Juki

I've decided that I like to piece. I don't like the quilting piece--hand quilting I like but don't have time for.

So, I'm going to piece and "send out" for quilting on big quilts.

I don't have a need to be an expert on all things quilty.

Lenore

I am with you on the free motion thing. I don't particularly care for the look of free motion quilting. If other people do, so be it, but it just isn't the look I care for. I do, on the other hand like the traditional small pieced quilts with stitch in the ditch anchoring that doesn't have any stitching on the pattern other than in the ditch. I had a Bernina with a stitch regulator for a couple of years and just felt that It wasn't worth my time to fight it and learn to do something that I don't really care for, so I sold it. I do have a Janome 1600, which is similar to the Juki,98 and I use it for quilting my larger quilts, in the ditch, and otherwise it stays in the cabinet. I can appreciate hand quilting but I can not do it myself. I also don't want to take up a lot of space with a large quilting frame, to accomplish it. I know you can use a hoop and do it that way, which might be doable for me, but I am so happy with my machine piecing and quilting, that I have not felt the desire to explore that element of quilting, maybe someday. I think there is a type of quilting that works for every person and they are not all similar. Some people like to piece only and send out their quilts to a longarm or hand stitcher. Others, believe in doing everything themselves. There really isn't any right or wrong decision, in my mind, and if it rings your bell then I say good on you. Go for it.

John

There is so much you can do with the feed dogs up. It is only in the last couple of years that I have got anywhere at all with FM quilting - and then only with the larger harp machine. I did what John does - just stitch in the ditch (where there is a definite skill in getting it right - enough to give you satisfaction), or other simple straight line patterns. It is fun working out how to make continuous line patterns from shapes. I have often used piecing patterns to provide me with quilting designs. I am a dab hand at flying geese and square in a square continuous quilting. Yes, it is a bit of a nuisance having to turn it when needed, but I still found that easier. I now have a small repertoire of FM quilting, and I stick to what I can do. I can't stipple, so I don't make myself try anymore. I can live without setting myself up for failure >gg< I have developed and practised other filler designs. I could give anyone a run for their money with 'pebbles' or 'stone walls' >g<

Have fun with the Juki. I've heard it is excellent. . In message , teleflora writes

Stippling. That's why I want to FM. I adore stippling. Oh, and feathers. That's all I want to do. If I could master those two things, I'd be happy.

Cindy

You can master them Cindy. I think all ( or at least most) of the big companies have larger harp SS machines that will fit your needs. I have a BRother 1500 and the Janome 6600 too. The Brother is pretty much the same machine as the Juki TL98 and has sewn many miles of quilts. Several of the local gals got the Juki at the same time I got the Brother. Both models have served pretty well. You need to head out and test drive. I enjoy piecing on the 1500 too. It is just a nice machine to use. I doubt you could go wrong with many of the SS machines. Just be sure to check what they do. I think the Janome has several very similar models that have different features. I got my Brother from these folks:

Let us know what you get and how you enjoy it. BTW, was the pool worth it? I find in August mine seems like it was a great idea and most of the rest of the year I am not so sure. LOL Taria

I'm in Kansas, so I'm in worse shape than you in California, I would think. The first year, it seems like we had much warmer weather and I was in it a lot. I am one of those people who has to ease my way in. No just jumping in from the side like DD and her friends, so I pretty much want that water to be at least 85 degrees. We had a huge tree go down to the east of the pool, so I'm thinking maybe with more morning sun, it should warm up faster. I also think a solar cover will help. The pool is only 12 X 24, so I can manage a cover.

Last year, I bet I didn't get in 6 times.

But I enjoy looking at it and I enjoyed every morning going out and checking the skimmer (carefully- don't want no nasty surprises) and using the leaf skimmer. It is relaxing to me. The chlorine generator is so much easier after you get the salt mixed in. Really low maintenance, nothing like my best friend had to do with her older pool.

I really liked it in the evening and late at night. So quiet and the lights change color and it's nice and really cools you off before bed.

