Eureka Moments

New English Quilter frame on the Franklins Stand at the Festival

Another great show has come and gone. As the dust settles we are tired but happy to have shared our machine quilting passion with thousands of people. It's a perfect chance to find the machine quilting frame that's the 'right fit' for each persons space and pockets.

Ikuko, Clarissa and Martha at the JUKI stand Festival of Quilts 2014

After making the rounds, many people are surprised to find our New English Quilter frames. People appreciate the simplicity of design and the freedom of movement. They especially like the variety of sizes to fit in a variety of homes, not to mention the affordable pricing!

feeling the movement on the Art Quilter frame for the first time

During our demonstrations there are 

three 'Eureka' moments. 

The first is when we persuade people to actually move the sewing machine. People are often shy and hesitate to touch the machine. But when they do, they're astonished by the freedom of movement. It's like magic - so easy and effortless!

Martha demonstrating the New English Quilter frames

The second Eureka moment is when they realize that they will never need to baste pin or tack again, ever! Each layer of the quilt is tensioned separately so there are never any rucks or wrinkles, even on the back. The frame creates a perfectly tensioned surface all steady and ready for you to draw with the needle.

The third Eureka moment is when we take the frame apart. Most people say, "No, don't bother to take it apart!" And we say, "It's no bother, it just takes a minute." We lift the fabric poles out, take off the sewing machine, lift of the carriages, unclamp the side arms and lift off the tracks. Suddenly the penny drops and people realize that it really is just that easy!

Rosie showing how the 6 foot frame comes together

We do this hundreds of times every day of the show and quilters discover that our New English Quilter frames offer the same freedom of movement as the long arms for a fraction of the cost. Our frames are designed to easily fit into your car and your homes.  It's exciting to find that free motion quilting can be fast, fun and affordable too.

Rosie and Martha taking the Art Quilter frame apart - it's so easy!

Star of the Sea

Martha piecing the 'Star of the Sea' on the JUKI Exceed 600

Our friends had a new baby and invited us to the Baptism. So Emily and I decided to make a watery quilt to suit the occasion. We chose the fabrics together. This simple half-square triangle star top came together quickly.  I did the piecing and Emily did the quilting.

Auditioning threads from various Superior Threads ranges

Once the top was pieced and on the frame we needed to choose the threads. We narrowed it down to a variegated Rainbows and some of the silks from the Kimono Silk range of Superior Threads. In the end we chose the turquoise silk #343 Okinawa. It looked nice against all the fabrics in the top. The fine silk created a subtle texture but it was strong enough to machine quilt at high speeds. 

on the 6 foot Art Quilter frame

 The 6 foot Art Quilter frame gives 55 inches of quilting space and is a perfect size for baby quilts. This quilt top measured about 50 inches square.

Emily's free-motion feathers

 Ever since our April retreat, Emily's been wanting to try feathers. So she decided to quilt feathers in the central star shape and a waterery wavey pattern on the background.

free-motion quilting detail

 We think that the different styles of free-motion quilting created a good contrast.

machine quilting detail

Notice how the feather quilting stands out on the blue crab fabric and disappears on the Amy Butler paisley.

a good view of the JUKI TL98P

 Here's a good view of the JUKI TL98P straight stitch sewing machine. The extra length and height of the arm make it perfect for free-motion quilting on a frame.

a view of the quilt back

We used #633 Light Turquoise Bottom Line pre-wounds in the bobbin. The Bottom Line range from Superior Threads is designed especially for the bobbin and the fine weight is a good match for the Kimono Silk on top. We liked how the Turquoise thread showed up against the white of the backing fabric. Emily was so happy with how the back looked that she wants to do a similar pattern in a whole-cloth quilt. I do love the way that one quilt leads to another ; )

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off the frame ane ready for binding

Here it is all finished and thrown across the frame. The quilting just took 4 hours spread over 2 days. It's going to make a lovely present.