If you've tried your hand at raw edge applique and free motion quilting you will know full well how important it is to be able to see your work clearly ... particularly if you want a precise finish.
Sounds pretty obvious doesn't it ... but you will be amazed at how many darning / quilting feet don't provide a very clear view of your work. I love the Bernina #24 foot ... it works like a dream ...
... no problems with vision here!
I would have to say though, that the majority of people that I teach my techniques to use a Janome. There are two different Janome quilting feet that most people have ....
... this enclosed clear one, which looks like it would be perfect to work with ... but as it turns out it's absolutely awful as the plastic distorts your visual field, making precision stitching almost impossible... particularly for a novice.
the second one is very similar, however, it has the front section removed ... this helps a bit but the foot is still quite hard to work with.
A couple of weekends ago I finished off a workshop with a group of girls from Ballarat Patchwork and one of the students had this rather wonderful Brother foot on her machine that worked extremely well ...
It is a Brother Free Motion Open Toe Quilting Foot - Model # F061
...and what's even more exciting .... this foot fitted the other Janome machine in the class! This really is wonderful news for those of you who have been struggling with your clear plastic Janome feet!
Just a word of warning though .... do make sure that the foot suits your Janome before you purchase it ... or make sure that you can return it if it doesn't suit your specific model before you hand over your money.
Thank you to Kirsty for doing all of this research ... you are a gem!!!! Even though there was a lot of procrastnisation in your general area in the class!!!!! LOL!
Last weekend we spent a lovely, lazy, long weekend hanging out at home with the kids who all had stacks of fun trying out their new wheels!
Megan gave her little brother some very helpful pointers ...
and it wasn't long before he was flying all on his own!
I think that there are going to be a lot of cycling weekends on the horizon!
Something completely off the track before I head off .... my computer's hard drive fried the week before last ... taking with it all of my emails, contacts and so many other things that it makes me nauseous to think about .... so if you have emailed me with a question or if you know I need your contact details please either shoot me a quick email or resend the original query so that I can get back to you as soon as possible.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and that it's filled with lots of quilting .... made so much easier now you can see where you're sewing!!!!! I've finally gotten to the final stretch of my latest project ... only background quilting left to do now - the best bit, but more on that soon!
Kelliex
Just stopping by to say hello! the kids are getting so big!
Posted by: upstatelisa | March 17, 2011 at 03:49 AM
the thought has been going through my head - and I have yet to try it, but wondered if anybody else has - what if you used NO foot? I mean, a quilting foot really doesn't ''hold'' anything down like a regular presser foot. Do we really need a foot at all?
Posted by: Karin @ Quilt Frenzy | March 17, 2011 at 03:57 AM
Your post comes at a perfect time as I have a dear friend who wants to talk feet this afternoon! I will load this page when talking to her. I have the really horrible Janome foot, but I am making it work.
So, do you use any programs to design your quilts or are they all done by hand? I am just starting to branch our from patterns and wondering what people use. I love your applique and am wondering how to make some of my own. I have a few designs in mind...
Posted by: Sarah H. | March 17, 2011 at 04:36 AM
I have the Janome clear plastic open foot. I'm not completely happy with it - can you explain why the metal one (same shape) is so much better? What's wrong with the plastic one??
Posted by: Karen | March 17, 2011 at 05:20 AM
I have a Janome foot I "modified" by cutting the front off... it is a dream foot NOW!
What a difference a good foot makes. Loved your analysis and I concur: seeing what you are doing is critical. Love your site, btw.
Posted by: Karee | March 17, 2011 at 06:18 AM
Good tips, thank you.
Posted by: kaholly | March 17, 2011 at 08:58 AM
you've mentioned the Bernina foot no 24 before and I duly went and bought one and I have never looked back. Thanks so much for all the info we get here free of charge!
Your kiddos are indeed growing up. Even the little one doesn't need any training wheels! Wow!!!
Posted by: Vreni | March 17, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Hi Kellie! A fried hard drive is a very scary thought indeed! Hope you didn't lose anything you can't live without or get back easily enough. The foot tips are great - I had one of the closed oval plastic things - yuck! The one I have now is much more open and works like a dream! Can't wait to see your latest project!!! Danielle x
Posted by: Danielle | March 17, 2011 at 12:35 PM
I have a Brother foot which is the same as the 'horrible' Janome one. Maybe that's why I can't free motion quilt as well as I'd like. Or maybe it's just that I can't be bothered to practice LOL
Will have to investigate that other Brother foot now.....
Posted by: Karen | March 17, 2011 at 01:38 PM
Very interesting! I have a Janome and will have to go have another look at the foot I have, the brother one looks great! Thanks for the info!
My sons love going riding with their dad on the weekends, it is such a great family activity!
Posted by: Jessica | March 17, 2011 at 09:55 PM
I have a Janome, I have a solved the problem a little bit by sawing a bit out of the foot, so it is more open, but I will try the brother foot it looks wonderfull. Thanks so much for sharing
Posted by: Mariëlle | March 17, 2011 at 10:41 PM
You're so funny! I can't believe you've had procrastinators in your classes -- the shock! The horror! And oh, the fun!!! And Yay for your sweet little Joshua -- he looks so proud on his new bike!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | March 18, 2011 at 12:25 AM
love the cycling! last year I bought a set of 3 janome feet for free motioning, one of them is like your first bernina foot and it's a joy. you can't get it seperate so it works out expensive but I love it.
(http://www.gursewingmachines.com/janome_free_motion_quilt_foot_set_202002004-sewing_feet.htm?utm_source=Googleshopping&utm_medium=Freelistings&utm_campaign=Sewing%20Feet)
Posted by: driftwood | March 18, 2011 at 03:12 AM
Do you have a foot that you recommend for a Pfaff?
Posted by: Christine | March 18, 2011 at 05:04 AM
Nothing like a little retail therapy to cheer a girl up. I've just ordered one for my Brother machine Yeah! :o)
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | March 18, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Thanks for the heads up on the Janome feet thing Kellie. I have tried many times to FMQ without success. I agree that it is hard to see where I am going. I will check this out when I am next at my Janome retailer.
Posted by: Jan | March 21, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Thanks for the informatin on the Open Toe foot. I am definitely going to check this out. I have all Janome machines and would not trade them for anything else.
Posted by: Teresa | March 22, 2011 at 11:51 PM
Are you going to make the pattern available for the lovely quilt shown in the workshop photo? Please, please, please . . . It is so beautiful and just what I am looking for to make as a wedding present. I already made one of your other patterns and the gift was very well received. Thank you for the beauty and color you add to the world! :-)
Posted by: Mirabelle | March 26, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Love the post, Kellie! I am working on my procrastination problem, might even set up a support group - we will meet at a fabric shop and drink coffee and dawdle until it's time to go home - want to join?! Thanks again so much for the class, I am loving the technique and practicing as much as I can. Kirsty x
Posted by: Kirsty | April 01, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Can you tell me if you quilted the white fabric before you made the pillow? I think your work is amazing. My daughter made a quilt for
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