Star Points

[Robin G.]

No matter how careful I am about pressing and pinning points, my machine (new!) seems to get stuck going through the thicker sections that have many points meeting. I have tried opening the seams as well as kissing seam points, changing to new needles, but those thicker joints just seem to bog down the machine. Any advice on what I'm doing wrong or hints about avoiding that problem? Thanks. :?:

[Margo C.]

Have you tried starching your fabrics before you cut your patches out? Starch and steam can make a huge difference in the flatness of an intersection, but you must be careful to PRESS and not iron the blocks. (Moving the iron will cause distortion.)

You might also consider twirling your intersections. It's not always possible, but it makes a really flat intersection. There are some photos on my webshots album here:

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...02889971nRhUJI

Scroll down to read the text about how I do it. This tute was from our 2009 TQS BOM.

[Margo C.]

One more thing--the pressure that is pushing down on the fabric by the foot itself could be made a little tighter.

[Margo C.]

Thanks so much. I am definately going to try the starch. I'm having a blast with this project (hmmm-once I get more proficient with those star points!)