Would I do it again... I don't know, I thought DD and her friends would use it more than they do. I should have done it 10 years ago.

We're talking about moving to some land we bought. I don't know if I'll put in another one or not.

The dogs really like it. They use it more than us. DH has been in it once. In 2 years. The dogs could retrieve balls all day long if someone would throw them.

Cindy

Cindy, what kind of Juki? That is one of the machines I've been considering for free motion quilting. I love those fast, single stitch machines. Wow the things that are possible. I bet you fall in love with your friend's Juki. We don't have a Juki dealer anywhere near, so I really want to hear how you like it.

Sunny

Hazel's is a Juki TL 98Q. She has a stitch regulator. Huh! It has a knee lift. I've never used one before. I think I'm going to leave it set up on my DR table. We won't use the table until Easter. That way I can sit and sew when I get a notion and not have to put it up.

She brought it to me unthreaded and without the bobbin in. She said this would be how I would get one when and if I ordered it. She wants me to be able to see how to do things from the very beginning.

She said she got hers from a place in Utah and "the man" was very nice and helpful.

I'll let you all know more tomorrow.

Cindy

I have a Juki 98, which I drove 100 miles to purchase, and I've never regretted it. I later bought the Handi Quilter II frame, and a stitch regulator, and I do all my own quilting on that frame with the Juki. I really like the look of all over free motion quilting, and will frequently do looping with a design thrown in every so often, especially leaves or hearts or something like that. The majority of my quilting is meandering (large stippling) or the loops. I detest stitch in the ditch for the most part, as I really like the way the meandering/looping looks after washed and dried.

Anyway, the Juki is a power house for what it does, and I prefer it over any other machine I've ever used (I have a finicky Viking I use for anything other than straight stitch or quilting). I oil it every day I use it, which just takes a few seconds, and it has not given me a bit of trouble in the two years I've had it.

Even with my Juki, however, the quilting part is my least favorite part of making a quilt. If I could afford to send all my quilt tops out for a professional to do I would be first in line!

Trixie

Thanks, Trixie. I can't see it ever being my favorite part of quilting either, but I sure would like to be able to do some simple stuff. I just can't seem to get that rhythm between moving my hands and the speed of the machine. I have no rhythm. Seriously, I never could dance, they took the triangle away from me in first grade rhythm band. I can sing but I couldn't play piano without a metronome.

I had fun with the Juki tonight. My shoulders ached after about 1/2 hour. Maybe I should drink wine while I'm practicing so I can relax.

I had a friend order a book for me. It give practice lessons in FM quilting. I have several great machine quilting books, but this one says, ok do this for 15 minutes today and do this other thing for 15 minutes tomorrow.

Rigid lessons is what I respond to.

Cindy

I am so glad someone finally said this. I was beginning to think I am the only one who does not like the look of FM quilting. I ever did. Like John, all the quilting I do is stitch in the ditch, and usually the minimum amount I can get away with. And I like that just fine. Enough to hold the sandwich together and give a little bit of relieve. To each his/her own. I find FM looks artificial. So, when I have to wrestle with big projects, as hand quilting is not my thing, I generally search for ways to quilt in sections. Like a block at a time and then joingin the sections. But whatever the way, I have come to the conclusion that I love the piecing part of patchwork, but generally do not like the quilting part.

Claudia

I have the Juki T98..I love it..great for piecing and also quilting. I got it to use on the handi quilter frame, although I have used it more off the track.I also do not FM well enough to suit me, have signed up for a FM class that maybe beyond me so have been practicing.:) discovered I dont do too bad lol. I am not a doodler and cannot draw stick people..it is definately a drawback so have to get good at stippling..feathers etc. mainly following a pattern. Do wish I was a free style drawing person..All I can say is the Juki is a good machine and is very capable of doing what you want it to..just have to practice a lot to get comfortable with FM. I also have a Janome..I definately FM better with the Juki..why I dont know. Have fun and if it dosent work out for you send them to be quilted.. lyn

