Manual vs. Stitch Regulated - When one is better?

[monakeegan]

I just got my Millie five months ago and am just beginning to stitch some things in the manual mode.  I feel much safer in stitch regulated for most of what I do, but I hear other very experienced quilters say that one is better than the other for them in certain situations.  Is there a set of rules or guidelines for when manual stitch mode is better than stitch regulated mode and vice versa?

[ffq-lar]

Sorry you haven't had any replies.

 

I'll just say that (as my friend Linda Steller always says) I spent good money for that stitch regulator and I'm gonna use it!    I love that line!

Before Quilt Glide became available, most used their non-regulated mode for micro-stitching. And some longarmers originally learned without a stitch regulator and feel it gave them a better start.

Myself, my SR is always on, always used, and makes me relatively carefree.

 

Guidelines---schmidelines! We don't need no stinkin' guidelines!  

Do what feels right, looks good, and works for you. Turn off the SR if you want to challenge yourself.

[T Row Studio]

great advise Linda. I only turn it off when doing small stitching . I find that it is not as jerky, much smother, but 

i am just learning put on a sample sandwich and give it a try who knows what you will find.

[Oma]

I was thinking exactly like Linda and I didn't say anything.  I'm sorry.  I thought a bunch of other people would jump in.  I use my stitch regulator all the time.  Why?  Because I have it and I like it.  I did part of a quilt one time with it off, but it's been so long ago that I can't remember why.  I may have been micro-stitching.  Lord knows I decided I didn't like doing that.  Micro-stitching is fine on something small, but I looked at my big old quilt and said "Crap!  What was I thinking?"  I took off the micro handles and put them away and I haven't taken them out since.  I'm sure I will use them again some day maybe.  I may have been doing something freehand and felt I had more control...I don't know.

 

My suggestion is as Linda says...do what feels right, looks good, and works for you.   

[Corey]

I use mine all the time. The only time I turn it off is when I did heirloom feathers, a class from Karen

McTavish, it will work when you get the hang of it and Linda R is so right, if you want to challenge yourself and that is good because it will add to your repertoire.

[shirleyl]

I use SR 99% of the time. Micro stippling and pebbles I do in manual.

Shirley

[meg]

I think the machine moves easier with the SR turned off.

Sometimes when I'm practicing a new design, I practice in manual.

And I did quilt one piece in manual mode a couple of years ago.

But, Aside from this times, I'm SR all the way.

[Enchanted Quilting]

I use SR 90% of the time...when I'm doing teeny tiny backfill's I will turn it off and quilt like a mad woman!!

[monakeegan]

Thanks to all of you.  I will proceed in SR now unafraid that I am breaking any rules.  Move into manual as I become more confident.  Just got back to this today.  Really appreciate your feedback.  mona

[LindaSteller]

As my friend Linda Rech always says, "Guidelines---schmidelines! We don't need no stinkin' guidelines!"        

 

There are no Quilt Police!  And, if there really are some, they are not allowed in my studio.  Do what makes you happy.  That SR does add a good deal to the price of any machine.  Use it to your heart's content!

[Zora]

I agree. I got SR on my machine so that I could learn to quilt without the added stress of worrying about my stitch length. I got Quilt Glide to smooth out stitch regulation for micro work. I got micro handles to provide better control in smaller spaces. It's a waste of time to feel guilty about using these options. Marilyn Badger said these things were designed to make our lives easier, so why not use them. I think we can all agree Marilyn is a "real" quilter. If it's fine for her, it's fine for me.