Machine quilting is killer

[Sunnyok]

Machine quilting on a domestic machine is killer on the shoulders LOL
This is my "French Roses" quilt 1/2 done.

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

Make sure you relax your shoulders. Don't sew for long periods of time without taking breaks. Get up and stretch your upper back muscles. Make sure you've got good support with your chair.

[debinmalaga]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

Sunnyok, I have to keep telling myself to drop my shoulders! Your quilt is beautiful!

[Sunnyok]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

I think my new sewing table my hubby made me might be a couple of inches to tall. Might have to get a taller office chair.

[bakermom]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

I feel your pain! I'm determined to master FMQ so I've been doing a lot of it. I did lower my sewing table a bit which helps me but I still have to remind myself to RELAX.

[Sunnyok]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

Relaxing is a good thing, everytime I think I can't stand the pain in my shoulders anymore, I realize I have them all tensed up and have to lower them again LOL

[Patrice]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

its beautiful..im thinking my sewing table is to tall too that hubby made me..i have a king size in three sections i want to do for my sons wedding present..I just can't bring myself to start it on the machine. Im thinking oh just put it all together and take it and have it done on a long arm..but then I think will it be just as special because I didn't quilt it..what should I do???

[Sunnyok]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

I would take it to a long arm quilter. I've done a kingsize on my machine and it was killer trying to manouver so much fabric thru the machine. This one I'm FMQ just beacuse it would be a custom quilting and way to expensive to have it done.. You can't run over the flowers or they don't frey properly. I love FMQ but on smaller projects, and I'm not much for hand quilting. I think it looks great but I like instant gratification. I don't think your quilt for your son would be any less special if you had it professionaly done.

[Sunnyok]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

Re: Machine quilting is killer
I would take it to a long arm quilter. I've done a kingsize on my machine and it was killer trying to manouver so much fabric thru the machine. This one I'm FMQ just beacuse it would be a custom quilting and way to expensive to have it done.. You can't run over the flowers or they don't frey properly. I love FMQ but on smaller projects, and I'm not much for hand quilting. I think it looks great but I like instant gratification. I don't think your quilt for your son would be any less special if you had it professionaly done.

[MaryB]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

Beautiful quilt Sunny. I think whatever you decide, it will still be very special.

A few years back, I think it might have been on Simply Quilts, I saw a relax-at-the-machine method that I use all the time. Its called Yes..No..Maybe and you do it about every twenty minutes. Simply nod your head up and down slowly a couple of times as far as it will go, in the 'Yes' gesture, then turn from side to side as far as it will go in the 'No' gesture, then shrug your shoulders as high as they will go in the 'Maybe' gesture. It really works.

Mary B.

[Sunnyok]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

Beautiful quilt Sunny. I think whatever you decide, it will still be very special.

A few years back, I think it might have been on Simply Quilts, I saw a relax-at-the-machine method that I use all the time. Its called Yes..No..Maybe and you do it about every twenty minutes. Simply nod your head up and down slowly a couple of times as far as it will go, in the 'Yes' gesture, then turn from side to side as far as it will go in the 'No' gesture, then shrug your shoulders as high as they will go in the 'Maybe' gesture. It really works.

Mary B.

Sounds like a great idea! I'm going to try that!

[Freda]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

Machine quilting on a domestic machine is killer on the shoulders LOL
This is my "French Roses" quilt 1/2 done.

I have that pattern (not made yet) and love the colors you've chosen... very nice!

[sassyquilter]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

That's why I like to hand quilt, I can do it in my recliner but it does take forever. You should get an award for that size of a quilt. Great job though

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

I just listened to a speaker at my Guild tonight and she does everything by machine. She said to get 2 rubber door stoppers from the dollar store and put them under the back of your machine so the machine tilts up a little. She also puts one on the right side of her machine and said that she doesn't get hurt shoulders anymore. I think I'm going to try that tip myself. Have to make a trip to the dollar store.

Hugs,

[CherylR]

Re: Machine quilting is killer

I learned something at a meeting for expats i was at today. Try to touch your ears with your shoulders and hold that strech until it almost hurts and release. All I could think about during this meeting (it was about stress and the drug cartel violence here) was this could really work while I am sewing. My shoulders get really tight. I think I need to go to the dollar store next time we are home and get some of the door stops also.