respect everyone’s opinion and FM journey. Thank you again, Lori, for all the inspiration and information.
Betsy
Have you considered providing PDF pics of the doodles for us “doodle challenged “ folks? We learn the design by finger tracing to learn the motion and then practice with pen and paper, then with quilt sandwich…
Pam P
Lori has several books that provide step by step pictures of hundreds of her designs. They are definitely worth the cost!
Cyndy Ponczek
I finger trace too before I go to paper and pencil! It really helps!
Jackie Belton
Thank you for doing your quilt along
Pamela
I’ve quilted for many years without a stitch regulator and have figured out my rhythm on the domestic machine. I also have a Q20 and almost always use the stitch regulator there. It does make my quilting look better 🙂 As for gloves – I have several different styles, different price ranges, etc. I quilted many years without them, but always use them now. I have arthritis in my hands and they really help me to have control moving the quilt under the needle, and reduce pain in my hands and muscle fatigue. I fixed up twelve quick quilt sandwiches yesterday and they are ready to go. I’ve recently been using my practice/warm-up pieces to make quick little zip bags and other small quilty treats. For this quilt along I’ve picked colors I like out of some fat-quarter bundles I’ve had for a while and plan to try out some ByAnnie bag patterns with the quilted sandwiches. This way it mentally doesn’t feel like I’m ‘wasting’ good fabric… As for doodling – that is my weak spot. I almost have to force myself to sit down and do it. It is on my to do list for today.
Christy
What is the white “hoop” type thing in the picture?
Cyndy Ponczek
I believe it’s a tool that helps hold the fabric instead of using gloves. There are grippers on the bottom
Terri
I don’t like to doodle either…but it’s the best way for me to learn the motif. After doodling, I’ve been practicing on my quilt sandwich, and I love the way flower power looks. I moved on to forget me nots. After I got the hang of that, I added little curls to the stem to help fill the space between the flowers. I made one mistake where I tried to add a small bug to a leaf but I didn’t have a clear vision of how I wanted it to look. looking for my seam ripper now!
Cindy Clark
I do use my BSR, but I will try as you suggest to unplug it and use the open-toe foot on the BSR,
Lynn
I use Gorilla Grip gloves from the hardware store. Cheap, light weight, and breathable back side. I cut off the tip of the right index finger so I can feel the seam for stitching in the ditch. Much more control than bare hands!
Deborah Bulissa
I disagree with both. I love, love, love my stitch regulator. It was a game changer for me after going without for many years. And I can’t free motion at all without gloves. It grips the fabric just enough to slide it along with ease.
Pat
I also have a hard time with doodles. Maybe because I use to draw in my notebooks in school and got in trouble for it. But I have been doing your flowers and that is not too bad. Now if I can just put what I learn on paper to fabric, I will be happy!
Karen S
Love your blog posts! I always learn something. Your quilting designs are wonderfully unique. I have a repurposed zipper bag from sheets I bought that I use for my Supreme Slider, quilting gloves, and quilting thread. For small pieces I don’t use gloves but I found I had more control that way with larger pieces. Recently I purchased a quilt suspension system that’s really great for keeping the quilt from dragging. I’m going to try without gloves because I might not need them. I have never owned nor used a BSR. I found my rhythm and know I’d have a learning curve if I started using one. As for quilt sandwiches–I keep reusing them and put different colors of thread over them. I have a handful I keep reusing. And I love doodling. I used to do it in meetings when I was bored (and still do with Zoom calls) and I even doodle with my fingers in the air to try out shapes.
Amy
I traded in my 180 for a 630 in 2005. The 630 was one of the first Berninas that used the BSR. I loved it. Until then, my quilting was done with a walking foot. I had tried FMQ, could never develop a rhythm, and hated the process. The BSR changed that for me. Even though I now have a longarm, I still occasionally quilt small projects on my 780 with the BSR. I also use quilting gloves if I’m using my 780. I’ve discovered that without them, my hands cramp too easily. But I’m a firm believer that there is no such thing as the quilt police. What works for me might not work for someone else and that’s okay.
Julie Hale
Thank you for these lessons. I love your flower designs. I must use Grabaroo gloves and a Martelli Quilt Hoop. My hands have arthralgia and I can’t grip and move the fabric without aids. However, once I’m set up I can cruise along without muscle fatigue. Keep up the good work, Lori! 🙂
Maryln Nelson
At the time I purchased a Bernina with a stitch regulator, I have been FMQ for several years (although I was not great at FMQ). The stitch regulator was a nightmare for me. Having paid $1,000.00 for it, I was determined to make the damn thing work. I finally did and now almost never quilt without it. However, if I was a fair FMQ I would never go out and purchase one now. If you get in a lot of practice and learn your rhythm, you really don’t need one.
LAURIE B
I’ve never used or had a stitch regulator. It took me many years to get my rhythm. Once it “clicked” it was great. It’s not perfect, but it’s good. I practice on charity quilts.
Gloves – when I started I didn’t have any and a friend suggested them. I can’t quilt without them. I will try again to not use them. I bought a pair of gloves a few years ago, but only recently opened them. Low and behold they were missing the index and middle fingers. I love it! I don’t have to take them off to pull up the bobbin thread or other things.
