Loopies !

Well, I have had my long arm machine sitting and staring at me as I watch instruction videos, and practicing on a white board (which I totally stink at ) and I decide, tonight is the night. I am going to just do this.

I have had the backing of the quilt loaded for at least 3 weeks, and the top is just floating on the batting, and I think… I can do this, it is just a practice baby quilt.
I review the steps I have written - check the oil, rethread my machine, make sure the tension is right in the case. Okay all the mechanics are in good working order.
I then slowly stitched the top of the quilt to the batting and the backing. Well, that went well I thought. The tension of the bobbin thread looks and feels good.

I then lay out my pantograph. Yikes ! It looks too easy. Remember, I say to myself, where the laser light beam is will be where your needle is.

I trace around the pattern from top to bottom to make sure that I will not run out of room, and line up my guides on the sides so I know where the quilt top ends.

Okay everything looking good, I think I can start. I sew down each side of the quilt to make sure no lifts and puckers on the sides. I clamp the backing and the batting. I am ready.
I jump in I am off and stitching like a crazy quilter. Wow, what is that noise? Now mind you this is the first time I ran the machine since the tune up in the shop. It just sounds louder than normal. I stop to review, what - it looks pretty good, then I go reach underneath to feel the bobbin stitches and all I feel are loopies!

What ???????? Oh no !! My presser foot was up.
I was so excited and thought it would be great to get one full pass on the quilt, and now I had 2 hours to rip out what only took a total of 10minutes to put in. It was a long night.

I have learned a very valuable lesson here, and one I hope to never forget again. If I decide to quilt, I am going to “put my foot down “and demand myself to do it.
I will let you know how it comes out.
　
Megen

Keeping Me In Stitches

Welcome to Surrounded by Stitches!

I was trying to think of a name for this blog, and a familiar comment from my husband K came to mind. In my studio I have my three machines surrounding me. My standard sewing machine, which is a Janome 6600, my embroidery machine, a Janome 350E, and my new Tin Lizzie 18. So you could say I am surrounded by stitches.

When I joined the Tin Lizzie chat room, I knew there had to be other newbie long arm quilters much like myself in my hometown of Kansas City. It is so much fun to communicate with others from other states, but there is something about sharing and asking for help from local people. Perhaps one day even have get togethers and share horror stories or victories. Much to my delight I have talked with 4 others in the area !!!

I am hoping to be able to share photos of my studio, quilts and share in the obsession which has held me at bay for 4 years.

I look forward to hearing from anyone out there in for comments, advise, or stories.
Come on Quilters, gather round and let me hear from you.