I Will Never Pin Again!

I Will Never Pin Again! There, I said it.  I threw it out there in the universe!  You might be wondering why I am throwing out such a bold statement?  Well let me give you a little bit of back story!

I am a new quilter.  Yes, I have been sewing for years but quilting, that is another whole bolt of fabric!  Am I proficient at it, nope.  Am I accomplished, nope!  Could I learn more, always!  I decided to dip my toes into this world when I realized I had over 800 t-shirts, (yes 800, I counted) that I needed to do something with.  They all held great sentimental value to me so I just couldn’t bear to donate them to the local thrift shop.  I had to find something to do with them.  Now what!

I was at my local quilt store one afternoon and I saw a flyer for a t-shirt quilting class for beginners!  Now I knew nothing about quilting, but I can sew.  I had my machine, I had the shirts, thread, and all the basic supplies that I needed already so why not!  I immediately signed up.  I was so excited.

I went to class followed the teacher, learned that this is a whole other world in the sewing community.  I persisted.  I finished my very first quilt top, now what?  I went to the last class and this was the one that I was most interested in.  Free motion quilting on my domestic machine.  Who knew!

Needless to say, I am now hooked.  I have moved on to piecing traditional quilts both strip and block.  I immediately had my son fashion me domestic quilting frame out of pvc pipe and some pool noodles and I went to town.  17 quilts later I was blessed with a true longarm frame set up complete with machine!  Is it a new one, no but it is new to me.  Was it guaranteed to work? No, but with my make it work attitude I figured why not try, what have I got to lose.  So I set it up. Went to my local quilt store and asked tons of questions of the ladies there, purchased everything that I would need including those dreaded long pins!!!

Got home read the directions on loading, watched videos on my longarm machine loaded my quilt back, and pinned diligently tip to top all the way across.  Not once did I consider the direction that I pinned in.  I went to rolling up the back and the first hand run across to smooth the fabric, my hands felt like pin cushions!  What in the world.  What did I do wrong?  You must really pay attention as to which way you place your pins and smooth the roll!  I did not enjoy myself at all.  I had 17 quilts to quilt.  My hands were going to be swiss cheese by the time I was done.  How do true longarm professionals do this! Not to mention the amount of time it takes to perfectly place these pins. Ugh!

My next trip to the quilt store I asked more questions after apologizing profusely for my lack of knowledge.  My lovely sales consultant said, and I will never forget it, “Honey, have you heard about Red Snappers?”  I guess the look on my face said it all.  She just smiled at me and said let me show you!  She proceeds to show me the Red Snapper loading system.  Demonstration and all!  She loaded a quilt on the floor model in less time than it took me to pin one edge of my back!

Sold!  I purchased everything she showed me.  My excitement grew on the way home.  I felt hope again!  Got it all home, set up my frame again, loaded my quilt and my hands said a huge Thank you!  Hence, I will never pin again!

If you’re not familiar with the Red Snapper system, let me tell you it is worth it’s weight in gold!  Head out to your local quilt store and take a look.  You will definitely not be disappointed!

Watch the video below to see how to use them!