ffq-lar Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 I thought I would share the steps I use to do a full float and what I do to control the top as I go. After loading the backer (I still use pins--I bought the zippers early and have never gotten them on!) I line up the batting next to the pin line, engage the horizontal channel lock and sew with a large stitch from the middle to the left, smoothing the batting as I go. Then I return to the middle and sew in the other direction. Good place to do a final check on the tension. Now your batting is secure. I then place the top about 1/4 of an inch down from the stitched line, centering it and smoothing it out. If the top has no border, I place the hopping foot on the center of the top, right on the edge, engage the horiz channel lock and simply push the machine to the left and right, noting if it is straight. (this is not sewing, only using the foot as a guide.) I scoosh the top into place and pin every 5 inches or so. This makes the top perfectly straight across the top edge. If there is a border, I ignore the top edge and do the adjusting and pinning at that first seam line. The top should now be straight, so I smooth and pat the top flat. Using the vertical channel lock, I adjust the sides, either at the edge or at the first border seam, just like the top edge. I pin a couple of places and place a straight pin on the canvas of the top roller to mark the edge (or the seam line) of the sides of the top. This is to mark where the sides should be as I roll the quilt. If it misses, adjustments can easily be made in small increments instead of having a huge problem at the end. As I advance, I make sure the sides "hit the mark" on both sides. I also use the channel locks to check as I quilt to see if the horizontal seams in the body of the top are fairly straight. Again, this is not sewing, only using the hopping foot as a guide! This has worked well for me and I hope someone else can use the information. Linda Rech Olympia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtreusch Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Thanks Linda. Great instructions!! Debbi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Hey Linda, Are you in the middle of the flooding?? It looks terrible out that way...one of my favorite spots on the entire earth!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 It's pretty soggy here!! We had 6 inches of rain in Olympia yesterday, but farther north got up to 9 inches. All the rivers are overflowing and lots of evacuations and flooded homes. One river changed course and overran lots of property but only one home. Whew! We are safe and dry. Thank you for asking!!! Linda R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolynbanderson Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 Linda When I full float my quilt top, it moves just a little. Am I doing something wrong? Do you pin it down at all to keep it from moving? Thanks for all the help you can give me Carolyn QuiltFrogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted November 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 Hi Carolyn-- I use lots of pins! Sorry I didn't add that. I pin across the top to secure it and keep it straight and I also pin the sides to tame them. I sometimes pin in the body of the quilt if there are issues with straight piecing across the middle. Lots of people stitch the sides down as they roll, but I have never tried that. I do stitch on and off the edges if I am doing an overall in the borders. What seems to help the most is somehow marking where the sides end--I use a pin in the canvas of the top leader and Linda Steller use painters tape on the leveler bar at the back. That way, every time you advance, you can nudge the top into shape and it will hopefully keep it straight and square. Hope this helps. Linda R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolynbanderson Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 Hi Linda Thanks that help. Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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