I also bought my Juki from Utah! It is wonderful having the larger harp, and it is easy to get a balanced stitch with any thread that I have tried. DH built me a sewing table so that my machine is flush with the table top. This has made a terrific improvement in my machine quilting. Since we spend the winters in Florida, he also did some surgery on my folding table, cutting the top and making a box which attaches under the table. He even drilled a large hole so the knee lift can be used. I don't have a stitch regulator, nor do I use a frame. For those who don't like the look of machine quilting, I agree that many quilts are quilted without regard for the pattern of the top! I know that the cost of machine quilting with a pro quilter depends on the type of quilting. Many people take the pantograph option, as it is usually the lowest cost, but I have seen some beautiful pieced and appliquéd quilts ruined by the quilting. I am also not a fan of the quilts that are almost solid thread. I realize that there is a wonderful design talent being displayed, but when the quilt is so stiff with thread, it just doesn't appeal to me. I like some loft to my quilts. Enjoy the Juki - I do almost all my quilting on mine, saving my Pfaff for piecing and specialty stitches!

I love the way the quilt crinkles up when it's washed after being meandered all over. I can't get that look from SITD quilting.

And besides, SITD is hard too! It's not easy keeping those lines straight. I have a foot for my machine that is SUPPOSED to make it easier, but I still wander.

Cindy

Here's the thing> I keep seeing these simple quilts and I want to make them. And then I realize what made the quilt so appealing to me was the quilting!

The almost trapunto effect you can get from quilting. The dimension it brings to the design.

I am just going to play until my lesson book gets here.

And I don't know if to start with the stitch regulator on or off. I read (probably on here) that if you learn with the regulator on, you will have a had time ever doing it with the regulator off.

Cindy > still ambivalent

I love this thread - it demonstrates that we all have different opinions about what we like a finished quilt to look like, and what we enjoy about quilting!

Many times when I get photos of finished quilts from one of my quilting buddies, I think, "well, I wouldn't have picked THAT color....". THAT's why we make them, so they can be JUST the way they want them!

I'm in the LOVE FMQ crowd. I find it relaxing to meander. I got a Janome 6600P with the wide harp last year, and found that I quilted the daylights out of the first quilt I FMQ'd on it - I had to teach myself to back off a little bit, the Janome makes it too easy to get fine, close stitching.

MSM HATED the quilting part. She'd sew straight lines at the major seams, bind it, and call it good.

If I could "outsource" a step, it would be basting.... but I think that's universal, if there's anyone here who LIKES basting, they should hire themselves out!

Quoting Tina-

I'm in the LOVE FMQ crowd. I find it relaxing to meander. I got a Janome 6600P with the wide harp last year, and found that I quilted the daylights out of the first quilt I FMQ'd on it - I had to teach myself to back off a little bit, the Janome makes it too easy to get fine, close stitching.

Tina, I did *exactly* the same thing! "My Hippy Horse-pital Quilt" that I made to commemorate my (second) hip replacement is a solid mass of fine quilting. I tried almost every pattern I could find in my three fave MQing books. Yay for the 6600!

Quoting Tina-

I'm in the LOVE FMQ crowd. I find it relaxing to meander. Me too, oh my yes, me too. If someone decided that the only way to quilt was in the ditch, I'd let the movers come haul everything out of my sewing room and learn to peel potatoes or something equally boring. I like to pretend I'm an overweight bumble bee on a warm spring day, swooping and wandering around. Sometimes I draw bare feet or hearts; maybe no surprises at all for a long time. I write little messages too. They're not 'in your face' obvious but there are secrets hidden in my free motion journeys. There's something I noticed in this thread and that's that Cindy has the Juki on the dining room table and her shoulders ache. I'll bet she could do better if she could find a more comfortable setup. IMHO, of course. Polly

Boy, Leslie, you did quilt the daylights out of that puppy, didn't you! I love it, I love all of the "bubbles", and the feathers and the swirls.