Constant Learning

When I started this blog, I wanted to record and show about learning about long arm quilting; the good and the bad.  I have certainly encountered the bad but on balance it is pretty well all good now.  The techniques and stitches do not seem as formidable as at the start.  Practice certainly does make it easier.  There is so much to learn from how you treat and prepare the quilt to mounting, adjusting tension and picking patterns.  And that comes before you actually do the work.  Tension; the quilt itself can play havoc with your plans. 

Thanks to the many experts on line who share their knowledge so freely I enjoy doing quilts.  The videos are wonderful.  You repeat them if you miss something or do not quite get it.  And the repertory of stitches is so huge.  They are based on the simple geometry of lines and curves at the most basic level. But combined they sweep your eyes over a quilt in a pleasurable way.

Of course once you get to stage 1 in your skills and knowledge, there is the excitement of getting to stage 2 and onward.  Until a quilt is quilted, a true assessment of its success cannot be made.  A quilt top, bottom and batting comes in and a QUILT goes out back to its owner.

But not all quilts are big enough for a long arm.  That leaves the domestic machine.  There are art quilts, table covers and runners which can be done with a walking foot but once you have become used to swirls and pebbles and flowers and geometric designs on a larger scale you don't just want straight lines except when they are the right thing.  I am afraid I would not do a full size quilt on a domestic machine but starting with a long arm made me prejudiced.

However, translating from using the machine as an art pencil where the machine moves to moving the fabric is not easy.  Your mind needs to make the shift so your hands can do the work.  You are back again to tension, stitch length, and keeping the quilt itself with enough tension on the layers.  It is easier on a frame.  And of course there are aids on the long arm.  The stitch regulator.  That is a somewhat controversial subject as to whether that is a form of cheating.  I prefer to think that tools are made to be used and if they help then they are great to have. 

I have a wonderful domestic machine which I have had for several years.  I have enjoyed using it for embroidery; embroidery as applique and just plain piecing as well as decorative stitches on quilts and other objects.  But no stitch regulator or at least one that is easy to use.  My quilting without a regulator did get better but in comparison to the long arm it was not satisfactory.   So,...................

I gave myself a Christmas present.  A new machine with a stitch regulator by Bernina.  The regulator comes in its own box; packaged in protective foam.  It looks a lot like an ordinary quilting foot but it is laser activated.  Oh how wonderful is technology.  Is it worth the cost?  After some practicing I believe it is.  It will allow expression and control that the long arm provides with the convenience of being able to do small pieces readily.  The following are examples of just doing some practicing today.  There are mistakes but I love Angela Waters concept of mistakes.  So here is an example of a second piece.  The first one was defeated by the wrong choice of a patterned material and the ability to keep the 3 layers completed synchronized.  I admire those whose stitching on a domestic machine is perfect but am willing to admit it like the stitch regulator.