Free Motion Quilting. Do you use a frame or not?

[Lynn K.]

I so much appreciate all of your comments. I'm going to a quilting class in the morning here in Houston. I'll be thinking, thinking, working, and practicing.

[Lynn K.]

I do free motion quilting on a janome long arm. I just finished a nine patch quilt top and I quilted the complete quilt in the ditch in both directions,then I decided I wanted more quilting design, all the pins were removed because it was all quilted in the ditch so this is always nice when you are quilting, I added loop de loops to each little block. Now doing it free hand each loop is not perfect,nothing was drawed out it is all free hand,this is the first time I temped a complete quilt with out a drawed out pattern, Its really is repetition and practice which takes time, I did a simple pattern and knowing each loop is not perfect but boy does the quilting look pretty good! LOL! "If you were to look at it with a fine tooth comb you would see the imperfections." I'll put up a photo later to show you this in my blog easy quilting of "loop de loops". With out a drawed out pattern I think you need to start out on easy designs.
The binding I always do by complete machine. If you were to put one in a show you have to hand sew them because they look for perfection. I frown on this because there is no such thing as perfect, and besides I will never enter a show,I don't want to stress so much and take any of my enjoyment away. I'm my worst critic so close enough makes me very happy. I should have done this or I should have done that,even with this quilt! LOL, each quilt I make its the same tune, Though I'm happy.
Loop de Loops,Kathy

[Lynn K.]

What is a Janome long-arm? I didn't know they made one. I have the 6600 which has a long-er arm .....

[Lynn K.]

My Janome 1600 is a long arm sewing machine was made mainly for just quilting,some may piece thier quilts on this machine but I use mine only for quilting, it has a 16 inch neck for getting your quilts under the neck with out fighting the bulk.
I use my janome 9500 embroidery machine for all my piecing. I like both of my janomes.
I don't use a frame,My janome sets on a large desk stable for quilting.
Long arm machines are ones that have the larger neck plates.

[Lynn K.]

well, the day is not over and I've already learned something.

Add that on to everything I learned yesterday in my class with Mary Jo on machine quilting and it's been a great week! And it's only Tuesday!

Lynn

PS: Thanks. Education I love!

[Lynn K.]

My Janome 1600 is a long arm sewing machine was made mainly for just quilting,some may piece thier quilts on this machine but I use mine only for quilting, it has a 16 inch neck for getting your quilts under the neck with out fighting the bulk.
Long arm machines are ones that have the larger neck plates.

I thought the 1600 had a 9" throat, like the 6500/6600? I'd love a 16" Janome!

Lisa

[Lynn K.]

Lisa

You are right its about 9 inches,don't know what I was thinking it Looks bigger then that. Has plenty of room for quilting king size quilts, I Like Janomes.
I Love my Janome 1600_a long arm, and Janome 9500 embroidery.
Both are great machines. Kathy