AboutPatricia Fountain Expertise I can answer questions about sewing machine for quilting, supplies, equipment, fabrics, and methods of piecing including applique, foundation piecing, machine quilting and hand quilting.
Experience 40 years of sewing expertise over 10 years quilting. I have experience making quilts for beds, garments, table items (placemats, runners, etc.) wall hangings, etc. I teach quilting and sewing at my home studio.
Organizations American Quilting Society
Education/Credentials NYS Certified Home Economics Teacher (FACS)
Home Serwing Association Trained Sewing Educator
Question Hi I've only been quilting for less than a year and am getting frustrated by using my Elna 6600 to machine quilt. I've mainly been doing stitch in the ditch and wavy lines because I want to take some lessons before I get stuck yet again with free quilting. My question is what sort of industrial would suit straight stitching on a quilt? The point being the throat space that it gives and of course the walking foot. I obviously wouldn't be able to free quilt on it but I think I could find enough Sashiko type patterns to keep me happy for some time if I don't stitch in the ditch.
Answer Hi Jeanne,
You might want to pick up a book on machine quilting. There are a few seay ones out there to get you started. I love free motion quilting, but I have some tools that make it a pleasure to do. First you ned to have a 'darning foot' This is a foot that looks like a circle on a post. Next you drop you feed dogs. This way you can stitch out patterns you have 'drawn' (using chalk or other tools) or just 'meandering' - looks sort of like the lines between puzzle pieces.
My favorite tools there are quilting cloves you can get from Fons & Porter. They are soft cotton gloves with rubber/plastic 'bumps' like the gloves you use for gardening/gripping. I'd suggest using those but mostly they are too stiff. These gloves help you control the 'quilt sandwich' while it is under the needle.
I do use my Bernina to machine quilt small projects. Larger ones I am just learning to do on my quilt frame with my Juki 98 QE. The Juki is a home 'long arm' and gives you quite a bit more room. However, on a frame I only get 4" for a pattern so it is still pretty limited. You still have to use the darning foot. The walking foot is only useable on the regular machine.
For the occasional quilter the larger commercial long arm machines are a bit expensive. If you have something really special you have made it is worth the price to take it to a long arm quilter.
Machine quilting is as much an art as piecing so you might just want to take that class. Some quilters are piecers and some just love the quilting. There's room for both.
