Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Biding time before the big computer adventure


The machine was assembled on Monday, and I did a minute amount of free motion to try it out. It quilts like a dream. Actually, it feels a lot like Big Gammill, so I think it will serve me well. Tomorrow I get the Pro Stitcher lesson. Oh my! The manual was a bit scary when I looked it over last night on my laptop. I'm having it printed and bound at the local print shop so I'll have it at hand when I start quilting. Andrea is so calm and clear with instructions, I think I'll get the hang of it before she leaves me on my own. The great thing is that she is only a phone call away if I do something bad!

Josh and Andrea assembled the frame and set up the machine.

The table is shiny and new...and isn't all cluttered...yet.

We loaded a small piece of muslin and I tried out the free motion setting.
I'm excited about how that went and can't wait to try it out on a quilt.

The tablet is a funny named brand. Chuwi. I think I may need to name the machine Chewie. Ha ha

Yesterday, we had the longarm meeting at the beautiful home of the leader. She is also a longarm quilter with a studio to die for. Her work is always gorgeous, and I hope to learn some tricks from her to improve my work. Anyway, she showed us her method of squaring up backings. Another member showed us how to increase the size of small backings by using a formula and cutting them in a diagonal, and re-sewing. You can find the instructions at the end of this post.

Sarah demonstrate how to measure and trim backings to make them square.

This is a small ornament that Sarah had on her Christmas tree. Her mom made them.
I figured out it is needlepoint plastic cut in squares and stitched. 

Th bottom is not stitched shut, so when squeezed on the sides, it opens! They used to put Hershey kisses in these for the kids to find. I'd love to try to make one. 


Here is the link to the backing enlargement method. https://jinnybeyer.com/a-solution-for-just-too-narrow-quilt-backing-fabric/




3 comments:

  1. Oh, I am so jealous. I was supposed to get my new machine this week, but they had to postpone for another couple of weeks. Like you, my new one will be computerized so there will be a learning curve for me. I will be watching to see how you do with yours.

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    1. I have had my dy of instruction, and my head is spinning! Oh my, such a lot to absorb. I plan to monkey around with it for a while before loading a real quilt.

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    2. Oh my gosh! I read your blog and see you are from Victoria. My dad and sister live in Harlingen and we will be visiting in January. We go a few times a year, as my dad is 99 years old and I want as much time with him as possible. I'll think of you a I pass through Victoria later this month. Cheers, Susan

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