The Joy of Quilting with Your Long-Arm Machine
12
KathyQuilts.com
Setting Up your work area
Organization and comfort in your workspace help to have a better quilting
experience. Here are some suggestions for your workspace:
• Space: Make sure you have enough space to move around your frame freely. For
many people, this is not possible simply because their frame is in a room that does
not have much available space. However, using casters or furniture movers can
help move your frame further into the room while you are quilting and then
allow you to slide it back to where you store it when you
are finished. Also, the right frame can help you when
you’re limited on space--the 12 foot Grace
frame
can be set up at 5, 7, 10, or 12 feet so it might be
a frame to consider. You only need to be able to get
around one end of the frame so it is best to have at least
two feet more space than the length of your frame.
• Pressing Station: Use an ironing board or a pressing table to press the quilt before
pinning it on the frame. If you do not have a pressing table, you can make one by
using an old door, or piece of wood and placing it on a table, dresser, or ironing
board. Cover it with 100% cotton batting and duck cloth for high heat resistance.
Remember that well-pressed seams are easier to quilt over.
• Wastebaskets: Keeping a wastebasket at each end of your frame will keep you
from walking across the room every time you need to throw something away,
allowing you to stay more focused on your work.
• Floor Mats for comfort: Standing for long periods of time while quilting can be hard
on you physically. Some sort of anti-fatigue mats laid along the length of your frame
will help reduce stress on your limbs and joints and allow you to work and stand for
longer periods of time.
• Footwear: Wearing the right shoes is key. Shoes should give adequate arch and heel
support and cushion, providing comfort for the wearer.
KATHY SAYS: When you are on your feet for 12 hour
stretches, shoes are all about comfort over cute.
My personal favorite shoes to quilt in are Crocs :)
Tight on
space:
Adding
casters makes
your frame
mobile
so you can use
it,
then move it
:)