Quilt Projects Progress!
Last month I had a goal to make progress on quilt projects. So, I have made some progress over the past month on my quilt projects with a little help from a friend. I am enjoying a new to me Juki tl2010q with a Grace Q Zone Hoop Frame. I found this little gem for a great price on Facebook Marketplace. This is a small but mighty set-up. I don’t have space for a long arm set-up in my sewing room.
Progress in Baby Steps on Projects
Usually, my mechanical brain can figure out how to put things together…but this set-up required several YouTube videos, a few cups of coffee, reading, and rereading the directions. I complicated matters by adding a stitch regulator to it. Even though I had read articles by others that said not to bother, I couldn’t regulate myself enough to make nice even stitches. Was it a good add-on? For me, it was. No matter how quickly or slowly I move the machine, my stitches look good.
Practicing on smaller quilt projects
A lap quilt is a great size project to start with. The first quilt will make a great utility quilt, but the quilting definitely shows that I need practice! Meandering! I should have started with a meandering type of stitch. Instead, I chose an all-over looping kind of stitch that I call “bees trails.” It reminds me of the path of a bee in a child’s storybook. Well, some of those loops look like a child did it—time to take a break and walk away before I get frustrated.
Day Two Quilt Project Progress
I am glad that I walked away from the machine for a day. When I started today, things went so much smoother. I was more relaxed, but that could have pointed to the fact I was less caffeinated. Coffee and free-motion quilting don’t work well for me.
Progress, Progress, Progress
The second quilt I only meandered, and I love the results. Meandering used to be my go-to quilting method in years past. I use it on my regular machine. Because this machine rolls so nicely, I am not dealing with neck and shoulder pain! I cannot believe how easily this machine moves and quilts.
Dwindling Quilt Projects
Today, yes, just today, I finished three projects. It will be a while before I attempt anything more than meandering, and I am ok with that. Once upon a time, I did machine quilting on a mid-size machine. The creative part of trying new methods and designs of free motion quilting is fulfilling. But, I didn’t like the stress of quilting for others. I will focus on quilting my quilts and maybe test out new quilting designs, but I am content with just meandering across the quilt.
Quilt Project Progress – Time for Bindings
As I finally finish this post, I have five and a half quilt projects quilted. Time for bindings. With the smaller projects, the bindings should go quickly. I have a couple of new projects to complete for the fall, so I need to turn my attention to those.
Creating an Efficient Work Area
While I am working on other projects, my brain is still dwelling on how to create the most efficient set-up for machine quilting. With this system, I could sit down and do the quilting, but I found my back and neck hurt less while I am standing. This is true most of the time. Sitting is not my friend; I need to keep moving/walking.
The things that I kept reaching for are my pins and scissors. I need to find a convenient place for them while I am quilting. I will let this stew in the back of my brain for a while. By the time I am back to machine quilting, I hope to have a solution that will work for me.
Until next time.
You may be interested in these posts on Unfinished Projects and Quilting UFOs.
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