Pic courtesy of http://www.amysquiltingadventures.com
We do hear quite a few comments like: “I don’t like free motion quilting” or “I am afraid of doing Free motion” or “I suck at Free motion quilting”. Truth is: there is just no getting away from the fact that dropping those feed dogs, taking a big deep breath, and letting go as you move the fabric under the needle to create quilting designs is a bit scary. The element of control that feed dogs do give us, is gone and this can cause anxiety.
Pic courtesy of Amysquiltingadventures
We have often suggested hints & tips on doing Free motion on janomelife or suggested alternative ways to quilt your quilts…….you may like to do a search in the search box on janomelife home page for Free motion quilting and you will have many posts to read.
Pic courtesy of Amysquiltingadventures
However, practice is the all important thing here. Practice, practice, practice. You cannot escape this reality. We know we have to break through that barrier of fear and let go to be free to free motion……and this only comes with doing it repeatedly and often.
This link offers some good information on free motion quilting.
Pic courtesy of Sew4home
And here are some more links to helpful free motion info: 8 Tips for Free motion quilting by Amy Johnson of Virginia who is a Janome dealer.
Pic courtesy of sew4home
And a great video from Janome Canada Artisan: Kim Jamieson-Hirst on the Janome Convertible Free motion foot set. and ruler quilting.
Did you know that Janome has a 16 inch sit down free motion quilter which is a dedicated quilting machine offering more space and great features. Check it out.
AND we recently also introduced Janome’s very first longarm quilter: the Quiltmaker Pro 18 – which may be set up at 4, 8 or 12 feet wide and also has a myriad of fabulous features to excite quilters.
Both of these quilting machines will give you a distinct advantage in your quilting journey…….visit a Janome dealer today to ask about these great additions to our line of sewing and quilting machines.
Are you flying yet?
Have you dropped those feed dogs and taken off on a free motion journey?
Do let us know what you have discovered and what helped you with getting over the fear to fly.
Janome Life 
I purchased a Janome Artistic SD-16 and love it. I am looking for a ruler foot that is a bit thicker than the one that came with the quilting machine. Is there one available and if so, how would I purchase it. My dealer has told me that he does not know of one available.
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Hi Ingrid,
Unfortunately I am unaware of any such “thicker” ruler foot for the AQSD16. We have all been using the one which came with the machine. I will, however, make enquiries and get back to you if I hear anything different.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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I have a janome xl601 quilting machine and I would like to quilt up to king size quilt can I add a quilting frame as long arm machines are so expencive many thank Geraldine webb
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Hi Geraldine,
I was not familiar with this model # but I did some research and it appears that it is a computerized machine with 30 stitches. I think it would depend on which frame you wished to put this machine on but we probably would not recommend this as the throat space on this specific model is too small for effective longarm quilting. You really need a minimum throat space of 9 -10 inches or more to accommodate the poles with your quilt layers. Too small a space and you would have to advance the quilt after quilting very narrow sections. I don’t think you would find this a practical way to quilt. We would recommend you look at our straight stitch machine – the 1600P – or dedicated longarm machines such as our Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Slowing down was my biggest help. Also, trying out quilting with rulers and taking Amy Johnson’s class.
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hello liz thank you very much I will look at the machines you have noted
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