December 29, 2013

Free Motion Practice

Thank you so much for your opinions about the Juki TL2010Q and other machines.  If you are a "no-reply" blogger, I don't have your e-mail address, but want to thank you for your recommendation or opinions.  I did in fact buy the Juki.  I ordered it from Sewing Machines Plus. 

I finally had some time to play with it this weekend, trying out different threads and practicing free-motion quilting without a stitch regulator.  It's like learning to ride a bike without training wheels all over again, but with a little practice, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.  I won't go into detail about the machine's features since there are lots of reviews already, but if you have any questions or need to be pointed in the direction of the reviews I've read, just let me know.  I will say that I LOVE this machine.  The tension is wonderful, and it handles any brand and weight of thread I've tried so far. 

I had an issue with the quilting feet that was easily resolved.  I love that the free-motion quilting feet are heavy and sturdy, but they rest a little low and don't "float" over the quilt.  I was having to work too hard to push and pull the quilt sandwich through the machine.  Leah Day is a courageous woman who fearlessly modifies her free-motion feet.  It makes perfect sense, but I'm afraid I would mutilate them and have to buy more.  Then I found this post by Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.  I wedged in a few tiny pieces of cardboard and they work perfectly. 

Here are photos of my practice doodling.  Yeah, I got a little impatient and didn't press the fabric or baste the layers.  I'm thrilled that there are no knots and tension issues.  I think I'll be very happy with this machine. 





Thanks so much for visiting.  I hope you have a fabulous 2014!

Kim

20 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 29, 2013

    LOVE YOUR QUILTING!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KarenDecember 29, 2013

    You could do this with your eyes closed :)!! It looks wonderful. Glad to see you playing again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. CathyDecember 29, 2013

    Your quilting looks wonderful! The stitches are so even. I'll hve to remember the Juki!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CarolDecember 29, 2013

    Your quilting is amazing! I get so frustrated with my Janome, it has feed dog issues. I was thinking of a Viking but now I'm thinking the Juki 2010Q might be just what I need.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sandie @ crazy'boutquiltsDecember 29, 2013

    OMGosh! Your quilting is gorgeous!! I don't think you need practice. LOL Have a wonderful new year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ThimbleannaDecember 29, 2013

    Holy Cow Kim -- what on earth would you need a stitch regulator for? Your quilting is amazing. WOW!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. QuiltSueDecember 30, 2013

    Woww!!!! Kim your "practice" pieces look perfect to me. I am totally in awe of your skill.

    ReplyDelete
  8. suemacDecember 30, 2013

    When I tried out the Juki that was my main complaint with the hopping foot. It was a struggle to get the fabric to move under the foot. This seems to be a less destructive way to modify the foot.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Abby and StephanieDecember 30, 2013

    Holy Smokes -- that's practice! It's amazing. Your feathers are so pretty. Have fun -- obviously you already are. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. a good yarnDecember 30, 2013

    Kim, I have a couple of quilt tops for you to practice on if this is the quality of your practice pieces. When would you like to me to send them over?

    ReplyDelete
  11. FlourishingPalmsDecember 30, 2013

    Your quilting is absolutely gorgeous, Kim! It's apparent you've been quilting for quite a while, and I'm sure that the extra throat space in your Juki is making it easier to do too. Keep up the marvelous work! You're inspiring me to keep plugging on my Riley Blake Challenge quilt which needs to see a finish by next week to meet our MQG chapter deadline. Keep having fun with your Juki, and have a blessed 2014!

    ReplyDelete
  12. JeannaDecember 30, 2013

    Beautiful practice work Kim. Congratulations on your new Juki. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  13. BeckyDecember 31, 2013

    Your quilting looks great! The Juki sounds like a good machine. I think it's interesting that I have a Bernina 440QE that I LOVE for machine quilting. I haven't had any problems w/tension on mine, but I do know it is a bit of a thread snob--the best quality threads only. Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. KarmenDecember 31, 2013

    Wow; just wow. Juki huh. Wow.

    ReplyDelete
  15. MicheleJanuary 01, 2014

    You quilting is amazing! I also have a 440 that I love and I have another machine that I'm having an argument with right now. It's in the shop. So I'm very interested in how your new machine works out. Congratulations on taking the plunge :-) Is there somewhere near you where you can get it serviced? We don't have a juki dealer in this area and I've been wondering about that.

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownJanuary 02, 2014

    looks beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. LoriJanuary 02, 2014

    Great tip by Amanda! Thanks for the heads up.
    Your quilting is lovely!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Linda ChristiansonJanuary 10, 2014

    Beautiful work. I need to practice more.

    ReplyDelete
  19. KatBJanuary 13, 2014

    Love your quilting! This may be my next machine.

    ReplyDelete
  20. MaxineJanuary 13, 2014

    Your quilting is amazing. And the stiches are so even. I may have to look this machine up

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for visiting!