Hi ,

 

If you're tired of pushing your quilts over a table top, maybe it's time to try something new - like putting your machine on wheels!

 

Last month, Jessamyn sent me a beautiful photo of three quilts she quilted on her Continuum Frame:

I know I saw a dramatic difference in my quilting speed when I began quilting on a frame. Part of the increase in speed is moving the machine over the quilt - which is more natural to form designs because it feels like you're drawing with your machine needle.

 

But another time saver is not having to shift and constantly reposition your quilt. When quilting on a home machine in a table, I typically stop and squish the quilt around about every 4 inches. That constant stopping and squishing eats up a lot of time!

 

So if you're wanting to quilt more quilts, maybe it's time to move to a frame. We have a terrific deal on our Q-Zone Hoop Frame this month, which comes with a carriage to hold your home machine:

Grace Company has also created a new Hoop Frame PRO bundle which includes three additional accessories: back table inserts, Dual Carriage Track for smoother quilting, and Hoop Frame Leader Cloth.

 

Click Here to check out the Hoop Frame PRO bundle, also on sale for a great deal this month!

In between painting walls and laying carpet tile, I've been having a blast free motion quilting on my Janome 1600. This high speed machine has incredible stitch quality and the speed is absolutely out of sight.

 

See how I set up my 1600 for free motion quilting in this video and check out the awesome Convertible Darning Foot which is truly one of the best feet I've ever used for free motion quilting:

This is my favorite foot for free motion quilting because it has both a height adjustment and the ability to change the bases so you can do different styles of quilting. I use the open toe base most of the time, but if I’m quilting around applique or fuzzy fabrics, I’ll switch to the closed toe base.

 

You can add even more bases and start ruler quilting! See how this works in this video:

During the month of August, we're including a bonus Accessory Kit with all Janome 1600 machines with everything you need to begin ruler quilting!

 

You'll get a ruler foot, Ditcher Ruler, and 10 metal bobbins for free when you pick up this machine from LeahDay.com.

 

 

These videos have been getting lots of happy comments from quilters around the world. Beverly B shared this:

 

This video has been so helpful to me.  I have a 1600p and the feet that you described and the slider sheet but could never get my machine to free motion quilt. The problem was that my thread would keep breaking constantly. I saw you suggested isacord thread and figured I would give it a try. What a difference. No breakage. It amazes me what a difference thread choice makes. I love my 1600p for piecing. It is a workhorse. But now I am thrilled that I can also do my free motion quilting on this baby. Thank you for this video and all your tips and tricks.

 

Yes! Thread can make a big difference, especially for free motion and ruler quilting. When you hit those higher speeds, you need a thread that is thin, but strong enough to handle the friction of free motion quilting. Click Here to find my favorite quilting thread.

 

So that's it for this week, . I'm off to finish organizing my new sewing studio and I hope to get around to binding a quilt that's been in progress for 7 months. It's so nice finally be getting back to all the projects I had to put aside during our house repairs.

 

Let's go quilt,

 

Leah Day