Ritathequilter Posted March 6, 2006 Report Posted March 6, 2006 Hi Girls I had a few extra minutes this morning so I thought I'd read thru the archives...what an enormous amount of good info is in there! I had so many questions about the base expander but from reading, I think I know how to use it now. Tell me if I'm wrong.....the base expander is put onto the bed of the machine so that we have a wider base to use rulers on for SITD etc. Is that right? So I'd put it onto the machine if I wanted to do cross hatching as well because I'd have to use a ruler to guide the machine along. Is that right? Rita
Charlene Posted March 7, 2006 Report Posted March 7, 2006 Rita, Yes that is right. There are several brands out on the market but I use the one that APQS sells and am very satisfied. Slides on and off, has a nice snug and secure fit. To do any ruler work, I would think the base extender would be necessary. Charlene
Myrna Ficken Posted March 7, 2006 Report Posted March 7, 2006 Hi Rita, Yes, that's correct, if you are going to be using templates for SID or any template work you need to slip your base expander on so you have a firm work surface to steady your rulers. I use the 15" Hartley base expander. The same for cross hatching. However if I am doing a large area of crosshatching I use my Hartley Fence. This is much faster and much better results. Myrna
creatifworkshop Posted March 7, 2006 Report Posted March 7, 2006 Hi Myrna, May I ask what does SID stand for? I have seen it before but thought that by now I would know. Brigitte
Ritathequilter Posted March 7, 2006 Author Report Posted March 7, 2006 Thanks Myrna I didn't by the Hartley fence cause I didn't know what it was for. I plan on learning how to do cross hatching so will eventually get one of these. And here I thought I could do cross hatching by just locking the machine. hmmmmm so now what are those locking features for? I have the Millinnium. Rita
Myrna Ficken Posted March 7, 2006 Report Posted March 7, 2006 Hi Rita, You could do crosshatching in horizontal and vertical lines with the channel locks. But not on any kind of diagonal. Myrna
SandraC Posted March 7, 2006 Report Posted March 7, 2006 Brigitte... SID...stitch in the ditch...to stitch right along a seamline... Rita... Make sure you use a gentle touch with your rulers, if you press down too hard it gives you a hard time... Sandra
Ritathequilter Posted March 7, 2006 Author Report Posted March 7, 2006 Sandra I have rulers?? I've never used a ruler before and don't think I got one with my machine...but then I recvd a whole bag of stuff that looked like advertising stuff to me and I haven't really gone thru that yet. I think I need to buy rulers actually. I"ll talk to Darlene about that when I take my course in a couple weeks. Boy, is she gonna love me! YOu should see my shopping list. heehee Rita
Myrna Ficken Posted March 8, 2006 Report Posted March 8, 2006 Rita, You will love Darlene too. She is a great lady. SID stitch in the ditch. I used to dread it. Now with my Millie I actually like doing it, really. It is so much easier. Myrna
Darlene Epp Posted March 8, 2006 Report Posted March 8, 2006 Hi Rita, You'll be able to try out all kinds of rulers when you practice the SID on your quilt top in class. Then you can decide which ones you like the best. The Base Expander comes with 2 great rulers with handles, or you can buy the rulers separately too. Don't make your shopping list TOO long! I don't want you to leave here being overwhelmed. Start off slow and just get the necessities. As you develop your skills and get a feel for what your customers want, you can add more "toys" to your stash. Piecers have fabric stashes, and longarmers have "gadget" stashes. The goal is to only buy what you're actually going to use! AND invest in the best tools you can afford. I'd rather have a few GOOD TOOLS than a whole bunch of "gadgets".
Darlene Epp Posted March 8, 2006 Report Posted March 8, 2006 OH! And by the way...........I think you're a great lady too Myrna! Thanks. :cool: Darlene
bethvandeven Posted March 9, 2006 Report Posted March 9, 2006 Hi Everyone, Do any of you have an idea about a base for the Ultimate II? Price, brand, any input would be great. Also due to the machine I do not have a hopping foot, would I need special rules? Thanks, Beth in Seattle
Myrna Ficken Posted March 9, 2006 Report Posted March 9, 2006 The base will fit the Ultimate 11. Price is on my website. If you don';t have a hopping foot You will have a hard time using templates and rulers. Someone clear this up for me . I have never seen an Untimate 11. I did just speak to Hartley and the ( Ultimate 11only) fences are on sale for 300.00 Myrna
bethvandeven Posted March 9, 2006 Report Posted March 9, 2006 Hi Myrna, Thank you for the information about the Hartly Fence (which I assume works like the base epanders I've seen) I'll look into it but don't know what to do about the foot situation. I thought I read somewhere someone had made a little cap sort of thing that fits over the bottom to take up some of the gap so it would make it closer to the ruler. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Beth in Seattle
Myrna Ficken Posted March 10, 2006 Report Posted March 10, 2006 Beth, You can order the "cap" from APQS. The Hartley Fence attaches to your table. Give me a call and I will explaine it to you. I also have the Hartely Fence Workbook available. It is step by step instruction and design ideas for the Fence as well as all the other Hartley products. I get really great reveiws about it. I fyou would like to order one give me a call or email you can see it on my website. http://www.aquilterschoice.com/products.htm http://www.aquilterschoice.com/workbook%20view.htm Myrna 435-635-7900
bethvandeven Posted March 10, 2006 Report Posted March 10, 2006 Hi Myrna, I will look into the Hartley Fence for my Ultimate II, sounds like they don't have many for my model but I looked at your website and at your book and it looks terrific! I tried you on the phone but you were on the other line, unfortunately I'm off for the weekend and will have to catch up with you on Monday. Thanks so much for all the information Beth in Seattle
Myrna Ficken Posted March 10, 2006 Report Posted March 10, 2006 HI Beth. I'm sorry I missed you I tried to call you back but had no extention. Please call me anytime that is good for you or give me a number and I am happy to call you. They do not have many Fences for your model Myrna
MaryLou5740 Posted March 12, 2006 Report Posted March 12, 2006 Have a question....I see the picture of the bobbin with the "pigtail"...what is it's purpose? What does it remedy? It's a cute little thing and I didn't want Rosie going without if it's something she should have...ML
Myrna Ficken Posted March 12, 2006 Report Posted March 12, 2006 Hi Mary Lou, The bobbin with the pigtail is an embroidery bobbin. I like them, does it change anyting?? I really can't say, it does not hurt anything for sure. My tension is good. I do have to loosen my tension on the bobbin case as the pigtail adds tension. It brings my thread up at a straight to the hook. Does that make them better?? I just like them. Have you look at the APQS website. It is very informative. Check it out. Myrna
ncutt Posted March 13, 2006 Report Posted March 13, 2006 How many of you leave your base expander on all the time?
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