Laura Nownes

[Nancy R.]

I wanted to finish the QST for last week, and although they were cut, I hadn't sewn them until today. Laura speaks abut a 'leader' and Margo calls it a ' Startie-Stoppie", but I call it trouble. I have to lift my presser foot to get the needle to go into the 'real' fabric, and even though using the startie-stoppie - it doesn't work like I see that it does for Margo or Laura.

Question? Do you use one, and does it really work? If so, what might I be doing wrong (especially on those 45 degree angles - impossible to chain stitich them, except I just reposition the new one without cutting the thread - does that count?)

Now, let's see if my signature comes up....

[wendy w.]

Congratulations Rosemary 8) , try not to let it go to your head :lol:

[wendy w.]

Infamous, notorious and hilarious! That's our Rosemary.

[wendy w.]

I wanted to finish the QST for last week, and although they were cut, I hadn't sewn them until today. Laura speaks abut a 'leader' and Margo calls it a ' Startie-Stoppie", but I call it trouble. I have to lift my presser foot to get the needle to go into the 'real' fabric, and even though using the startie-stoppie - it doesn't work like I see that it does for Margo or Laura.

Question? Do you use one, and does it really work? If so, what might I be doing wrong (especially on those 45 degree angles - impossible to chain stitich them, except I just reposition the new one without cutting the thread - does that count?)

Now, let's see if my signature comes up....

'Leader', 'Startie-Stoppie', 'Thread saver' - what-ever-you-call-its... I do use one when chain stitching piecework, the main advantage, I find, is that because the threads are already meshed into a piece of fabric you do not get the 'birds nest' of threads at the back of the first one. I also lift my foot when putting in a new pair of pieces - and boy! do I wish that I had a knee bar for my presser foot. By the way if you are not cutting off the set just stitched, but going straight on with stitching the next set, I would say that that was chain stitching, lifting the presser foot or no. :wink:

[Lois B.]

I wanted to finish the QST for last week, and although they were cut, I hadn't sewn them until today. Laura speaks abut a 'leader' and Margo calls it a ' Startie-Stoppie", but I call it trouble. I have to lift my presser foot to get the needle to go into the 'real' fabric, and even though using the startie-stoppie - it doesn't work like I see that it does for Margo or Laura.

Question? Do you use one, and does it really work? If so, what might I be doing wrong (especially on those 45 degree angles - impossible to chain stitich them, except I just reposition the new one without cutting the thread - does that count?)

Now, let's see if my signature comes up....

Yes, Terrie, I use a startie-stoppy but I think I use it in conjution with the knee lift for the presser foot. I just nudge it a bit with my knee and never have to left the presser foot. I noticed problems with the startie-stoppie when I use it with the machine that has no knee lift. I was thinking that maybe I had the pressure on the presser foot too great but I didn't fiddle with it to see if that was it.

[E.M. T.]

I use one ,too. I learned to do so many moons ago before I had knee lift or such. They are handy !! Maybe as Lois said
the presser foot might need loosening up just a bit so that you can run onto the piece more easily. Keep trying...it's a good thing !

[E.M. T.]

Well...here are all my blocks to date. Will take a break now as Big Bernie 820 has to go to see the" doctor" and
find why she is acting up ! Drat ! It's a 200 miles total to the Dealer ! And then another trip to get her home .
That's why I have other machines ! Rrrrrr :x :x :x

[wendy w.]

Like your blocks Marilyn, very tasteful

[Annis C.]

The startie-stoppy doesn't work as good when sewing on bias edges. If you cut the dog ears off first that helps but takes time. I don't use a knee lift (I think I have one but just haven't gotten in the habit yet) and also have to lift the presser foot between blocks.

[Annis C.]

Very nice blocks, Marilyn. I like the scrappy background.

[Lois B.]

Well...here are all my blocks to date. Will take a break now as Big Bernie 820 has to go to see the" doctor" and
find why she is acting up ! Drat ! It's a 200 miles total to the Dealer ! And then another trip to get her home .
That's why I have other machines ! Rrrrrr :x :x :x

So sad! Glad you have other machines too. Hope you don't fall back on finishing the UFO's! Good luck!

[Nancy R.]

Hi Marilyn - Beautiful blocks and fabrics! Are those more Civil War reproductions? Sorry Big Bernie's not feeling well! I hope she gets better soon and starts humming away again on those UFOs!

Nancy

[Rita C.]

Terrie, I use a 'starty-stoppy' too and yes it does work better if you don't cut the threads between. Do you use needle-down as well? I find that helps too. You have probably watched the way Sally Collins does it, I found that really helped too.

[Rita C.]

Love those blocks Marilyn. I have spent the evening doing a label (3 times) for a baby quilt. 3rd time lucky. :roll: I hope to do my saw-tooth stars tomorrow.

[Rita C.]

Thanks for all your instructional comments. I don't have a machine that automatically does 'needle down', I do that myself (like the olden days!) And as far as a knee thing, my mom's old old machine had that to make the machine stop and go instead of the foot pedals we use today. I inherited that machne, but don't generaly use it. Although a bit basic, I love my machine which my four sons chipped in together to buy for my 50th BD.!! It was a very big surprise!


I have found that the startie-stoppie works better with straight-on stitching than with going in on those angles like the 45 degrees on the edges of the triangles. I found an old dowel the size of a pencil, and I sharpened it in the pencil sharpener, and I use that to hold down my points when coming to the end of the pointed angle. Seems to work.

Thanks for all your help.