My thoughts on using my Handi Quilter for the first time.

I would like to tell you about using my Sweet Sixteen for the first time.  First I practiced on some small blocks of quilt sandwiches to find a sewing speed that would give me the stitch length I wanted.  Then I sewed my first quilt, here are my first impressions...

• I felt it was easier to adjust the "fabric sandwich" as quilted due to the large work area, left, right, front and back as compared to my DSM domestic sewing machine.  The fabric laid so flat.
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• Sewing on my DSM for so many years I had to remember to press the foot pedal all the way down and keep it that way.  I was tempted to pick my foot off the pedal to go slower but realized if I wanted to go slower I would move the fabric slower.  
• When you take your foot off the pedal wait for the needle to drop down.  Don't take you hands off the fabric when you take your foot off the pedal.  Doing this causes the fabric to shift slightly since the needle has not dropped down yet and then your next stitch is not in line.
• Keep the fabric moving at a consistent speed.  I had a tendency to move the fabric faster in order to get to a desired area.  I also wanted to go faster on curves.  
• Don't look at the needle which moves faster than how the fabric.
• Clean the bobbin case when you use a new bobbin and clean the needle area frequently as it builds up lint. 
• When free motion quilting on my DSM changing the bobbin was tedious because I had to remove the fabric completely to get to the bobbin.  Now changing the bobbin is easy since the bobbin is located below the table.
• One criticism...I notice the quilt sandwich made with warm and natural,  fits under the foot but if I have a high loft batting I think I might have some trouble getting it under the foot. 

Overall, using the Handi Quilter versus free motion quilting on my DSM was faster, easier, more comfortable, and convenient...  

How I prepared my quilts for quilting on the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen

Hi, I would like to tell you how I prepared my quilts for quilting on my new Sweet Sixteen sit-down system. First I went to Joann's and purchased several clearance fabrics.  Then I pre-washed them following the instructions on the Leah Day website,  http://www.daystyledesigns.com/howtoprewashfabric.htm  
There are those who believe you should prewash all fabrics and those who feel you don't have to prewash.  I have done both and since prewashing using the above method I think I prefer to do this if I can.  The fabrics smell fresh and the starching makes them crisp.

After prewashing I then made several quilt sandwiches using different basting methods.  
1.  I used a hand basting method by Sharon Schamber, her video is on youtube.  
2.  Another method I used was spray basting.
3.  I also used the popular pin basting method. 
As I sew through these quilts I will give my opinions of using these three methods. 

MY HANDI QUILTER...:)

Yesterday was the big day...Richard from Quilter's Cocoon, Riverside came to my home and set up my sit-down quilting machine.  He sat with me and explained everything about the machine in detail.  He had me practice on a quilt sandwich to find my ideal quilting speed.  What great service!  I can see why he  just won the customer service award for the entire area.  


Here's the picture of my new toy...

In anticipation of getting my sweet sixteen I have prepared several projects ready to be quilted.  Do you notice the deep 16" of throat space?  It has lots of lighting, lots of space for quilting.  I'll post again as I use this ....Rose

Black & White Quilt

This is the front and back of the 3rd quilt I've ever made.  I made for my daughter, Alexis.  I purchased black/white fat quarters from various quilt stores on the 2009 Quilt Run.  I didn't start it for a while (kinda intimidated, but my sewing teacher, Georgianne Beebe, always says, "no guts, no glory" which inspired me to start it.  I finished it Xmas 2010.  :)  It's a combination of Paper piecing and blocks from  Electric Quilt, Electric Quilt is a quilting software program.  The blocks were put together using a "reversible technique" and the quilting was done on my DSM domestic sewing machine.  It measures 108" X 88"!! There is one block on the back - a special gift of dalmations from my sewing sister - Christine.  She wanted to honor Alexis' dad's occupation, firefighter.  She searched for a year for this fabric for Alexis's quilt good timing since it took me that long to start it.  It has 21 blocks to honor Alexis turning 21 this in 2010.  It also has blocks to represent sewing for her mom, a white rabbit which died in 2010, soccer, music, and other facets of her life.  I hope you like this...

What this blog is about..

Welcome, thanks for stopping by!  This is my very first blog entry…

I plan to post information about sewing.  I love to sew…I’m always thinking about the sewing projects I am working on…I sew almost every day… I can’t sew every day because I have to do things like housework, laundry, pay bills, blah, blah, blah. 

I plan to post information about my sewing life.  I will also tell you about sewing with kids.  I have a monthly sewing class I teach.  It started with my nieces and nephew, Victoria, Julianna and Diego.  Today we have about 6-12 family members sewing.  It sure is fun.  I will let you know what we’re working on and post some pictures of my beautiful family. I will also include photos of my past projects and let you know what I am working on. 

I live in Temecula and I go to a stimulating sewing class every Tuesday, (Tuesday is heirloom sewing, more about this later).  I also attend a group in De Luz called the “We’re in Stitches group.”  They are a wonderful group of ladies.

My DH, darling husband just bought me a longarm sit-down quilting machine!  I am so excited! It is a Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen.  I have learned there are two parts in making a quilt...the construction (piecing) of it and the quilting (putting the 3 layers, a quilt sandwich, together, the top, the batting and the backing.) My Handi Quilter is a specialized machine that will do the quilting.  You sew the quilt on this machine using your hands to move the quilt to the needle.  It will be a challenge to master this machine, I will inform you of my journey.  I will be getting my machine set up tomorrow, that's my next blog.

That’s about all for now,  stay tuned to my blog…I have lots of exciting things to tell you…Sew long…Rose Valdillez.