We used to have a very colorful mousepad given out as a gadget at work, once the infrared mice appeared, we had to change them as these mice could not cope with the bright red and bright yellow of our logo... Might just be certain shades, and I would think that the infrared technology has improved...

Perhaps those of us with BSRs should run some tests.

I think it is RED that the BSR laser light doesn't "read" well.

PosyP wrote:
I don't know about bright yellow, but I have no trouble with gold printed fabrics. This was quilted entirely using my BSR. Hard to get more gold print than this...LOL

I seem to remember another thread talking about the BSR and how it doesn't seem to like gold printed fabrics and some bright yellows, it has trouble 'reading' their movement or something. Jus' sayin'....

Thanks for the info. It is going to take me awhile since it is summer and camping is calling me ( off for 3 days) Probably I will try and finish it before the end of August.
Happy Quilting!

I don't have a BSR, but I do quilt large quilts on my domestic sewing machine so thought I'd add my 2 cents worth.

For large quilts, I often do my SID with my free motion foot rather than with my walking foot if the quilting isn't in long, straight lines. This is for the SID in the block elements rather than along the rows and columns. It's really much easier than trying to turn that bulk in the machine and trying to stuff all of the large quilt under the arm. If you go slow it really isn't too bad. Sometimes I'll leave my feed dogs up since that sometimes helps me to keep my lines straight, but that really depends on the quilt and maybe the thread.

I've started doing more quilts with wool batting, especially double bats with wool on top and cotton on the bottom. I find that the puff is a bit more difficult to quilt because the top shifts more, so you do have to be more careful to keep things flat. With a puffy bat, I've found that I'm less likely to get puckers when doing curved quilting with the free motion foot than when doing straight quilting with the walking foot. I don't have major problems with the walking foot, just more than with the free motion foot. So just be careful with your puffy batting. I do things like keeping my hands closer to the needle so they can help flatten the area where I'm sewing which means that I have to shift my hands more often. But I really love the look that the puff adds.

Have fun with your quilt and don't forget to show us pictures when you are finished!

Nancy

Thank you all. I do pin my quilts extensively after laying it out on my floor and making sure there are absolutely no winkles. I tape the backing to the floor and then layer. I work my pins from the center out smoothing while I pin. I then quilt on my large table with a fold away table on either side of my machine. This method has made a huge difference it quilting . I appreciate the method of quilting in the ditch on all boarders first. I have never done this I appreciate all you info and support.
Thanks

thank you for the info!
i really wonder years how can i avoid wrinkles on a quilt *when you quilt suddenly you got extra fabric on the top - there is no way to flatten it.
again thank you!

Yes, what BJ said. The only thing I would add is that wool doesn't mind the stitching with the BSR.

Well spoken, BJ

Here are a few hints I've found in quilting larger quilts with a BSR that might be helpful for you. I use a Bernina 830 with a BSR:

-- Stabilize it by doing some quilting in the ditch with your walking foot or dual feed clicked on including stitch in the ditch around the border(s) seam(s) before you start other stitching. I use my number 10 foot, which has that blade that helps run right down the middle of the seam with my dual feed. The newer Bernina walking foot has a similar bladed foot. If you do this, it will help minimize waves in your border and also help minimize fold-overs and wrinkles on the back.

-- Stitch closely around any appliques with matching thread.

-- Set the BSR with a smaller stitch length and do some testing for the tension first before you start on your big quilt. I generally set mine with Superior Bottom Line in the bobbin and thread it as if I were going to do embroidery. Then the top tension is adjusted by threads--3.0 for most 40 wts.

-- That size quilt really needs support with additional tables or ironing boards or a large cabinet. I found this helps almost more than anything.

-- I use one of those slick mats, and tape it down for added security with blue painters tape around the edges for free motion.

-- I generally use either a 90/14 top stitching needle for most threads, or a 70 sharp for 100 weight silk.

-- Take your time...going slower works better for detailed quilting especially.

-- An audiobook or music helps make the quilting go better for me.

After reading your answers and looking at some free motion designs I have decided to free motion it. I will take my time though because if I don't I could ruin the quilt. Wish me luck. Thanks for the advice.

It is possible to do it but as Kathy suggests it could be easier with the presser foot. Depends on how experienced you are with free motion quilting. I suggest the walking foot if you choose this option.