Can't Machine Quilt...Why Does Machine Skip?

[speckledhen]

Good job speckledhen!! I've never tried prairie point either, but I do love the look! Very nice!

Thank you! I appreciate all the encouragement you've given me, you and all the other super helpful folks.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Thank you! I appreciate all the encouragement you've given me, you and all the other super helpful folks.

your welcome! You all inspire me!

 

[speckledhen]

I'm about ready to throw in the towel and spend the $500 I've already saved on a new camera instead of a new machine. I'm not seeing much further improvement in my technique and I don't want to take a chance on buying a machine, thinking my own little Brother with its 5.5" harp space is cramping my style, only to find out I have no style! I'm about ready to go back to hand quilting, painful as it is, though I don't see me doing much more quilting of anything larger than a place mat that way. Sigh.

Here is the wall hanging I am currently attempting to machine quilt. The throat space on this machine is so limited, it's making me crazy. Visibility is almost nil, can't see where I'm going, can't force the piece through and at the same time, see my path and control the stitches. Being the perfectionist I am, recovering as I try to be, I am not thrilled with the results. It's not horrible, but it's not great, either.

 

[OHhappychicks]

I'm about ready to throw in the towel and spend the $500 I've already saved on a new camera instead of a new machine. I'm not seeing much further improvement in my technique and I don't want to take a chance on buying a machine, thinking my own little Brother with its 5.5" harp space is cramping my style, only to find out I have no style! I'm about ready to go back to hand quilting, painful as it is, though I don't see me doing much more quilting of anything larger than a place mat that way. Sigh.

Here is the wall hanging I am currently attempting to machine quilt. The throat space on this machine is so limited, it's making me crazy. Visibility is almost nil, can't see where I'm going, can't force the piece through and at the same time, see my path and control the stitches. Being the perfectionist I am, recovering as I try to be, I am not thrilled with the results. It's not horrible, but it's not great, either.

I'm so sorry your getting discouraged! I think you do such a wonderful job! But I know about the frustration of a machine your are not happy with! I wish I could help you! I don't think I've told you, but I put a Janome skyline s5 machine on lay-a-way this week. I paid a lot more than I wanted to, but it is such a good machine! I'm going to the quilt shop tomorrow to work on ufo's, and I will get to use one. She had just gotten 2 of them in. She left mine in the box, and I'm going to get to use the one she is going to use for her store model. Tell me again what you are looking for and I will ask her what she thinks, and if she might know where there might be one. I know there is a sewing machine repair shop in the same town. Maybe I can call there to see if he might have something. Don't give up! I will pray and ask the Lord to give you what you desire! He is able!

 

[speckledhen]

I'm so sorry your getting discouraged! I think you do such a wonderful job! But I know about the frustration of a machine your are not happy with! I wish I could help you! I don't think I've told you, but I put a Janome skyline s5 machine on lay-a-way this week. I paid a lot more than I wanted to, but it is such a good machine! I'm going to the quilt shop tomorrow to work on ufo's, and I will get to use one. She had just gotten 2 of them in. She left mine in the box, and I'm going to get to use the one she is going to use for her store model. Tell me again what you are looking for and I will ask her what she thinks, and if she might know where there might be one. I know there is a sewing machine repair shop in the same town. Maybe I can call there to see if he might have something. Don't give up! I will pray and ask the Lord to give you what you desire! He is able!

You're a dear, thank you. I was looking at either the Brother PQ1500s or the Juki TL2010. My problem is that I only want a straight stitch machine, not a computerized one. Janome makes one, the 1600, but you can't lower the feed dogs and that seems odd to me for a $1000 machine. I tried more than once to get both quilt shops to email me back but I guess they don't check email or expect folks to call.

I know I can do small things on the machine I have, but I just will never be able to do a bed quilt. I am asking myself if it's better to hand quilt a bed quilt, knowing it will take six months, than to machine quilt one and not do a great job of it, fast as it may be. I'm just so torn. And the summer heat is really not making it any easier.

Congratulations on your new machine! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

 

[OHhappychicks]

You're a dear, thank you. I was looking at either the Brother PQ1500s or the Juki TL2010. My problem is that I only want a straight stitch machine, not a computerized one. Janome makes one, the 1600, but you can't lower the feed dogs and that seems odd to me for a $1000 machine. I tried more than once to get both quilt shops to email me back but I guess they don't check email or expect folks to call.

I know I can do small things on the machine I have, but I just will never be able to do a bed quilt. I am asking myself if it's better to hand quilt a bed quilt, knowing it will take six months, than to machine quilt one and not do a great job of it, fast as it may be. I'm just so torn. And the summer heat is really not making it any easier.

Congratulations on your new machine! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

OK. I have written those models down. I'll tell her what you want, then see what she suggests. If she doesn't have any thing I'll go over to the repair shop. The last time I was there he had lots of machines there.
Thank you. I'm pretty excited about it! It's so smooth and quiet.
Is the Janome a 1600 P-QC? Cause if it is, on the janome website in the comparison chart, it has drop feed. I also checked out the other shop and he carries the Brother. I will stop in there and find out what I can for you. Not many Juki dealerships around these parts that I can find. Although, I did notice that one of the ladies at the quilt shop where I bought my machine had a Juki. I will ask her.

 

[speckledhen]

OK. I have written those models down. I'll tell her what you want, then see what she suggests. If she doesn't have any thing I'll go over to the repair shop. The last time I was there he had lots of machines there.
Thank you. I'm pretty excited about it! It's so smooth and quiet.
Is the Janome a 1600 P-QC? Cause if it is, on the janome website in the comparison chart, it has drop feed. I also checked out the other shop and he carries the Brother. I will stop in there and find out what I can for you. Not many Juki dealerships around these parts that I can find. Although, I did notice that one of the ladies at the quilt shop where I bought my machine had a Juki. I will ask her.

Yes, it's the Janome you mentioned, but everywhere I look, I see this in regard to that machine:


Quote:
If the newer models have drop feed dogs, I'd like to know that information! Please ask that, if you would. I'd rather have a Juki over Janome, seems more trouble free, but I don't have a dealer here to service it and being the same price, generally, if I can get one at a dealer who can help me with my machine and any issues that come up over time, that would be preferable. That one thing, the feed dog issue, is what is keeping me from even considering the Janome.

The great thing about the Brother is that it is essentially the same machine but much less expensive. The Juki 2010 has speed control, which is one great plus with that one.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Hi Speckledhen! I sent you a PM. Also, I didn't see the lady with the Juki today, so couldn't ask her about it.

 

[speckledhen]

Hi Speckledhen! I sent you a PM. Also, I didn't see the lady with the Juki today, so couldn't ask her about it.

Got it and answered! Thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

I finished the wallhanging except for the sleeve on the back and found it also makes a good recliner/chair throw. Still not happy with some of the quilting but I guess it's okay. I can't figure how much is my terrible perfectionism or just bad technique showing through, sigh. How much bad is too bad?