Robin Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 I recently had to move from my comfortable panto place from behind the machine to do custom blocks and such from the front of the machine. Any tips out there on how you keep the machine steady doing motifs on individual blocks? I can do a pretty detailed panto with no problem but it is more difficult to follow the lines from the front. Maybe it's just a PPP thing. Please let me know any ideas and pointers. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judysmith Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 Robin I think it's just a confidence thing. I'm fine from the front but dread pantos from the back! Somewhere in past posts I read that your machine should be like a mole, just under the quilt sandwich. I find the little bit of drag helps control the machine a bit better. Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Robin, I'm with Judy, you need to do the dreaded PPP. Get yourself some muslin, or something really ugly and not expensive. Then tell yourself that these are going to be dog/cat beds, that they won't mind. Practice to your hearts content, and then give the pieces to the local animal shelter. Everyone will feel better in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iquiltit Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Hey Gals, Just a reminder that used sheets from the GoodWill or Salvation Army makes nice practice sandwiches, cheap. The Army is cheaper and they are good for the pet shelters as well. Sometimes I get them for $1 each . West Virginia Carol:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roberta Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Personally I love working from the front of the machine, it is much harder for me to do panto's. My advice is to just relax. I also find that I have the most control when I relax my shoulders and neck area (I know I have to actively think about this as I am still in the learning stages myself). Also, I find it extremely helpful to hold my elbows close to my body, and move more of my whole body and not just my hands. I also think it is important not to grip the handles really tightly. A lesson I learned from golf. Hold them like the neck of a bird. You don't want to strangle the bird, but you don't want it to get away either. I hope this helps, it has helped me a bit... Though I can't say I am an expert ... yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PamelaA Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Roberta, I appreciate your analogy to the bird's neck. I too find that when I start to have problems it is because I have a death grip on the machine. You just have to keep remembering to relax. Pamela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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