The February Chookshed Stitchers challenge number was #2; the 365 Challenge quilt for me.
This is a large quilt, and my plan to move this project forward was to get it basted.
Goal accomplished!
I had no idea how I wanted to quilt this, but I thought about it while I was pin-basting, and stitching-in-the-ditch.
I am not quilting this monster in a large space, but it hasn’t been difficult. If I need more space, there is a sewing machine to the left of the Juki that I can move off of the table.
I am not using a walking foot. That is a better choice no doubt, but I chose to quilt the entire quilt with a free motion foot.
After quilting the center, I suffered from a lack of sewjo. Who could be in the mood to sew with an automatic thread cutter running amuck? The cutter would do its thing whenever it felt like it!
After a bit of searching, I found the following solution, and it is working for me so far. Maybe it will help another Juki user.
My bobbin tension was very tight, so I loosened that. Almost everything is working great now.
Almost.
I am also having a problem with the thread shredding whenever I sew backwards. The Hubster found a tiny burr on the face plate and sanded that down. I haven’t sewn yet, but hopefully, that solves that issue.
The sun has shined, too, so that calls me outdoors to get some much needed exercise and Vitamin D.
And, hey, I now have a defrosted and clean freezer, and a clean refrigerator!
Back to sewing. I have a border that I can show you. The thread looks dark, but that is because it is wet. I use a blue marker to mark registration dots to keep me sort of on track while I free motion quilt the border. Then I spray the border with water to remove the dots.
I am linking up with other challenge participants at Dreamworthy Quilts.
January completed blocks.
February completed blocks.
March completed blocks.
April completed blocks.
May completed blocks.
June completed blocks.
July completed blocks.
August completed blocks.
September completed blocks.
October completed blocks.
November completed blocks.
December 2022 OMG Update
Have fun and carry on!
LC's Cottage 
What a stunning quilt. Your quilting is really enhancing it. How frustrating to have the sewing machine issues. I hope you can get them sorted.
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Thank you Janice. The machine and I will eventually become good friends. 🙂
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Good progress. Hopefully the machine issue has been resolved.
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Thank you Karen. Today is not a sew day, but I am expecting cooperation when I do sit down with the machine. 🙂
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The center looks great! so far so good on the monthly challenges.
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So far, so good for the both of us, Donna! 🙂
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Wow, you not only basted, but started quilting too! Will you keep going, or take a break now?
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That depends upon the weather and what #3 is, Kathy. LOL! 🙂
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congratulations on meeting your goals, and starting on the quilting. Your quilt looks lovely, but huge! A big job indeed using a domestic machine.
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Thank you Jenny! Moving forward is a good thing! 🙂
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Hi Laura! WOWEE! That is a HUGE quilt and what a beauty it is. Well, I never knew that a foot pedal could trigger cutting the thread. A great feature when it works correctly and not whenever it wants to. My thread is occasionally shredding. I wonder if I have a burr on my face plate?! Hmm. I’ll have to check it out. The video was interesting to watch – I’m certain someone will find that helpful! Good going on your February challenge. Are you going to keep working on it for March, too? {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
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Hello Roseanne! The demonic thread cutter is a known issue for Jukis. I loved the feature on my Bernina! You might need to loosen your bobbin tension slightly. I have no idea, but I do know that you need to try one thing at a time when troubleshooting.
As I told Kathy, the weather and whatever number is drawn for March will determine how much time I spend on quilting the Monster 365. Oh…and genealogy, and bread baking. LOL! 🙂
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You know already how impressed I’ve been with this whole project, Laura. The fact that you tamed the Monster 365 enough to get it basted is a major accomplishment! So now, theoretically, except for horrible machine mishaps, all is ready for your wonderful machine quilting to continue ‘as usual’.
🙂
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Thank you so much, Laura! Have a wonderful day! 🙂
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Wow! You are doing a fabulous job having basted and began quilting this is amazing. Hooray for goals met and exceeded. So impressed with your ability to figure out to make your machine work for you. Here’s hoping the rotten burr was the problem!
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Thank you Kathleen! I sat down to sew today and things went much better! This border is a big improvement over the previous one (but I am not ripping out the previous one…I believe in finished is better than perfect!). Juki and I are definitely getting better acquainted! 🙂
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