Bought a gently used Baby Lock Coronet
11-01-2020, 08:37 AM
#23
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 122
When I got my longarm I found two, old, worn sheets that I used to sandwich scraps of batting that I had sewn together.
I then stitched lines top to bottom, about 12" apart as well as both sides and top and bottom. This became my my 'practice quilt'. It was easy to attach to the frame since I wasn't dealing with 3 free layers.
On ebay I found a cone of water soluble thread for a good price. This went in to my bobbin. Top thread was an old cone that I had picked up at a garage sale - too questionable for an actual quilt but perfect for practice. Then it was off to the races! I was able to practice for muscle memory, control of the machine, etc.. Once the quilt was filled, into the washer it went and when done, the top thread just pulled off.
I still use this for trying out new designs although I am seeing alot of needle punctures now so it probably doesn't have a lot of life yet. But it was cheap, easy to make and gave me the practice and confidence I needed. Have fun with your new machine!
I then stitched lines top to bottom, about 12" apart as well as both sides and top and bottom. This became my my 'practice quilt'. It was easy to attach to the frame since I wasn't dealing with 3 free layers.
On ebay I found a cone of water soluble thread for a good price. This went in to my bobbin. Top thread was an old cone that I had picked up at a garage sale - too questionable for an actual quilt but perfect for practice. Then it was off to the races! I was able to practice for muscle memory, control of the machine, etc.. Once the quilt was filled, into the washer it went and when done, the top thread just pulled off.
I still use this for trying out new designs although I am seeing alot of needle punctures now so it probably doesn't have a lot of life yet. But it was cheap, easy to make and gave me the practice and confidence I needed. Have fun with your new machine!
11-05-2020, 08:11 AM
#24
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 122
So my mother asked for a memory quilt with family photos. I'm going to make a throw size. I'm good with computers so getting photos on fabric is no issue. There will be minimal piecing, I can get good experience with borders, making 'sandwiches', choosing batting. I want it to be light weight in the end. Should be the perfect size for my first use of the Babylock.
11-05-2020, 10:10 AM
#25
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 160
I have a sweet 16 and love it and it is very similar to your machine. It takes a lot of practice. I used up a lot of scraps which I later cut up and and put in old pillow cases and made cat beds. I like to free hand draw my templates on card stock and pin them on the quilt and sew around them. I usually make four or five and pin them on and then sew around each one and sew on the next one. Then I stop and move the templates. It works good for me and makes for unique quilting. Have fun!
