LucyPrairie Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 I can't really afford to purchase an extended base for my Freedom right now. Until I can, do you have any suggestions on what I can do to make stitching in the ditch easier (aside from a ruler)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 You really need some kind of base so you have control of that ruler. I have the rulermate from Donita Reeves because you don't have to take it off. If you have someone who is a handyman, I'm sure they can make something for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMALKB Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 I have the Harley base and leave it on 99% of the time. I use it so much that I don't bother taking it on and off. Works fine ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 I SID lots of times without a base, but I have the thread cutter to the left of the needle so I have something to rest more of the ruler on and thus have more control. You can carefully SID if you go slowly. Remember to place the ruler, stitch as far as you can with safety and control in mind, and then stop, move the ruler, and start again. Until you are really comfortable using the ruler, never move it as you are stitching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisquilter Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 LOL, I do the same as you Linda. I never use my thread cutter, but I would never remove it either. It is perfect for short run ruler work. I don't like the extra room the exteded base takes up, so I only use it if I have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I, for the life of me, can not remember whose video I just recently watched on YouTube, but the long arm quilter found it easiest to put on a thicker leather thimble and use her finger to guide her quilting foot along in the ditch. I was just surprised how well she did using that technique. I would try it, also, but I have the old spoon foot on my Ulti I and don't think that would work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cegates Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 This may seem obvious, but it wasn't for me! For SID with or without a ruler, keep the area you are working on close to you. Everytime I am tempted to SID towards the back of the work area, I end up ripping it out. Not a very time efficient way of doing things. Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyPrairie Posted April 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 A leather thimble? I can definitely try it; it may help my buy time until I can purchase a base. And thanks Carol, for your suggestion. It's certainly something I need to keep in mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSteller Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 I do most of my SID without a ruler. Your machine will track fairly steadily on the horizontal and vertical axes. I do use a ruler for diagonal lines and, as Linda said, if you go really slowly, you should be able to do it without the extended base. SID around appliqué can also be done without the extended base if you go really slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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