pumpkinpatchquilter Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 This is what I desperately want to be able to do on my long arm!!! I have been sharing all of my "first" quilts on my long arm...but this is the type of quilting I love to do on my domestic and am hoping I will soon be able to carry over the skill! Today's project...I've been pebbling for 40 minutes and just finished this little section. That center diamond will be curved crosshatching, but I rubbed off my marks and have to go back! For those of you who do very small work like this on the long arm, do you use your micro handles? What about for small feathers? Do you feel you have more control? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyAboutQuilting Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Beautiful quilting!! I'm guessing that you are realizing that it is a totally different technique moving the machine instead of your quilt............don't worry, you'll get it, just keep practicing! I use my micro drive handles for a lot of the real small fillers and feathers and feel that they give me good control. Recently I upgraded the handles on my Lenni to the new, erganomic (sp?) handles that are curved and adjustible, similar to the MIlli handles but with only 2 buttons. I am eager to see what kind of control I will have with them for the small, detailed work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pumpkinpatchquilter Posted January 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hey thank you Marilyn! I have ergo handles that came with my machine but they are the older version. I think I'm going to put those micro handles on my "want" list as I really like doing small work...and you are right! The long arm is SO different than quilting on my little machines. I just don't have the muscles yet - literally!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Pumpkinpatchquilter, you do amazing work on your DSM and I've been following your progress on your long arm. From the looks of it, you will be mastering your long arm in short time. I'm envious of your natural talent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.waits Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Beautiful! Wish I could do half that well on either machine! Hang in there, if you can do it on the domestic, you will master it on the long arm too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Your feathers and pebbles look great! I got a set of micro handles several years ago and use them much of the time, I allow my pinkies to touch the quilt while I am working and it helps in keeping each stitch accurate. They really do give you lots of control. Lately I have been making a concious effort to use my larger handles more so that I don't forget how to use them because I must admit I use those micros more. I think I just like being down and close to the quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pumpkinpatchquilter Posted January 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Thanks!! I really hope I can get there with the long arm and I have to admit...I'm getting impatient!! I posted progress photos of this on my blog...pumpkinpatchquilter.blogspot.com...I couldn't get them to upload because the were too big...but I tried some curved crosshatch which is new to me but I love the look. I love to try things out on a small project then apply them to a larger one after I see how it turns out. I think I'm going to have to get those micro handles...I kind of figured right off the bat that I would like them. They attach to older machines like mine? The Ultimate 1? You guys are great for encouragement, thank you!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 You do beautiful work on your dsm. My hats off to you because I could never do that on my domestic. I love my micro handles for detail work like this and I prefer the hartley base over the Donita's base because the hartley is a little bigger and it gives my hands a place to rest when using the micro drive handles. I like donita's base better for ruler work. LOL Now I just need a happy medium! The micro handles give me the control I needed and wanted. Now that I've been doing this for 5 years I can do a lot of stuff without using them but when I do super detailed work I always use them. I also got a saddle stool and I sit when doing most of my quilting. My feet tend to bother me and this takes the stress off of my feet but it also puts me closer to quilt top and better visibility. I do have hydraulic lifts and when I'm standing to quilt I raise the machine up a lot. I'm 5' 8" so I probably need it higher than most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheagatzi Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 It will come - like you say it's totally different moving the machine, as to moving the fabric. The dsm work looks lovely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zora Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 I went from quilting on the DSM to the longarm, and have never been sorry. It is far less stressful to do this type work on the longarm...less wrestling with the quilt, etc. You will enjoy the difference....eventually. Yes, its an adjustment. I use my micro handles a great deal for small work, like feathers. Sometimes, for things like pebbles, it is easier to go with non-stitch-regulated mode, and just practice making the pebbles smaller and smaller. For me, it depends on what type filler I am doing. My micro handles stay on the machine at all times so I can easily switch between them and the ergo handles. I have the Hartley base which goes on and off easily, which I prefer. Marilyn Badger pointed out that there is no "right way" to achieve the results you want. Whatever works for you is what is right. She uses her micro handles almost exclusively and her work is stunning. You are used to doing very beautiful work, and you will soon be doing the same thing on your longarm. Just remember, tools are made to make our job easier, and don't be afraid to use them to your advantage. There are lots of rulers out there that you will love, and which will give you very precise results. The colors in that quilt are beautiful!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Wow, I am in awe of your feathers and pebbles. You do beautiful work and I can hardly wait to see more pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 I use my micro handles as well; but I don't use them with my Hartley base; there was too much drag for me and my hands ached. I took a class from Marilyn Badger as well, and we didn't use the base in class. She teaches you to put your pinkies down as Vickie mentioned, to steady and glide over the fabric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Butler Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Wow! What control you have with your hands on your domestic machine! Just stunning!!! I sometimes use my microhandles for pebbling, but small feathers, after a while, if you can do feathers, you can do them any size! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peggy (SewAsylum) Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Your work is just beautiful! And I love the colors of the quilt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptnylund Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 I just recently got my 13 millie, I am in awe of your work, you can do the same you have raving talent girl, keep on , just don't be hard on yourself, you are really doing well, me I don't know how to even load the pics oh well, sure enjoy looking at everyone elses. Thanks for showing Terry Nylund Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Szymaszek Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Your work it just beautiful. I don't have micro handles yet, but they are on my wish list. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pumpkinpatchquilter Posted December 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Thank you!! What a compliment! I truly appreciate that!! This is what I was feeling when I first brought home my long arm. But with a LOT of practice I am getting there on the long arm. I think free hand lines and things like that are a lot easier on the domestic...but you just can't beat how FAST you can work on the long arm!!! Thank you for your kind words and congratulations on your new Millie!!! I know you will be doing amazing quilting in NO time! I just recently got my 13 millie, I am in awe of your work, you can do the same you have raving talent girl, keep on , just don't be hard on yourself, you are really doing well, me I don't know how to even load the pics oh well, sure enjoy looking at everyone elses. Thanks for showing Terry Nylund Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 That is truely beautiful work, Valerie.. you will be a whizz on the long arm. Use the motions you do on the dsm to use the handles on the long arm. Just pretend you are on the dsm. Congratulations.. Rita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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