Seems like I've been "Squirrel chasing" lately - ;))
I re-watched some of the FMQ class lessons and then watched a couple more of the "walking foot" class and got to the part where the instructor discussed "decorative stitches" using the walking foot. Some students said that their machine would only do "straight" and "zig-zag" stitches with the walking foot - and NOT "decorative" stitches - according to the manual - and the dealers. Other students said that it shouldn't make any difference since the walking foot didn't have to go side-to-side, only the needle had to do that. Interesting - I wondered what mine say.
So - squirrel chasing - I had to check my manuals - and sure enough - the manuals on my Brother machines said that sewing decorative stitches with the walking foot was a no-no. ALL of the stitch charts had a HUGE "NO" in the column for "walking foot". The manual for my Husqvarna Viking Lily 555 didn't say one way or the other. So - another squirrel - I looked for and found the "accessories" book for my Lily - and it said that I COULD do decorative stitches with the walking foot. Good thing - 'cuz that's the one I have set up that way - ;))
Then there was the "stencil" squirrel - ;))
I have a bunch of stencils and was SURE that I had some that would be suitable for my Christmas table runners and table toppers. I thought that I might even have some with "grids" for the "cross-hatch" pattern I want to do. I found one with a "holly leaf and berries" design that might work on the one - but the grid ones were the ones I was looking for.
I found one that uses a "Quilt Pounce" - but the BLUE pounce powder that washes out will SET if you iron it - can't use that and iron the top to the fusible batt and backing. The WHITE pounce powder will IRON OFF - can't use that with the iron either - besides the fact that I won't be able to see it on the muslin background. Add that to the fact that the grid hits two corners of the square - and not the others - I won't be using this stencil - ;))
So - on to Plan B -
This stencil will work with the "Quilt Pounce" also - but since I can't use either the BLUE or the WHITE powder - I'll have to do it the old-fashioned way - I'll have to MARK it - oh, the horror! - ;))
I like how the grid lines hit each of the four corners - AND how it fits in the sashing, too - ;))
Now I need to find a marker that I can use that can be seen against the muslin - which means it has to be a color (Duh!) - and that won't SET when I use the iron. I have some that will IRON OFF - but I think they might be the right colors - and I can fuse it before I mark it. I also have some that will wash out - so I should be able to find something that will work -
And that's tomorrow's "Squirrel" - ;))
Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -
9 comments:
A lot of interesting reading in the comments section of the Walking Foot Craftsy class, like anything trial and error :)
What about a Frixion pen? I have had good luck with those. Some people don't like them, but I do.
You're right - it's like two classes in one - the instructor's info AND the additional info provided by the students - what works - what doesn't - lots of tips - ;))
Thanks, Katie - I think I have a couple of those in my "stash" of supplies - I forget - do they iron off or wash off - or both? By the way - those embroidered Christmas blocks are the ones that you did for me way back when - thanks, again! - ;))
Oops - I got you and KatieM mixed up - KatieM did the blocks for me - :))
I have never quilted with my walking foot. I think I tried it once and found it to feel very cumbersome. The machine I use for quilting now doesn't have a "walking foot" but it does have an "even feed" foot.
Do you have one of those "hera" markers? The one that leaves the impression without actually leaving 'ink' or 'chalk' on the fabric? I like to use mine after I have my sandwich together. I rarely mark the top of a quilt, I'm always so afraid the markings won't come out - I'm such a coward :-)
I have quilted quite a bit with my "walking foot" - mostly straight lines - but some curved ones using the quilt "guide" to keep the spacing the same between the rows. I got the class to see if I could learn new things to do with it - but so far it's all been stuff that I already know. One thing she stresses is that you have to let it "walk" - it has its own rhythm and own speed. I think "walking foot" and "even feed" foot are two names for the same thing - like those quilt blocks that have different names depending on which book you're reading - ;)).
Thanks, Katie - YES, I DO have a "hera" marker - that's an EXCELLENT idea for the muslin part - I'm not sure that it will show up on the other fabrics - but I will surely give it a try - ;))
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