Thanks Maliw - the Husky glide hoop is the like the one that Stitchintime has offered for D to try out. 
For embroidery she has some wooden hoops that she uses for cross stitch but for this venture she' definitely wants something that will work for FMQ single handed.



HollyBerry, thanks for that video of the Octi Hoop.  How she holds the top and bottom hoop whilst moving them was useful to see.  The video I'd seen of the Octi hoop mentioned one handed use but didn't show how. 


Chatted to D last night and she's excited to give some of these things a try.  She's concerned that she'd lose the position of the bottom hoop with the octi hoops as they don't seem to be held together by anything.  She's worried that it might slip under the foot/needle.   She's going to watch the videos again and look into things a bit more over the weekend.  Like all of us, buying and trying out all the different systems isn't really an option so she's trying to work out which she might have the best chance with especially as she will be very much a beginner at FMQ.


If anyone has got any of these types of aids, it would be so helpful if they could do a little tryout one handed and see what they think. 

SewHot.co.uk is an An online shop (based in Fleetwood Lancashire), generally aimed at P&Q and craft but it's well worth worth exploring other bits and pieces. and they do have some nice fabrics.
Look at the black and white spotty zips for example.


I love, love, love that they price the fabric by the metre and not the 1/4.  Thank goodness.

Oh and plenty attractive novelty print fabrics on sale at the moment at very reasonable prices per metre.  Ideal if you're sewing for christmas gifts or want to stock up for sewing items to sell or for fundraisers.

Morgan, quick question about thread: I have poly thread and my machine has auto tensioning, and it seems to tension properly. In this case...is it worth investing in Rayon thread as well? What would the difference be?

I use either Rayon or Polyester depending on the project.
Rayon is softer and not as 'springy' as polyester so ideal for clothing especially children's wear.  Polyester has a harder feel, harder wearing and more colourfast than rayon but can melt if your iron is too hot.  Watch this video
I never use polyester for lace (the finish is too harsh) and use either Rayon or a fine 60s cotton
(Tip: Remember it's the eye of an embroidery needle that usually wears out before the point.  Polyester thread will wear the needle eye more and quicker than rayon.  Whilst you can use a polyester or a metallic in a needle that's been used to stitch rayon, don't use a needle that's been used to stitch polyester (or metallics) for anything else.)


The difference between the threads http://cn.madeira.de/index.php?id=1600.
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4574/choosing-machine-embroidery-threads/page/all

Hope you enjoy working with your programme Jo.


For anyone else looking for a digitising programme, do seriously consider Hatch which is made by Wilcom which writes digitising software for commercial/industrial and domestic packages.  Wilcom was commissioned to write the embroidery digitising software for branded packages for Janome, Bernina etc.  Things have moved on and Wilcom has brought out their own domestic package called Hatch.  It's excellent and the tech support is direct to Wilcom rather than via the machine company for packages like Janome MBX or V5. You can buy the whole package or build it up modular style.

Suggestions and advice needed please.


D has the use of only her left hand and sews using a Janome SMD 3000, mostly household and craft with a little dressmaking.  We have found several things which are useful - washaway wondertape, a 3rd hand/sewing bird, clamps/holders, table top needle threader, and so on.
Now she really, really wants to tackle some FMQ.


So far D's efforts at FMQ have been frustrated because she cannot both spread the fabric around the needle area and move it around so she is looking for an adaptive aid that she can used one handed.


Looking around we wondered if something like the Babylock free Motion Quilting Grip could be a solution, especially as it has rulers/templates that can be fixed to the grip as shown in the video demo.
There are other grips around eg. the HusqV grip and there are some other ruler systems but they don't seem to have a way to lock the ruler in place.
Also there are things like the Octi Hoop which can be used one handed as shown in the viedo.




Which system do you think will be the most versatile and practical for setting up and working with using just a left hand?


Also it would be very helpful if any one handed stitchers would be willing to share their suggestions, advice and experience.


Thanks in advance.

How crisp a collar do you get with the shirt canvas?  Will the steam press give a good result with it?

The shirt canvas is quite firm and makes crisp collars and cuffs.  (Make sure you do the pre-shrink process before doing the permanent fixing.)
I store it rolled around a couple of rolls of kitchen roll at home so that it doesn't take on any creases from being folded.
Try a sample with the shirt pack fusibles.  The fine cotton fusible is a dream for the placket.


The non-fusible sew-in collar and cuff canvas is nice too.

For decent quality interfacings you cannot beat the English Couture Interfacings.


I adore the silky couture light and the fubsible fine cotton.  I use both a lot.
Also the medium stretch is great as are the shirt interfacings and both the traditional and speed tailoring products.


Oh and this instant stitch hem tape is a winner.  It can be used in different ways.


Scroll down for videos to show how to apply these things properly.

Oh you star Marniesews - Stuart A had posted so much really helpful and useful information about working with stretch, lycra and making form fitting clothing.
I had saved some and I've missed the resource.
Thanks again.