Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Dual Learning Curves

I had such a wonderful time the past few days visiting my best friend Kate, who lives up in New Hampshire. I was hoping for cooler weather, but it was screaming hot. Luckily for us, her dear, sweet hubby bought an air-conditioner for the sewing room.

Did I mention, Kate got the same machine as I did??!!  I brought it up to her and brought mine along too. We had a grand time sewing together.

One of Kate's WIPs, same as my QAYGFMQQAL

Kate was having a bit of a problem joining the blocks. I showed her the method I use, and voila, it worked.

This is one of the quilts Kate is working on for a wedding present. Pretty!

But don't worry, I worked on my wonky/improv. quilt. I have to say, I'm REALLY bad at stitching these big, long lines. I know, I know, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!!

Stitching the fillers is MUCH easier. A little paisley and loop-de-loop.

Sharp stippling.
It has been an interesting learning curve with my new machine. I really love it so far, FMQ in the sensormatic setting is pretty wonderful, because the foot doesn't hop, so the quilt sandwich just glides.

One of the things that they showed me in the basic training for my new Pfaff, was how to test and adjust the bobbin tension, I've never done that on my Babylock. The setting between cotton thread and polyester (Isacord) thread was quite different.  So my question for Leah this week is: Is is normal/typical to set the bobbin tension for each type of thread? Do you piece with cotton and FMQ with Isacord? Would that mean I would have to change the bobbin tension back and forth?

My stats are:

In-process: (8)
Wonky/Improve QAL quilt -  (Continue to quilt)
Purple heart wall hanging ( needs borders, backing, quilting and binding)
Expanding Possibilities quilt (Continue to quilt)
Storybook quilt # 2 - All embroidery is done
Quokka Quilts QAYGFMQQAL quilt (All 30 blocks are quilted, need to join and bind)
Geneva Public Library quilt - join and quilt (maybe make a block or two to even it out)
Sew Cal Gal's March FMQ Challenge - Need to bind.
Sew Cal Gal's April FMQ Challenge - Need to make into a pillow.
Sew Cal Gal's May FMQ Challenge - Need to make into a pillow
Sew Cal Gal June FMQ Challenge - Need to bind.

New projects: (0)

Finished (0)


I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday and The Free Motion Quilting Project for QAL Wednesday


WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced
Free Motion Quilt Along

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

13 comments:

  1. I have two Pfaffs, the newer one has the drop-in bobbin. I was never shown how to adjust the tension on this machine--my Pfaff dealer is not that personable or friendly, and he doesn't do sewing or quilting classes at his store--just sells & services the machines. I tend to use Aurifil 50 in the bobbin for everything because it works so well, and have tried Isacord in the bobbin but it caused problems. Now I'm thinking I should take the machine to another Pfaff dealer and ask them, thanks for mentioning this in your post.

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  2. Oh yes, the long lines. I commented on that one about 2 weeks ago, and yes, you're right; practise practise and practise and than some more. Good luck with you're new Pfaff.

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  3. Glad you had a great time. I love paisley quilting, one of these days I am going to get up the courage to stitch it on something bigger than a cushion :)

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  4. What a nice looking space to work in. I think my space is somewhat cramped (of course it could be the stash that takes up so much space!)

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  5. There is nothing like sewing with a buddy. The wedding present is is pretty!

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  6. I like the sensomatic FMQ the best too. I piece with Connecting threads cotton and FMQ with Isacord. I have never had to change the default tension setting for either function. Did have trouble FMQ with the cotton though. what are you and Katie finding out?

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  7. What fun getting to quilt together!!! I really love the wedding quilt your friend is making. I wonder what this quilt is called or where I could learn to make one similar. Very Celtic in my opinion. Beautiful!!

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  8. Sounds like a blast! I would love to have a personal quilting retreat with a friend. :)

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  9. Re the bobbin tension. I have the same machine but do not touch the bobbin tension for FMQ. I change my needles according to the thread I use, i.e if I use Aurifil 50/2 I use a 70/10 sharp needle. With Cotton 50/3 I use a 80/12 needle. I find this machine much more sensitive than the older model Pfaff that I used to have.

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  10. I can't begin to tell you how well you explained the concept of QAYG to me. Nothing like having a best friend who can really teach you as well. It was a fabulous weekend. Can't wait to see you in September.

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  11. What fun to sew with a good friend!! Love your sharp stipling.

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  12. Your quilting is so nice! I want to try the QAYG method one day! Thanks for linking up to WIP Wednesday!

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