Free motion quilting update

After a few rave reviews on the supreme slider and using machine quilting gloves, I ended up buying both.


My free motion quilting improved - well, dramatically. Instead of being awful, it is now not too...bad. The supreme slider was really good in the sense that my fabric didn’t get 'caught' on anything when it was under my machine. It gave the quilt a lovely slippery feel to it, without being out of control but, I did use it with the machine quilting gloves. I think the two together is what made the difference, oh, and working out the the auto tension button just didn’t cut it and I actually had to manually set the tension.


I seemed to find a better rhythm - the sound of the machine and the movement of my hands, I also found being barefoot (thanks Helen) really made a difference too. Still, I am not quite able to get my stitches all even.


I also bought the quilt halo. Again it is something that needs a lot of practice to use and I found the quilt gloves easier. So, for the time being I will use the supreme slider and the quilt gloves, the tension cranked up to 8.5, and be barefooted while doing my free motion quilting. 


My daughters new quilt is going well. The pattern I am using (after some modifications) is the Janelle Wind - Candy Girl.

 I bought the jelly roll for the striped blocks but did all the strips the same size, and instead of the scallops made from fabric, I used some lace. I also made it to fit my daughters king single bed, so it is much bigger. I have managed to do all the striped blocks and am currently working on the applique blocks (all 14 of them) and it is taking a long time. I don't usually have patience for applique blocks but I really loved the look of this pattern that I thought I would give it a go. I have only managed to blind stitch one third of the blocks so far. At this rate it will take me weeks....


I am also thinking about doing a paintbox quilt-a-long that I found on the Oh, Fransson! website. Looks like a good way to use up some of the very old fabrics I have laying around. I might just see how I go with my daughters quilt first and then see how enthusiastic I am about it then.

Another great find - something called a Bobbin Saver (about $13). I bought one of these as I was really fed up with my plastic bobbin case spilling open and my thread ends nesting. It is really a wonderful little thing. I actually managed to find a generic one at Lincraft for $2.50 in pink. I bought a few of those and must say other than the colour they both work pretty much the same. No more bobbins flying across the floor and no thread nests!