dbams

Bonnie, I have used Bubble Jet Set to treat "regular" fabric that I want to use in my printer, and it has worked well for me.  After I iron the fabric to the freezer paper, I zig zag across the top edge before loading it into the printer, because I had issues before with fraying and separating in the printer.  The Bubble Jet Set makes the ink permanent.  I haven't used it lately, so I don't remember the process real well, but I just followed the directions on the bottle.
 
When white fabric works with my project, I use Printed Treasures.

All great tips.....I watched Renae's video and really found it helpful.  I think I am going to go with the Red Snappers to begin with and see how that goes.  I'm sure almost anything is
better than pinning.

I call myself the 'cobbler with no shoes'  because I quilt for everyone else except me!  
So my goal was to make a quilt for our new house,   our new bed....
 
I wanted calm neutral colours reminding me of sand or pebbles.....I made this quilt  using the pattern "Sweet Garden" from Carolina Patchworks.    I was intending to make the entire king size with this pattern -  and I did.  Then I hated it, so I chopped 2/3s of the pattern off and added white for some neutral breathing space.  
 
Simple quilting in between the blocks.   
And then I got carried away in the white.     [
 
 

I received my new needles this week.  Two Schmetz variations, and one Organ.  I've tried the two Schmetz, but not the Organ.
 
Let me start by saying that on my machine the needles were not interchangeable.  They fit and sewed fine, but made more noise than the Groz-Beckert they replaced.  After sewing a bit with each different Schmetz, I decided to check my timing because I guessed the additional noise was from the hook striking the needle.  Sure enough when I checked the hook was hitting the needle.  Not enough to mark the needle, but definitely deflecting it a bit.
 
Initial observations:  The various needles differed in overall length from the longest (the Organ) at 1.526" to the shortest (Schmetz SERV 7) at 1.520".  The Groz-Beckert and Singer (same needle) were 1.522", and the other Schmetz measured 1.525".  All had a needle bar shank diameter of .078".  The Organ and the Schmetz SERV7 have stepped diameters on the needle body, while the other 3 where the same the length of the needle.  While looking at the needle suggested that the scarf depth on the Groz-Beckert was deeper than the other 3, and the reason I believed the hook was hitting the needle, I was unable to measure any difference.  Now I don't have extremely accurate measuring tools, so there might be a difference, but I couldn't find it (BTW the measurement I got was .010 for them all).  The length of the scarf did vary some.  the Groz-Beckert was the longest at .140", and the Organ was the shortest at .115".  
 
I've re-timed my machine so that the hook does not strike the Schmetz needle and have done some sewing with it.  (It is the SERV7 varriant, (20:05 17), not the one Heidi has been using (20:05 1))  I am favorably impressed.  It may be that the diagram of the needle groove-eye- point configuration I saw, has so impressed me that I have a self fulfilling expectation, but the needle seems to sew nicer.  I've noticed no skipped stitches, but then I rarely had them when using the G-B's.  The stitching I have done has not been terribly demanding, but I've noticed no more needle deflection with the Schmetz than my usual G-B.  The stitching noise level seems to be about the same.  All my experiments have involved size 18 / 4.0 size needles.
 
Since I re-timed my machine, I plan on using the Schmetz needle in the near future.  The timing adjustment should allow me to test the Organ needle as well.  I'll continue to share what I learn.  Jim    

For years I've puzzled over sewing machine needles and the vast range of nomenclature to identify them.  It started more than ten years ago, with my wife's Babylock serger, and has been a puzzle for me ever since.  Little by little I'm beginning to unravel this mystery.  Heidi's post of a week or so about Schmetz needles got me going again.
 
I have used Groz-Beckert 134 MR GEBEDUR FFG/SES needles almost exclusively, with an occasional Singer 1955 MR needle thrown in.  They've served me well, but I'm always interested in trying new things with the hope I might find something that I like better.  With that in mind, I just ordered some needles made by Schmetz, and Organ that I think will work in my machine (this is where the mystery comes in)  It is difficult to know exactly what needle works in my machine from the package nomenclature.
 
Here are the package ID's of the needles I use, and the ones I ordered:
 
Singer                  Groz-Beckert  Schmetz*           Schmetz              Organ
1955-01-MR4.0   134 MR           CANU:20:05 1   CANU:20:05 17    135x5
Set/R                   1955MR          134R                 134R SERV 7      DPx5
134    135x5        134 SAN 11     135x5                135x5 SERV7     135x7
797     DPx5        DPx 5 MR        SY 1955             DPx5  SERV 7    134R - 1955
                                                   DPx5
 
The Schmetz needle with the * is the one Heidi is using.  The other is the one listed as the long arm needle on the web site link that was referenced by someone else in that thread.
 
Now I do know what some of the designations mean.  For instance the MR stands for a needle configuration intended for multi-directional sewing.  The 1955 represents a style of needle I think, and is probably duplicated by the R, and Set/R designation.  The DPx5 I think means the same as the 135x5 and the 134 which I believe is the length of the needle, and the position of the eye.  The CANU 20 I think represents the thickness of the needle shank.  I know that the SAN 11 is important, but I don't know exactly what it means.  Perhaps, how large the scarf is.
 
The MR (multi range) needle provides a particular blade configuration and shank that is stiffer than others to proved needle deflection resistance.  The SERV 7 design provides the same sort of benefit as the MR, but in a bit different way.  Both have a larger and deeper thread groove in the front of the needle.
 
Interestingly, the size needle recommended by Superior Threads, deals not with what you're sewing, but rather what thread (mostly size) that you're using.  I notice that they recommended using an 18 or 19 size needle for King Tut, and a 19 or 21 size for Lava.  Perhaps folks who use these threads (I don't), and have problems, have so, because they are trying to use too small a needle.  The size of the groove in the front of the needle being the issue, not the needle eye size, needle diameter, or the fabric being sewed. 
 
