Mind blown from your tip about adding another layer of fabric on the top of an ugly practice sandwich!! I have several that I've done and still have. That was the best thing I've learned in quite awhile! Thank you!
I got plain muslin top and bottom and played. When I got done, I cut them into large pieces, zigzagged the edges and gave them to pet shelters and vet clinics
Another option for a practice piece is to buy a used comforter from a thrift shop or garage sale and quilting over top what's there, You can even cut it in half or quarters if it is really big, and just give them a rough hem at the cut edge (or not)
I've just been practicing on a 'ugly, I don't want it fabric. It was some I bought from a big box store in the beginning of my journey. I dug thru totes & found quite a few almost 1yd & 1 yrd pieces. Just sewed them together to get the size I need on my hoop frame. Dog bed !! New puppy in the house 🏠 good idea !! ❤❤❤
I am in the upstate of South Carolina and I am blessed to be able to rent the longarm machines to do my own quilts. I am not able to afford my own longarm at this time so it is the best way for me to learn and get experience right now and while I love learning, I do have to pay by the hour to rent and pay for my bobbins which can run up to $100 for about a 4 hour session for me. I am stuck in the meander or loop stage but want so badly to learn something else and would love to do feathers, trees, snowflakes, etc but was told I am better off just "letting the computer do edge to edge for me" but my personal purpose in renting is so I can learn to do free motion while learning the ins and outs of the machine I plan to purchase in the future. I see it as an investment and as part of that investment of my time and money I want the ability to custom quilt and use the rulers that come with this machine. I have tried the rulers and it was humbling to say the least. There is no "teacher" when you rent the machine so I am left on my own to do as I please so what I would like to ask you is since I am doing this on my own what could I attempt to do besides the loops or meanders I have done on over 16 quilts at this point? I am wanting something different but am stuck with any ideas since I am on my own. I have practiced on panels and attempted circles and line work with the rulers but that was not very pretty so those quickly became the dogs quilt panels. Any suggestions for what I can transition to in order to learn something besides meandering or loops?
I would start embellishing the loops. Doubles, triples…tuck in things like hearts or different leaves. All these things will increase your control of the machine.
I currently do not have a long arm but would like to someday own one. Thank you for making these videos as I am learning alot. I do currently machine quilt on my domestic and I am able to apply some the the knowledge to my domestic. I am trying to catch up on your videos so apologize if this has been asked but I struggle with knowing what design or pattern to use on my small projects.
I’m doing a workshop later this month that really delves into that, and how I arrive at design decisions. Watch my newsletter this week for more details.
I have a cross-stitched tablecloth done by my late aunt. She made one for each of her nieces before she died of cancer. I wonder about turning that into a quilt. I never use a tablecloth, but I’d love to see it as a quilt. That might be a good practice piece.
I might be concerned about the thread from the cross stitching snagging on the foot of the long arm/sewing machine. I used a piece of material with raised stitching on one side and the bottom piece snagged on the plate of my machine.
@@syoungb , we’ll, the stitches would be covered by the batting and backing on the back side, so I’m not worried about that snagging, and I was planning to echo around the cross-stitch, not over it, so hopefully I can avoid snagging. My main concern is that the fabric is not right. It feels heavy or dense. One of the ladies at the guild has done stuff like this, so I’ll get her advice before I try it. Thanks!
Panels are sometimes inexpensive, especially o sale or at a local craft store. I use them to practice some designs but to also just practice control with my long arm.
I’d look for ease of threading and maintenance, supporting classes or help, and then drive several and find out what you like the feel of. A quilt show is a great place to compare.
I have the Bernina Q16 - and love it. No more skipped stitches or any machine issues when quilting, I only need to concentrate on me and getting the design look I'm wanting,
So grateful to a local group that made charity quilts for the vets….they suffered me greatly as I learned and were very generous to me….
Aw! Quilters are generous people❤️
Mind blown from your tip about adding another layer of fabric on the top of an ugly practice sandwich!! I have several that I've done and still have. That was the best thing I've learned in quite awhile! Thank you!
Awesome!
I got plain muslin top and bottom and played. When I got done, I cut them into large pieces, zigzagged the edges and gave them to pet shelters and vet clinics
I love these ideas! I have two bins of give away fabric I inherited from my mom. I will use it for practice!