Connie Boulay
My sewing time this week has been finishing up a quilt top, currently sewing the blocks together (yeah). I do have a BSR which I have been using for the last 10ish years, maybe 9, I didn’t get it right away. But, I am trying to learn ruler work, and need to take off the training wheels. I do doodle designs before I try to sew them, but haven’t really made up my own yet. I found some old men’s shirts I was going to ‘de-bone’ and am thinking of using some of them for quilt sandwiches, at least the backing part. I do like gloves, I have lost a lot of feeling in my thumbs due to injuries, and the gloves give me the mental feeling I don’t need to press so hard, which helps with muscle fatigue, I wear gloves when I drive long distances for the same reason.
Gail Knighten
I use cheap cotton garden gloves with the gripping dots. I then cut the index and thumb off on each hand. The gripping dots on the palm and last three fingers are plenty for gripping the quilt and the index finger and thumb sticking out lets you pick up thread and scratch that itch.
Cynthia Holten
Fabulous lessons! Thanks so much for putting this program together. I’d like to ask if you would be willing to add to your menu, possibly under Projects or Machine Quilting, the current 25 Day to Better FMQ program, and have all the lessons numbered (e.g: Lesson 1, Lesson 2….this week we are in Lesson 1) and within each Lesson would be all the instructions. Thanks again for all the work you have done on this program and made it available to so many.
Pamela
This would be so helpful! I’ve been saving each lesson to my desktop, then putting in a file… trying to keep it all contained in one place to refer back to.
Cynthia Holten
Pamela, I found the lessons! Look under Machine Quilting then click Misc.
Janette
Have a stitch regulator on my B750QE. Did try it but it made me crazy with the peeping! I prefer to stitch freely. My book is on its way, only have a few quilt sandwiches ready, once material arrives l will make more. Have been doodling for a while, have been following you for about five years. Doodling does really help! You have taught me a lot, always room for improvement. Thank you!
Deborah Todd
I make quilt sandwiches out of inexpensive muslin to work on my doodles. Once I feel confident with the pattern, I move on to my “pretty” quilt sandwich made of solid color quality quilt fabric. Only then do I move on to a table topper or panel. My stitches and hand movements aren’t as good as I would like, but are getting better with each try. I also use up odds and ends of thread and bobbins, and join odd pieces of batting under the muslin sandwiches. And I love my quilting gloves, they give me a better sense of control.
Robin Mikjaniec St Thomas Ontario Canada
I don’t use a stitch regulator !!I have s sit down sweet 16 and just as you say practice makes it so much easier to do with out a stitch regulator, I do use gloves but I’m going to try with out!!! Thanks for the tip of using the practise quilt sandwiches for things other than a dog bed LOL !!
Mary Carol
For those who are frugal, and don’t want to waste fabric on a practice quilt sandwich, use some leftover orphan blocks with a solid backing, and make potholders.
Barb
Someone gave me this idea a couple of
years ago. Go to a thrift shop and buy sheets. You can usually find some pretty cheap. Cut them into pieces for practicing on. Save your fabric for when you get a little better. (I have to admit that I did buy some sheets at the time………but donated them back because it seemed a waste to cut them up 🙂 Ha
Linda B
And don’t forget about using your own slightly worn sheets! My fitted sheets always go out first, and I just cut out the worn areas and use them. Usually I use the top sheets as a stand-in for muslins, and have used them for backing a quilt. I even made all my masks from sheet material.
Jo
I too have bought sheets to use. I found that they appeared to wrinkle when I spray basted them but I have quilted one all over with two rose motifs and it was fine.. Spent $2 which yielded a good dozen fat quarter sized pieces.
Lynn
Haha! I’ve been making pot holders like mad lately! Strip piecing blocks with scraps and using orphan blocks for backs. Great idea for using sample sandwiches!
Kathy Clark
I hated my doodles for this class! I have never been able to draw so I figured that was the reason. However, I looked up a mouse pattern on your website and have been doodling it for a week and it looks pretty good!(puss-in-the-corner quilt) duhhh! Obviously, if I practice the other designs, they’ll look better too!
Lauri
I debated between a digital dual feed foot and a stitch regulator and after reading your post today I feel better about my choice (dual feed foot). I haven’t developed an internal regulator yet, but have learned that when I go FAST my stitches are tiny and when I go real s-l-o-w my stitches are huge.
And… I love my machingers.
Esperansa Loughran
Thank you Lori, I have just joined your group, and I love FMQ, I have a 790 Plus, but I FM with my artista 170, and i will soon be posting my designs –or doodling on face book. Also, I agree with the timing issue, you are 100% right, along with that I also learned tension and how to adjust it. Yesterday, I got on my 790 and learned that the tension of the decorative stitching is done for you. I am going to check out the FM without the stitch regulator bec/i dont believe it helps. I also have talked to many quilters and they stay away from FM because they dont stick to it. Yesterday, I was on We all Sew for Bernina, and the teachers spent endless hrs talking about thread, timing, tension. My 170 taught me all I need to know in a few months if not weeks.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I’m so glad you are here! Quilting is so much fun–if you give it a chance!
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