3 tips on piecing with the PFAFF Passport 3.0

I’m all ready to work on my charity quilts and break in my new PFAFF Passport 3.0 sewing machine. Today I get to work on one of my favorite parts of quilting – piecing! I LOVE piecing! It’s quiet and takes me to my “Zen” place.

Using the IDT (built-in walking foot) on my PFAFF Passport 3.0, piecing my quilt blocks just doesn’t get any easier! Since the IDT feeds both layers of fabric at the same time, I can achieve perfectly pieced blocks and I don’t have to spend time pinning! Did I mention I hate pinning?

I did all my pressing and cutting yesterday. When I’m working on a specific project I like to break it down into its components. I press and starch all of my fabric, then do all of my cutting (and repress the cut pieces if necessary). I then organize the cut pieces so when it’s time to sit down at my machine I can piece to my heart’s content.

The first thing I do when I sit down at my machine is wind a couple of bobbins with the same thread I’m going to use in the top. Bobbin winding is super easy on the PFAFF Passport 3.0 and it gave me a perfectly wound bobbin the first time I used it.

When I have enough bobbins wound for my project, I shorten my stitch length for piecing. While not everyone does this, I prefer a 2.0 or even a 1.8 stitch length when I’m piecing, especially if they are small pieces. I think it just gives me a more secure seam, especially for those baby quilts that are going to see lots of use and take frequent trips to the washing machine.

Because the buttons on the front of the machine are easily accessible it’s really easy to shorten the stitch length on the PFAFF Passport 3.0. Simply press the “–“ button until you’re desired stitch length is showing on the screen.

The ¼” foot, with and without the guide

Next I choose which of my ¼” feet I want to use. PFAFF has a really good selection of ¼” feet to choose from. Check all the cool tools and accessories at http://www.pfaff.com/accessories .

I’m going to use two feet on my quilt. I like the perfect ¼” foot with right guide when I start my piecing, it helps me achieve that perfect seam quickly and efficiently since I can move my needle to give me either a scant ¼” seam or a perfect ¼” seam allowance. Once I’ve accomplished some of the initial piecing, I switch to a ¼” foot without the guide, which I like to use when I’m piecing my blocks together and working with lots of seams. I have a great sight line and can ensure my seams aren’t flipping over on me.

The light on my PFAFF Passport 3.0 also helps to see where I’m stitching.

Wait! What if you don’t have a ¼” foot?! Don’t despair!

On the PFAFF Passport 3.0 you can move your needle to 29 different needle positions. So move your needle over to the right until you find your perfect ¼” spot and stitch away.

I also press  a lot when I quilt. I press and starch before I cut. I then press and starch each and every seam I piece. I wait until I have my initial piecing all done and then I press all of my seams.  Lately, I’ve been pressing all of my seams open and I’m really liking the nice flat quilt top that results in pressing these. If you prefer pressing to one side, go ahead, just make sure you press it well. And no, finger pressing does not count.

When I’m ready to free motion tomorrow, I’ll be happy I took that extra time to press.

I love the perfect piecing I get with my PFAFF Passport 3.0. IDT, the ¼” feet, being able to select a shorter stitch length and the great lighting on my PFAFF Passport 3.0, all add up to another perfect day in my sewing room during one of my favorite weeks of the year. It doesn’t get much better than that!!