Another option for a practice piece is to buy a used comforter from a thrift shop or garage sale and quilting over top what's there, You can even cut it in half or quarters if it is really big, and just give them a rough hem at the cut edge (or not)
Good idea!
Watching late. Love hearing from you every day
I've just been practicing on a 'ugly, I don't want it fabric. It was some I bought from a big box store in the beginning of my journey. I dug thru totes & found quite a few almost 1yd & 1 yrd pieces. Just sewed them together to get the size I need on my hoop frame. Dog bed !! New puppy in the house 🏠 good idea !!
❤❤❤
I also liked the idea of surging / zigzaging the edges good tip ! 😮
I have been making quilts for foster care and I have been practicing on these. Children in need are not that critical
I am in the upstate of South Carolina and I am blessed to be able to rent the longarm machines to do my own quilts. I am not able to afford my own longarm at this time so it is the best way for me to learn and get experience right now and while I love learning, I do have to pay by the hour to rent and pay for my bobbins which can run up to $100 for about a 4 hour session for me. I am stuck in the meander or loop stage but want so badly to learn something else and would love to do feathers, trees, snowflakes, etc but was told I am better off just "letting the computer do edge to edge for me" but my personal purpose in renting is so I can learn to do free motion while learning the ins and outs of the machine I plan to purchase in the future. I see it as an investment and as part of that investment of my time and money I want the ability to custom quilt and use the rulers that come with this machine. I have tried the rulers and it was humbling to say the least. There is no "teacher" when you rent the machine so I am left on my own to do as I please so what I would like to ask you is since I am doing this on my own what could I attempt to do besides the loops or meanders I have done on over 16 quilts at this point? I am wanting something different but am stuck with any ideas since I am on my own. I have practiced on panels and attempted circles and line work with the rulers but that was not very pretty so those quickly became the dogs quilt panels. Any suggestions for what I can transition to in order to learn something besides meandering or loops?
I would start embellishing the loops. Doubles, triples…tuck in things like hearts or different leaves. All these things will increase your control of the machine.
Battered Women’s Shelters are wonderful places to donate quilts
They sure are!
Our local emergency rescue service is always happy to receive donation quilts.
I currently do not have a long arm but would like to someday own one. Thank you for making these videos as I am learning alot. I do currently machine quilt on my domestic and I am able to apply some the the knowledge to my domestic. I am trying to catch up on your videos so apologize if this has been asked but I struggle with knowing what design or pattern to use on my small projects.
I’m doing a workshop later this month that really delves into that, and how I arrive at design decisions. Watch my newsletter this week for more details.
Just found you Susan from Canada
I have a cross-stitched tablecloth done by my late aunt. She made one for each of her nieces before she died of cancer. I wonder about turning that into a quilt. I never use a tablecloth, but I’d love to see it as a quilt. That might be a good practice piece.
I feel like beginner practice you might want to go even more casual. Prints that don’t show the wobbles, for example, because they will happen😁
I might be concerned about the thread from the cross stitching snagging on the foot of the long arm/sewing machine. I used a piece of material with raised stitching on one side and the bottom piece snagged on the plate of my machine.
@@syoungb , we’ll, the stitches would be covered by the batting and backing on the back side, so I’m not worried about that snagging, and I was planning to echo around the cross-stitch, not over it, so hopefully I can avoid snagging. My main concern is that the fabric is not right. It feels heavy or dense. One of the ladies at the guild has done stuff like this, so I’ll get her advice before I try it. Thanks!
@@sshirleyks Good plan. I started out on a Levi patchwork and it worked okay with the appropriate needle.
Panels are sometimes inexpensive, especially o sale or at a local craft store. I use them to practice some designs but to also just practice control with my long arm.
Wanting to purchase a sitdown longarmm. What questions should I ask when shopping for one.
I’d look for ease of threading and maintenance, supporting classes or help, and then drive several and find out what you like the feel of. A quilt show is a great place to compare.
I have the Bernina Q16 - and love it. No more skipped stitches or any machine issues when quilting, I only need to concentrate on me and getting the design look I'm wanting,