BSR foot

[Paula D.]

I am about to start quilting a large bed 108" By 108" quilt. I would like to use my BSR foot but use regular quilting in the ditch with a quilt stitch. As anyone tried this and is it possible? The basic quilt is sampler blocks 16'by16'. They are all different so I am not sure a free motion pattern will work since I am using a wool batting. Any suggestions. :?: :?:

[Kathryn S.]

I am about to start quilting a large bed 108" By 108" quilt. I would like to use my BSR foot but use regular quilting in the ditch with a quilt stitch. As anyone tried this and is it possible? The basic quilt is sampler blocks 16'by16'. They are all different so I am not sure a free motion pattern will work since I am using a wool batting. Any suggestions. :?: :?:

Hi Isabelle, I think that the BSR attachment only works with free motion quilting, since you wouldn't be using the feed dogs to move the fabric when free motion quilting. If you are doing ditch quilting with the feed dogs up, those would keep your stitch length to whatever you set it. Are you planning on free motion ditch quilting, or quilting with a regular presser foot and the feed dogs up?

I've free motion ditch quilted before but it is harder for me than doing it with the regular presser foot with feed dogs up. I use my open toe foot so I can see the ditch. Even though I am turning the quilt at times, it seems easier to me. When I did my Ruffled Roses quilt I did quilt some of the star blocks free motion but it was nerve wracking!

Quilting a really large quilt like yours is challenging because of the drag from all that weight.

I hope you will post some photos of your quilt when you are finished!

Kathy

[Norma H.]

It is possible to do it but as Kathy suggests it could be easier with the presser foot. Depends on how experienced you are with free motion quilting. I suggest the walking foot if you choose this option.

[Norma H.]

After reading your answers and looking at some free motion designs I have decided to free motion it. I will take my time though because if I don't I could ruin the quilt. Wish me luck. Thanks for the advice.

[Betty J.]

Here are a few hints I've found in quilting larger quilts with a BSR that might be helpful for you. I use a Bernina 830 with a BSR:

-- Stabilize it by doing some quilting in the ditch with your walking foot or dual feed clicked on including stitch in the ditch around the border(s) seam(s) before you start other stitching. I use my number 10 foot, which has that blade that helps run right down the middle of the seam with my dual feed. The newer Bernina walking foot has a similar bladed foot. If you do this, it will help minimize waves in your border and also help minimize fold-overs and wrinkles on the back.

-- Stitch closely around any appliques with matching thread.

-- Set the BSR with a smaller stitch length and do some testing for the tension first before you start on your big quilt. I generally set mine with Superior Bottom Line in the bobbin and thread it as if I were going to do embroidery. Then the top tension is adjusted by threads--3.0 for most 40 wts.

-- That size quilt really needs support with additional tables or ironing boards or a large cabinet. I found this helps almost more than anything.

-- I use one of those slick mats, and tape it down for added security with blue painters tape around the edges for free motion.

-- I generally use either a 90/14 top stitching needle for most threads, or a 70 sharp for 100 weight silk.

-- Take your time...going slower works better for detailed quilting especially.

-- An audiobook or music helps make the quilting go better for me. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Norma H.]

Well spoken, BJ

[Norma H.]

Yes, what BJ said. The only thing I would add is that wool doesn't mind the stitching with the BSR.

[Norma H.]

thank you for the info!
i really wonder years how can i avoid wrinkles on a quilt *when you quilt suddenly you got extra fabric on the top - there is no way to flatten it.
again thank you!

[Norma H.]

Thank you all. I do pin my quilts extensively after laying it out on my floor and making sure there are absolutely no winkles. I tape the backing to the floor and then layer. I work my pins from the center out smoothing while I pin. I then quilt on my large table with a fold away table on either side of my machine. This method has made a huge difference it quilting . I appreciate the method of quilting in the ditch on all boarders first. I have never done this I appreciate all you info and support.
Thanks
:P

[Nancy R.]

I don't have a BSR, but I do quilt large quilts on my domestic sewing machine so thought I'd add my 2 cents worth.

For large quilts, I often do my SID with my free motion foot rather than with my walking foot if the quilting isn't in long, straight lines. This is for the SID in the block elements rather than along the rows and columns. It's really much easier than trying to turn that bulk in the machine and trying to stuff all of the large quilt under the arm. If you go slow it really isn't too bad. Sometimes I'll leave my feed dogs up since that sometimes helps me to keep my lines straight, but that really depends on the quilt and maybe the thread.

I've started doing more quilts with wool batting, especially double bats with wool on top and cotton on the bottom. I find that the puff is a bit more difficult to quilt because the top shifts more, so you do have to be more careful to keep things flat. With a puffy bat, I've found that I'm less likely to get puckers when doing curved quilting with the free motion foot than when doing straight quilting with the walking foot. I don't have major problems with the walking foot, just more than with the free motion foot. So just be careful with your puffy batting. I do things like keeping my hands closer to the needle so they can help flatten the area where I'm sewing which means that I have to shift my hands more often. But I really love the look that the puff adds.

Have fun with your quilt and don't forget to show us pictures when you are finished!

Nancy

[Nancy R.]

Thanks for the info. It is going to take me awhile since it is summer and camping is calling me ( off for 3 days) Probably I will try and finish it before the end of August.
Happy Quilting!

[Nancy R.]

I seem to remember another thread talking about the BSR and how it doesn't seem to like gold printed fabrics and some bright yellows, it has trouble 'reading' their movement or something. Jus' sayin'....

[Betty J.]

I seem to remember another thread talking about the BSR and how it doesn't seem to like gold printed fabrics and some bright yellows, it has trouble 'reading' their movement or something. Jus' sayin'....

I don't know about bright yellow, but I have no trouble with gold printed fabrics. This was quilted entirely using my BSR. Hard to get more gold print than this...LOL

[Margo C.]

I think it is RED that the BSR laser light doesn't "read" well.

[Betty J.]

Perhaps those of us with BSRs should run some tests.