Finished yesterday! what a fast finish it was for this little quilt which will be off to Texas when I get around to mailing it next week. You can see what Operation Homefront is about in previous post and I have put it on my side bar if you wish to go look and see what it is about.
But first a question on machines: I have been thinking of possible getting a new sewing machine – no bells and whistles – just something stronger than the one I have – more industrial I guess you could say – I have heard good things of the Juki TL98Q– any opinions on either machine? I just want a good straight stitch and strong enough to do this straight line quilting that I have a feeling I will need to be doing more of as my hands have more aches and pains. My Janome just isn’t a strong machine for quilting and I can hear the motor straining at times it seems.(it is a low end machine) I have no idea if I would ever get into free motion, but I do like the idea of straight lines or something that goes with the design of the blocks. Possibly try a little quilt as you go to see if I would like the look of it – I have heard mixed reviews on it. I will still continue to hand quilt as many of quilts as I can.
Machine pieced and machine quilted with straight lines by me 
and the quilting went really well this time – I only took out one line of stitches when I realized how crooked that line was getting – you would think I could do a straight line on the sewing machine – but it can be hard at times LOL. I was surprised my tension didn’t mess up once – normally that is a problem for me – not using adhesive spray really helped me I think.
All of the color squares were in my 3 1/2 inch scrap box – where I have all scraps cut into that size squares. The white I cut from the stash. The back was a pretty blue/pink/white moda print that I got on a close out sale some place and I pressed three pieces of batting together with the pressing tape for batting – whole quilt probably cost less than $15.00 to make and less than 12 hours to make. After it was washed and dried it measure 35 x 40 inches – just right for a little baby.
The back
A simple straight line stitching. When I got it out of the dryer I couldn’t find any of the little puckers that I knew where on it. with that shrinkage it sure hides the little mistakes.
This little quilt took 4 days to make of off and on work – I think maybe I need to start an on line shop and sell some of these little quilts from my scraps
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Karen, it looks great! The straight line stitching looks great too! I’m never able to sew a straight seam – LOL! If not mistaken, Juki sewing machines are used in the textile industry here and I also believe a relative to my husband has a Juki, which she is very satisfied with (she makes clothes). I love my Bernina 440 QE and never had any problems with it. Why don’t you open a shop at Etsy?
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That’s pure quilt love! Are you adding a label to the back? I can’t decide if I should or not, or what to say. Thanks so much for doing this!! ~karen
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Nice to know someone else out there cannot sew a straight line on a machine.. LOL Exactly why I hand piece and hand quilt.. I had no idea that I had this problem until I started to quilt.. I had been sewing home dec. and garments since long before Home Ec. and that is many years.. But when I started making quilts I found that my stitching was not straight and I also had a problem being accurate.
What a cute quilt! I’m going to look into Operation Homefront for Ohio. It sounds like a wonderful project. As to a new machine, I recommend Janomes. Their Acuquilt system is a terrific even-feed system that makes straight-line quilting a breeze. I use it on my Horizon, which may be higher end than you want. It’s also available on other machines and I highly recommend it. I hear the Jukis are good machines, but I’ve never heard anyone mention their even-feed systems.
I bought a brother s1500 from Allbrands for 569$ it is a straight stitching machine and I was very pleased with it. free shipping in U.S.A. no tax because it is a no tax state. look into it.
I have had a Juki TL98Q for several years now and I can’t imagine quilting without it. As good as it is for machine quilting, I wouldn’t piece on anything else. I heard someone say once “if you want a good straight stitch, you need a straight stitch machine” and that is so right. It makes a beautiful stitch and is a workhorse. Keep it oiled and clean and I think it will last forever. The walking foot works extremely well too.
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I have a Juki TL98e machine – just older than the ones now available. I love it. The worst problem I had was getting the speed slowed down for piecing. (There are a lot of solutions on the Juki Yahoo group site.) It’s a straight stitch only machine, which is great for what you are looking for in a quilting. Mine now resides on a Grace frame for free motion (not a long arm, unfortunately). I used it as a sit-down quilting machine for years and was satisfied with the results. You’ll probably feel like it’s running away at first – lighten up your foot on the controller.
I have the Janome 6600P large heavy machine and LOVE it. I’ve heard so many good reports about the Janome Platinum or Platinum Gem machines…..tons of features, rather lightweight, even good for toting to classes.
Karen the Juki TL2010Q flat out rocks! You are more than welcome to come over and try mine out, it’s truly the best machine I own. I use it less than the Bernina’s because it’s only straight stitch, but it’s just perfect. Nice lighting, perfect stitch, thread cutter and a knee lift, which for me is darn near indispensable. If you decide on one of these, the 2010Q is nicer than the 98, simply for the lighting and better speed control. Buy it from Les at Ed Raichert’s and mention my name and you’ll get the best price out there.
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What a pretty little quilt. Perfect for a new baby.
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Karen, I sew on a Janome Horizon, love this machine. I love my older Janome Memorycraft too, but since I purchased the Horizon I keep going to it. The acuquilt system/walking foot and the free motion foot are fabulous. Plus all the extra room on the bed is great. That being said, I did research Juki and read excellent reports but couldn’t come up with someone within a hundred kilometres. If there is someone near you, test sew and then you will know.
No one has mentioned a Husqvarna Viking. My machine is great. Features I love include the automatic thread cutter – (plus 3 other cutters on the machine where you need them- near the bobbin winder, where the bobbing sits, near the needle) the automatic presser foot, options to have needle in up/down position when you stop, and a speed control. The combination of the presser foot lifting and needle down position means much more efficient and enjoyable machine quilting. I just finished my first machine quilted quilt and I was very happy with it. Husqvarna has a wide range of machines. They might be worth looking at if you have a dealer in your area.
I bought a Brother PQ1500S last year and absolutely love it. I got it from Amazon for around $530. Best machine I have ever owned. Great for piecing and quilting!!! LOVE IT!! You will also! It will sew through anything!!