Gadgets
I’m still practicing free-motion quilting and I am getting a bit better. I read somewhere that you need 100 hours of practice before you are competent. I have a long way to go.
I’ve watched many free-motion videos online. Leah Day has over 100 short videos on her blog. Her goal is to present 365 designs in a year. It is really fun to watch her videos. I like the beginner ones.
Now I am thinking that I might need some gadgets to improve my free-motion work. I’ve seen two Teflon “slip-slide” things to put on the bed of the sewing machine. They are supposed to make the fabric glide easily. I think the bed of my old machine may have some minor rough spots which cause little jerks while I slide the quilt sandwich around. One of the gadgets is called Supreme Slider (click on the picture below for more information).
The other one is named Sewslip (click on the picture below for more information).
The Supreme Slider is 8½ by 11 inches and the Sewslip is 12 by 18 inches.
There is another gizmo called Quilt Halo by Sharon Schamber. It is a weighted ring coated with some sort of sticky substance. The ring is used as a sort of steering wheel to move the fabric around under the needle (click on the picture below for more information).
I think it is typical that beginners want all sorts of fancy tools to improve their “game.” I am tempted to get some gadgets but I don’t expect a miracle.
I’ve watched many free-motion videos online. Leah Day has over 100 short videos on her blog. Her goal is to present 365 designs in a year. It is really fun to watch her videos. I like the beginner ones.
Now I am thinking that I might need some gadgets to improve my free-motion work. I’ve seen two Teflon “slip-slide” things to put on the bed of the sewing machine. They are supposed to make the fabric glide easily. I think the bed of my old machine may have some minor rough spots which cause little jerks while I slide the quilt sandwich around. One of the gadgets is called Supreme Slider (click on the picture below for more information).
The other one is named Sewslip (click on the picture below for more information). The Supreme Slider is 8½ by 11 inches and the Sewslip is 12 by 18 inches.There is another gizmo called Quilt Halo by Sharon Schamber. It is a weighted ring coated with some sort of sticky substance. The ring is used as a sort of steering wheel to move the fabric around under the needle (click on the picture below for more information).
I think it is typical that beginners want all sorts of fancy tools to improve their “game.” I am tempted to get some gadgets but I don’t expect a miracle.
posted by Christine Thresh at 12:49 PM
6 Comments:
Don't you just love gadgets? My latest on is a winder for embroidery floss - clever little thing.
I bought the halos but failed to realize I needed a flat surface (my machine isn't in a cabinet!). Just bought a portable table for it, so we're anxious to try it out. The problem I see with the halo is the area where you can quilt is only so big before you have to shift the halo. Doesn't seem to slow Sharon down tho!
Like Big Bird always says...practice practice practice....I think that is what is really needed to get good at free motion. Me? I gave up after about 12 seconds!
I went & bought the foot, and left my name & number to sign for classes.... I think she must have changed her mind, as 6 months later, I am still waiting..
I have been so tempted with all those gadgets! I still may... Please let us know what you think of them ir you do splurge.
So it's harder than it looks, is it? Pity!
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