Discouraged...

Urgh... Bernie and I are NOT getting along tonight. Actually it's not Bernie, it's me. I'm trying and it HARD to quilt on a sewing machine, Quilters Edition or not. Going to go pout. :(

Comments

[Becky in KCMO]

You might want to try a walking foot. It does really help if you are doing straight guided quilting. You might also try putting it in a table, or raising the table up to the level of the sewing surface with insulation foam. It really helps your shoulders in the long run. I took a jigsaw to a desk top to make my first table. Good luck!

[Rochelle]

Sorry you've reached a frustrating part in your journey, but hang in there girl!

[Elaine]

Hi Tracee, loving following your progress on here, as Becky says, a walking foot is good, stops the fabric from puckering up on the back. I finally treated myself to a fold up sewing table made by Horn - what a fabulous difference that made - a built in extension made for your own machine,(suppose you can buy them worldwide- not certain), and adjustable height made it all so comfortable -just what you need for a marathon quilting session. Great seeing Anaheim in his usual place. He's just what I need to make my own sewing area perfect - send him over....
Love, Elaine

[Elaine]

Forgot to mention - I spray baste some of my quilts (those I'm not putting on my Grace hand quilting frame) and find it's so much easier than pins - much faster too.

[Linda]

Hello
As someone has already said you really need a walking foot. If you don't have one may I suggest you pop your Zig Zag foot on and use that wavy stitch that looks like a snake. It has about 3/4 little stitches one way and then the other. Probably about 3 or 4 on your stitch selection. This will really help to get the quilt through and looks totally ok on a modern quilt.

Cheers

Linda

[Marianne]

Sorry to hear of your problems. If you don't have a walking foot then lower your foot pressure. I like to use foot #34 on my Bernina. It also looks to me like you haven't pinned close enough when you basted. I know it is a pan to baste but really pays off when it comes to quilting. it's not always enough to pin like it says on the batting packet.
I put on the extension table and built up the surrounding area with books. When I have a nice big surface around the machine I wrap the stacks of book in baking parchment (the silicone coated kind) so the quilt will slide nicely across it. This is a solution when you haven't a table to set the machine down into. I haven't. I also like stitch #4 like Linda suggests for long lines of quilting but if you want to outline the squares then straight stitch is easier to use although you are in for a lot of hard work turning the quilt if that is your choice.
Don't give up; there's always ways and means of getting a job done. Marianne

[Charlene S]

Some days are harder than others. I am enjoying following your project! I told my husband about it and he is impressed with your progress, too. Keep your head up! I am sure tomorrow will be better. =)