Practicing

[Pandabear]

I finally did. I told myself no more excuses and being a big baby. I loaded some muslin onto my frame and got to practicing.

First I was trying loops and leaves and what not. Not so good. Finally I just went with the basics - meandering. I don't think it's half bad. I know my movements are still a bit jerky instead of curvy and flowing. I'll need more practice before I try a quilt but I feel I'm making progress.



Things I learned rather quickly:
Put the speed higher rather than lower. Flows better that way.
Have more than one bobbin loaded and ready. The machine is heavy and I don't want to take it off the frame. Good thing I have a strong boy home from school in a couple hours
Put the presser foot down!! I made a pass and wondered why my stitches looked funny. Heh...lever was up.

The one problem I haven't figured out yet is why the machine unthreads when I cut it. This machine doesn't have an automatic needle threader - the contraption it does have is annoying - and I have to get that thread through the teeny tiny needle eye manually.

[DramaMama]

Great job! Hope you continue to ENJOY!

[traildancer]

I think it looks good. Keep up the good work.

[Carlie Wolf]

After meander and stippling I tried "e" loops. I found they helped me with getting use to curves. Mine had been very jerky :-)

[Pandabear]

After meander and stippling I tried "e" loops. I found they helped me with getting use to curves. Mine had been very jerky :-)

Ohh I forgot about the e's. Thanks for the reminder!! I'll try those next.

[stitchwishes]

Looks like you're really enjoying it!

There is a needle threader that looks kind of like a pen, I wonder if that would work for you. It punches your thread through the needle. I can't remember the brand, but it should be easy to search for. I've thought of getting it for my sewing machine, it looks easier than the inbuilt needle threader.

[ilive2craft2]

Looking good! The first and only one I am comfortable with is a loopy hearts. I practice drawing on a white board to get some of that muscle memory going. The more you use the machine, the more comfortable you will get and things will start to flow.

[quiltingtrish]

Yay! I'm so glad you decided to give it a go! Bet you didn't beat my record though for being a baby - my frame sat for almost 2 years before I got brave enough to make some leaders and try it. (Of course for a little over a year, I could not try it because my room wasn't done and there was no place to put it.) Did you check underneath to see how your stitching is? I hope all is well there too. I think your quilting looks great.

[KPH]

You've inspired me. I had a set of sheets that had seen much better days. Key word- had. Cut them up so I have a box full of practice squares for fmq or embroidery.