Smooth curves

[Julie Harstad]

I have used two difference Millis and have quilts six quilts. I am a free spirit (no panos). When creating circular designs they are rounded squares, not circles. The machines seem to like the soft square motion. Will this smooth out as I become adjusted to the feel of the machine, or it the machine too tight?

[newmillie2010]

the more you do, the rounder your circles will become. shouldn't take long...just practice practice practice. It becomes very rhythmic. start big and then go smaller and smaller.

[LadyLake]

Hi Julie,

Welcome to longarming! A good exercise to round out those circles is to draw a ninepatch outline on a practice quilt and make a circle in each patch without breaking the thread -- just keep going over and over the circles until they start rounding out. It is a matter of getting your muscles and brain to connect with what it takes to make a circle with your machine. You'll have it in no time!

[Beachside Quilter]

Julie, it gets better with practice. Also, you can use a dry-erase board to practice the patterns; helps when you go to the machine to stitch. Good luck!

[Sams Mom]

Try using your whole body, not just your arms.

[Guest Linda S]

It could also be that the wheels are either too tight, or the machine is too heavy for you. I purposefully did not buy a Millennium because it was too heavy for me. I have a Liberty which is much lighter.

[lisae]

I'd highly recommend M&M wheels!! I didn't have much issue with "square" curves on my Millie, but the M&M wheels make a huge difference in how she handles! Well worth the investment.