Finding the right machine to quilt on can be a challenge. The options vary from a domestic sewing machine to a very expensive Gammil long arm machine. Today's Front Porch chat is about just that, hopefully it will provide some insight for your decision!
Several years ago I took a class on how to free motion quilt on your domestic sewing machine- most frustrating class I've ever taken! I could not get the motion down. But I did learn some basic techniques that have helped me along the way. I practiced and practiced until I could manage a small quilt, quilted "in the ditch." Which was great because I had been hand quilting up until then, and that takes so much time!
One of the main problems I was running into was not enough harp space on my bigger projects. I had been researching machines and finally settled on my Juki, which I bought online through SewingMachinesPlus (a great company!). I convinced my husband that this was the LAST machine I would EVER need (I owned 5 machines at the time!). The bigger harp space was really nice but I still didn't manage the motion very well. Someone had explained it as "drawing with your pencil in place while moving your paper under it." Some people are great at that, (like Lori Kennidy at The Inbox Jaunt), I am not!. I love Lori's blog and use many of her patterns on my long arm.
Thus began my journey to find a machine that would be like "drawing with a pencil moving over a paper." And convincing my husband that I just might need another machine!
Thank you for joining me on the Front Porch, feel free to stay and chat!
Nancy
One of the main problems I was running into was not enough harp space on my bigger projects. I had been researching machines and finally settled on my Juki, which I bought online through SewingMachinesPlus (a great company!). I convinced my husband that this was the LAST machine I would EVER need (I owned 5 machines at the time!). The bigger harp space was really nice but I still didn't manage the motion very well. Someone had explained it as "drawing with your pencil in place while moving your paper under it." Some people are great at that, (like Lori Kennidy at The Inbox Jaunt), I am not!. I love Lori's blog and use many of her patterns on my long arm.
Thus began my journey to find a machine that would be like "drawing with a pencil moving over a paper." And convincing my husband that I just might need another machine!
Thank you for joining me on the Front Porch, feel free to stay and chat!
Nancy