Yes, it's free motion quilting time. It's a bit like jumping into cold water - you have to brace yourself. Then after a few days' practice you just stroll over to the sewing machine and casually blaze away for ten minutes and another section is completed.
Making the video was fun. I will just let you imagine my feet. My slippers kept slipping off so they were held in place with strips cut off an old pair of tights. Also the lighting is tricky on wet November days and I managed to drop a lamp and smash it. All in a day's work.
Wow, that is truly amazing. I am learning as well, but on a modern machine. It still seems that the machine needs to go fast, but your hands not so much. Otherwise you get big, jaggedy (is that a word?) stitches. Ask me how I know this! I love watching this video and your calm voice with beautiful English accent makes me think I am watching Downton Abbey.
ReplyDeleteHello Mary Ellen,
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the video. I'm beginning to look forward to FMQ now instead of dreading it. After I have finished this quilt I might even branch out into a different pattern...
I must be the one person in the English speaking world who hasn't watched Downton Abbey. Just thought I'd let you know that my accent puts me firmly in the servant class. It takes an English pair of ears to spot that.
Love,
Muv
Watching how you do this is an inspiration (your stitches are so even) & the cling wrap idea is brilliant! I will be going much more slowly with hand cranking the old 99K but it will work with practice as the wonderful "Singer Instructions for Art Embroidery cieca1911 explains, here's the link-
ReplyDeletehttp://archive.org/details/singerinstructio00sing
my hopping foot, new rubber bobbin winding ring and spare bobbins all arrived in the post yesterday so I will have lots of fun in the xmas holidays!
Hello Mo,
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing book - I have a copy of the 1931 edition which I tracked down in a local second hand book shop.
Free motion work just isn't feasible on a hand machine - you need an electric machine or a treadle so you can have both hands free to move the work. Also, if you are using a vintage machine, you need a machine with the central bobbin mechanism, so a Singer 15 is best. A 99K is a rotary hook machine. You might have to get yourself a new machine for Christmas. I can't think of a better excuse.
Love,
Muv