Stuart's Surgery

In our March issue, Stuart is giving advice about Machine Quilting. For the full article, please see page 54 of the March 2016 issue of Popular Patchwork, but here's a quick summary of his top 10 things to remember

1. Preparation!
2. Baste well
3. Check your sewing machine
4. Clear space
5. Practise
6. Audition designs
7. Check your grip
8. Quilt evenly
9. Check your mood!
10. Take a class

Which do you think are the best tips?

Instead of buying expensive quilting gloves, I use a pair of gardening gloves bought from one of the many pound shops -they have knitted cuffs and an uneven rubberised finish, which gives them a good grip on the fabric.

I think Stuart's number 9 tip.... 'Check your mood.' If you're not in the right mood...just put the sewing machine away...as nothing will turn out right....

Tessa

I use those gloves as well Marian....it certainly eases any strain on the shoulders! I think practising on small items or in QAYG is a good start! But in the end you just have to go for it....as long as it looks OK....once the markings has gone ...who knows!! Best Rosemary

I think starting small scale is important too. I've never tried gloves, and definitely agree about practise and being in the mood.

Starting small is quite definitely essential - otherwise you can get dispirited by "poor" results which are quite likely on larger items.

Also a clear space is essential for accuracy.

I think gloves are almost a "must" gloves - but I find that I need the "finer" ones that are specifically "quilting ones - I seem to get on better with the "neater" fit.. Another two members of my group use the gardening type ones quite happily - it was actually Rosemary who gave us a lovely gift of them when she came to visit us down here - we would never have thought of it ourselves

Winnie x

This month, Stuart's Surgery is all about organising a quilting retreat. I've never organised one or been on one, so what are your tips for either?

I think Tessa may have organised one at her cousins B&B, but I might be wrong..

I tried to organize one at my b & b Katy, but it never happened. It would be nice if we has someone like Karin Hellaby to organize one for us. She's an expert in that field.

Tessa. X

Roundabout Quilters held a 21st Anniversary retreat on 6-8 July 2007. It was held at Lady Margaret Hall, part of Oxford University. The husband of the member who organised it is a professor and a Lecturer and Fellow of LMH so we got special rates. We had two workshops with Janet Cook and had a great time. However, the organiser nearly had a nervous breakdown and has vowed never to do so again and the latest anniversary has been quietly forgotten. It was great fun for the rest of us though!

Margaret

It sounds lovely, what a shame you didn't get to go again. I think would have had a nervous breakdown though, it doesn't take much for me, I can understand her not wanting to do it again. Maybe someone else should offer?