How do you get started?

[Lynn K.]

I had my FIRST class yesterday in machine quilting and am working today so can't practice! Boo Hoo.

But the teacher (Mary Jo Yackley in Houston) said it takes at LEAST overnight to get a motion or pattern in your head. Something about that part of your brain working on it overnight!

I guess I better get some of that fabric I don't like out and make some practice sandwiches for that 200-300 hours! We were introduced to many patterns to begin practicing on! Whew!

She also mentioned when you are on the phone with a long-winded friend (?) to have a doodle pad handy and just practice, practice, practice.........your brain will appreciate the training.

I always knew I enjoyed hand quilting for a reason! But I'm now convinced, I need to know both!

You will have a greate time learning how to free motion. If you dont want to waste fabric when you are trying to get the motion in your hands, quilt on paper with no thread. And if you really like one of your paper-free-motion-patterns you can use it as a template with loose "powder" and mark your quilt

[Lynn K.]

Great idea, Brink! You are a wonderful resource!

[Lynn K.]

Lulabell, yes, I do free-motion on my treadles, and I have one treadle that I use for straight-line quilting. It's a Davis Vertical Feed, and doesn't have any feed dogs. The needle moves down, pierces the quilt, then moves back, taking all three layers along with it so that puckers can't form, then the needle comes back up, moves forward, and goes down into the quilt again. It's fun to watch, LOL. It was made in about 1909, so is almost a century old. I love that machine. Well, okay, I love all my old beauties.

[karen f.]

That machine sounds so interesting. I can't even imagine what it looks like if you really get going. Can you sew fast on it?
Karen

[karen f.]

Brink

"Great idea on practice-ing on paper" You students are going to Love you,your feathers are awesome,great job!

Judy

Ditto. I don't like the basting spray at all for quilting either,just alot of Gunk Gunk Gunk ,and stickyness,over spray residue too. I sure wouldn't recomend using this basting spray on any thing bigger than a baby quilt. I would never use it again thats for sure! I tried it on a quillow.

Pat

I enjoy hearing about you using your treddle machine,they are really neat machines. Do you sew all the time on your treddle machine? You are a very unique quilter.

For everyone that is just getting into quilting,with alittle practice it keeps getting better and better, it's very relaxing, Enjoy.

Happy Quilting

[karen f.]

I do almost all my sewing on my treadles and hand cranks. You can see them at this url if you would like to take a look:

http://community.webshots.com/user/pknord


I did just purchase a Janome DC3050 so I could have the ability to do a double blanket stitch for applique, though, and may use it to embroider stems for some applique flowers on a quilt that I'm working on now. But the quilt will be free-motion quilted and pieced on my beloved treadles. They are very relaxing to work on, and I get a feeling of connection with our foremothers when using them.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[karen f.]

Pat

Thanks for sharing your photos," Now thats is alot of inspiration"!
Your quilts are all beautiful. You do have a great eye for color and your quilting is stunning. "Great Workmenship". I think it's great that you keep that connection of our foremothers. You are quite the untique quilter for sure, Simply Stunning Work.
(Thanks for the great Inspiration)
Hugzzz,Kathy