Thursday, March 26, 2009

Only 393 hours to go

They say it takes about 400 hours of practice on the machine frame setups to become proficient in using them. I have what is considered to be a small to mid-arm sized setup. I have a Pfaff GrandQuilter for my machine and a HandiQuilter II style frame.

It took a few days to get the quilt loaded on the frame and everything set up to begin quilting. Of course all this is just a matter of learning how things work. I think it will be quite easy to do in the future.

The first real trouble I had was with thread tension. I think this is one of the most common types of problems for most folks in quilting, whether it be on a frame or just using the machine on a table. I had thread breakage problems and then thread loops underneath as I kept playing with the tension.

Today I went back at it. I changed needles to a top-stitch 100/16 needle, cleaned everything out very well, and then tried again to quilt. It worked! I do sometimes have thread breakage but each time I adjust things and I can now almost sew a full bobbin's worth without breakage.

I plan to get some 100/16 jeans needles at work today as I only had the top-stitch styled one, in that size, here. I've gone through four bobbins now. I like this! It will be much easier on me than wrestling the larger quilts at the table.

Below is a sample of my quilting. Nothing like taking a king size quilt and just "doing it" to it to learn how to quilt on a frame setup, huh! I always was the stubborn one. :)

4 comments:

Lutra said...

I didn't know you had the Pfaff and the Handiquilter!
When did you score that one?
I can't wait to see how it comes along....
starting with a king sized quilt too...how great is that!
Love seeing all the Creative Prompt projects too...
I feel like such a slug....

Sherri D said...

Hi Jane,
I bought the frame and machine separately about three months or so ago. Bargain shopper that I am these days, they were the right price at the right time! The frame was from eBay and the machine from Quilters Flea Market. I think I paid $1200 for the whole set up. Hubby made the table for the frame for me. What a guy! It is super sturdy and has drawers on each end. What quilter can't use more storage space, right? :)

Don't feel like a slug. After all, I began that quilt top last summer and am now just getting it quilted! I have so many others waiting to be finished. lol

Barbara C. said...

Great job! I'm jealous- I tried out a Grand Quilter at a show last year and fell in love with it.

Carolyn in Kentucky said...

Sherri,
I love the colors and the design of your summer pickle mystery quilt. This quilt will be gorgeous when you get it quilted. I think that you are getting the upper hand with your new quilting set-up. I know you are going to do great things. Sunshine