Basically, I get my settings ready, turn my machine sideways and start quilting.
I always start from the center of the quilt outwards. I usually work towards the quilt that is rolled up in the throat of the machine and work from side to side that ways. Then, I turn the quilt around, and work the other way. It's not a perfect art. Sometimes I end up going in different directions, depending how the groove goes, and how much bunching occurs. I have to tell you though, it is so much easier on your shoulders and your posture, and your hands have a good handle on the fabric and can move your fabric easier.
If you were doing something more intricate like feathering, or directional design, I'm sure you'd have to tweak the fabric positioning according to your design. But, hey, this works for me, and it's quite enjoyable. Here's a very candid video my husband took. He thinks I'm crazy for blogging. I think HE'S crazy, especially since the first 3 seconds of the video was just cleavage shots he took of me. LOL!
Thanks for the video. I am definitly going to try this on my next quilt. I was getting really frustrated with my last one so I think this will ease some pain and suffering!
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say I have never seen maching quilting this way, but it makes sense! I am going to try this and see if I can get the hang of it. Thank you for sharing this great method.
ReplyDeleteshanna
Thank you for the video! This really is a clever idea. I am impressed. I will eventually give this a try. I have a really old- older than me anyway- sewing machine so I don't know how it would handle this, but I am going to attempt it anyway.
ReplyDeleteMy husband also thinks I'm a little wierd for (and addicted to) blogging now, but I don't care. Men don't really know much about anything, anyway, so their opinion holds little value. (He calls fabric my "porn". I'll be sitting at the computer and he will say, "Are you looking at your porn again?" Funny man, huh? Gonna be real funny when our kid tells his teacher that his mom looks at porn on the internet.)
Thank you for the video demo! The last time I sat down to quilt (just straight lines, I'm not ready for freemotion yet) I turned my machine around as you'd suggested and my mind went completely blank: "euh?" It makes more sense now and I think my shoulders (and my brain) will thank you next time I attempt it!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Never ever thought to turn the machine but it makes sense. My shoulders and I thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting LOL'ing at your funny husband! Thanks for the great tip on the quilting, I'm going to try that next time!
ReplyDeleteYou make it look so easy! I'm going to try it. It really makes a lot of sense. Thank you. Will visit again soon...
ReplyDeleteI couldn't remember where I picked up this trick -- It was YOU!! I'm so glad you posted this - it works for me too! Totally linking up to you tonight :)
ReplyDeleteI linked to your video at http://quilting.craftgossip.com/video-machine-quilting-perpendicular/2009/07/16/
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your "sideways" method of machine quilting.
Scarlett Burroughs
Quilting Editor, Craft Gossip
I am definitely trying this method!!! Thanks so much for showing us.
ReplyDeleteMy jaw just hit my desk. THIS IS SO AWESOME! I need to try this method. I just about wore myself out trying to machine quilt a baby quilt and was so frustrated with not being able to get a good grab on the quilt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Amy sent me over via her blog. Great idea you have!! I will have to give that a try sometime. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteFound your video from Park City Girl's post ... what a marvelous idea. I will be trying this soon! Thank you for sharing...
ReplyDeleteThanks to Park City Girl (Amy) for posting a link to your blog on her blog... this looks incredibly wonderful! I can't wait to try it! I am trying my hand at machine quilting again after writing it off about five years ago, and am getting ready to start a new quilt... I am going to give this a try! YAY! :)
ReplyDeleteI tried i last night. I loved not having all the fabric to contend with in the throat, but with my machine I had a hard time seeing the needle. More practice? It might just be the way I'm quilting, a little intricate for my first time doing it this way?
ReplyDeleteVery Cool. I have machine quilted the "hard" way for years. Sometimes I couldn't raise my hands over my head when I was done. Your sideways method may have saved me some quilter's triceps as I called it. Thanks for the video, gotta love husbands ;)
ReplyDeleteMy husband probably would have done exactly the same thing ;) He volunteered recently to video my curved piecing sewing. He is such a sweetie and so supportive. Great video!
ReplyDeleteI can understand why this would work really well as this is how the machine would be oriented on a quilting frame. I will have to try it on my next two quilts that I need to get done before Dec 5th.
Thanks so much for sharing.
What an idea!! I am going to try this. Thanks for blogging about your way of doing FMQ. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Amy (Amy's Creative Side, formerly Park City Girl) just linked to this again today and I love it! I've got a quilt I need to get started on and have been dreading it and I think this is JUST the thing. Thank you! (I don't think I would have ever thought of this in a million years without you!)
ReplyDeleteI’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road. Many thanks gmail sign in
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