I plan to experiment with the three new to me needles on the list, and find out if, and how well, they work.  I'll up date this thread with my impressions and thoughts on each.  Jim
 
BTW, I'm not quite sure about the nomenclature on the second Schmetz, and I'll check it, and make any appropriate corrections when the packs of needles arrive.  Also, anyone who know exactly what any of the designation codes mean, feel free to share your knowledge.

So I have been very busy lately. If you follow me on FB or IG you will know the following. We moved both our stores together to one new location! We started Dec. 26 and opened Jan. 6, one week ahead of our self imposed opening day. We are very tired but it is a good tired!
As you may remember my Longarm was in our classroom. Now I have my own space!!!!!! I am thrilled with my new space! Not only that we added Quilt Path to my 2009 Millennium and added a new Milli!!! I have a new assistant, Sabrina, who introduced herself here earlier today with the handle Fried Green Tomatoes. Sabrina will be helping me with all sorts of things as well as running Quilt Path. She is young, and catches on to computer stuff very fast.
RoseCity Quilter New Studio by -RoseCity Quilter-
My new Milli!
6B9B01ED-FE6B-4EDB-A098-DA18F61F07D7-172 by -RoseCity Quilter- Sabrina and her 1st Quilt Path quilt!
RoseCity Quilter New Studio by -RoseCity Quilter-
My new pressing station, 111" long!
Lots more pictures on my latest blog:
https://rosecityquilter.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/organizing-my-studio/

UPDATED FEB 3,2022
Thank you for your overwhelming interest in this piece I quilted for my client back in 2015.  
many have inquired about the pattern for the quilt as well as the digital patterns for the quilting.  
I have attached the book used to inspire this piece as my client did do modifications to the pattern 
for the Stars to fit her liking.  
The Quilting was all freehand on my APQS Milli.  of course,... you could use a feather stencil or digital feather design 
and a ruler for the straighline work... 
I hope this helps anyone looking to make this quilt,.. or a version of it,.. 
Happy Quilting
Laura

Update,..... 
I did point out mistake to customer and we both decided it needed to be fixed. 
so,... spent an afternoon picking out stitches,  and 10 minutes to restitch the Feather,...
I was happy to do it as it was my mistake,.... 
I always point out mistakes if any,.. big or small
and let the customer decide,.... 
this one I knew she would want fixed,.... 
She is very pleased with the end result!!! 
and so am I!!! 
Thanks for looking ,.... 
Happy Quilting,...
Laura
 
 
 
 
Love the combination of the two,...  Simple,.. with a pop!!! 
I used a double Cotton Batting on this one,..  wanted the feathers to stand up
and take center stage,... Matching Glide Threads in the Grey, Burgundy and White Areas,...
Thanks for looking,...
 
** can you see the mistake?  Found it after I pulled it off the frame,....  :0)
 
 

I have 3 of these quilts to quilt. Lera did this blue quilt and the pink quilts for her granddaughters for Christmas.  I have one more and it is in red, white and blue and is made by Virginia. The pattern is by Amy Bradley.
 
Used 80/20 batting with Metro and Glide threads.  Thanks for looking. I think these two girl are going to be very happy!!!
 
Of course there are more pictures on flickr.  LOL
 
 
 
 
20151022_124918 by Dell Dunman, on Flickr
20151022_124944 by Dell Dunman, on Flickr
 
20151018_163445 by Dell Dunman, on Flickr
20151018_163505 by Dell Dunman, on Flickr

Marti,
Use Super or Crazy glue. Watch the fingers.
Michael

Hi,
Last week I got an order for Giant Boards from a lady in Texas who had heard about them
from another lady in her town. She ordered 4 and a Stylus set for her Gammill.
She had never seen or heard of them before.
 
Here is a note from her.
 
"My boards arrived about 6 this evening and after getting the stylus and one set up, I have quilted half a top !!!!  I love it and am wondering which one to get next. )  Wish I had these about 20 years ago."
Doris Hollister
 
"I finished that top this morning and then did a Christmas table cloth. Used two of the patterns.
Really  love them!!!"
Doris
 
Please take a look again at our Giant Boards. You don't have to wait 20 years.
Web page address below.
 
Thank you,
Michael
 
 

My business, The Quilted Lemon, only opened up in September. It's slowly getting there. Very slowly. But there are a few repeat clients so that makes me happy. One of the guilds that I belong to has asked me to do a short presentation on longarm quilting so hopefully there will be some quilts from that. And then today I just met a client for the drop-off of a custom baby quilt. Since that was custom work of piecing as well as binding after the quilting, it was a lot more than what I've been getting for just the quilting. The bay area is fairly affluent so I'm hoping that the quilt shop will send more people my way for custom baby quilts. The owner was happy that I had the clients choose their fabrics from the shop and buy them there. A win-win as far as I'm concerned. Now maybe he'll have more people call me.
 
At any rate, I'm just happy that my Freddie and IQ have been so easy to work with. I'm still doing just E2Es but I'm learning new tricks everyday. I may play around with mixing different panto designs for a semi-custom look that would work better for the modern quilts. 
 
The forum has been my go-to for any sort of pitfall or question that concerns me. The custom baby quilt had a minkee backing and the forum had great advice on how to handle it very successfully. So a big thank you to all of you for being available to dole out advice when needed. It's like having my very own team of cheerleaders. 

Here's a customer quilt I did awhile ago. Finally getting around to posting. So-fine thread, QD Blend with 1/2 thickness of wool. I intended to sid but all seams pressed open so I avoided it. Thanks for looking. K