New Machine

And boy do I have questions ;)

     Well, I have had it for about a week now, Juki Exceed 400, and I have to say I am totally in love with it so far.  I have basically just done piecing with it. I am working into it slow to make sure I am comfortable with it before I move on.  So, no problems with the basics, it sews so quiet and smooth. I love the thread cutting and needle threading. I like that I touch one button to move the needle into a position to make it so that the 1/4" mark is the edge of the presser foot. The speed control is a really nice feature. I know no matter how hard I am pressing the foot control its top speed will go no faster than I am comfortable with and wont go out of control on me. The feed is so smooth and easy to control. You don't have to stay on top of it to keep the seam going straight. It is just a comfortable smooth feed.

 I  now feel ready to learn how to machine quilt. It is funny, back in the day, when I started to quilt, it wasn't really an option. I don't remember anyone doing it at all. Things have changed so much.

So I have some questions if anyone will take the time to answer for me I sure would appreciate it.

1. When stitching in the ditch which is the best foot to use?

2. How do you get your stitches to look hand sewn? I have seen some quilts where there is more space between the stitches that make it look had sewn.

3. For straight line quilting which is the best method and which foot do you prefer?

4. Do you do this with feed dogs up or down?

5. With free motion do you cover your feed dogs or just drop them?

Ok, well, I think that is enough questions for now. :)  

I hope you are all having a wonderfully happy Monday

Kate

Yay! A New machine!!!!

New Machine on it's way!

     Well, my new machine is finally on it's way! I was beginning to think they were never going to ship it. Hopefully tomorrow or the next day..... keep your fingers crossed!
    It's a JukiExcell 400. Every review I read on it, its owner loved it. As I am not mechanically inclined and just looking for a solid machine to quilt with, this seemed perfect for me. It also has alot of embroidery stuff I can branch out into if I ever find the time :) It is always nice to have options!

     So anyway, I still haven't found my camera, go figure, it is not like it has too many places to hide. I did attempt to take pictures on my cell phone and got one that didn't turn out totally horrible.  This is the quilt top I just finished for http://quiltsforkids.org/ .
The fabric is Lelia Rose from P&B Textiles. Quilts for Kids sent me the package of fabrics all precut and ready to go. This will also be my first machine quilting project. LOL lets hope the learning curve is fast. From there I am on to my qov quilt.

Truly not the best picture but its a start!

Hope you all had a wonderful, blessed Easter and I am wishing you a fantastic week!

Kate

Quilts of Valor

            GO!™ for a Star Blog Hop           

      QOV Challenge Dates: April 1 – May 31

"  Our goal is to challenge and inspire as many quilters as possible to make a QOV, whether it be a single quilt block, a set of blocks, a quilt top, or a completed quilt – and submit it by May 31 so that it can be given to an active duty service member or Veteran who has served in a war zone." stated by  Marjorie of Marjories Quilting Bee.

  We have had wars dragging on for years in this country and I am sure by this point everyone knows somebody who has served, who's life has changed, or suffered the greatest of all losses.   Maybe you have wondered what you can do to help , how to reach out and show that you care to one of the many who have served their country so honorably.

       My son has served 2 tours in Iraq already and my nephew is currently in Afghanistan. We are all praying for his safe return.  I can't explain the feeling of going to sleep at night knowing that someone you love is half a world away and there is nothing you can do, not hug them, or to give them a gentle touch of encouragement, or be there to hold their hand if they get scared or hurt. It is such a helpless , horrible feeling.  I wish I had known about Quilts of Valor sooner, I would have been sewing my fingers raw :)
     I am hoping everyone takes the time to go and check out this challenge and do what you can to help!!
 Click on the buttons on the left or the links at the top.