Created by Kate Quinn, Janome Educator

A sweet introduction to Rulerwork featuring the Janome CM 17 with AccuStitch Regulator      and the Janome Template Set 1.  Simple piecing is also included along with Edge Stitching. 

Time: 3 Hours

Skill Level: Beginner

Janome Supplies Required:

• Janome Continental M17 
• ¼” Seam Foot O with guide, 9mm 
• AccuStitch Regulator with Rulerfoot Attachment (A.S.R. Ruler work foot A.S.R.-QR) 
• Overcast Foot M, 9mm  
• Straight Stitch Throat Plate and Zigzag Stitch Throat Plate 
• Janome Class 15 bobbins  
• Janome Template Set 1 (Straight Ruler and Double Clamshell with Stable tape grips) 

Fabric and Notions Required: 

• Polyester 40 threads for quilting and decorative edging (Match top and bobbin.) 
• Purple Tip Needle 
• Fabric requirements   

• 1 pc – 7” x 8.5” (center piece of the mat front) 
• 2 pc – 3” x 8.5” (contrast bands for the mat front) 
• 1 pc – 12” x 15” (backing fabric that will show the quilting) 
• 1pc – 12” x 15” (batting) 

• 40 Wt Polyester quilting thread/matching bobbins 
• Rotary Cutter, Rotary Ruler, and cutting mat. 
• Pins (about 6 per project) 
• Janome Rulerwork Accessory Kit (Spacing Gauge tool) 
• *Optional: Freemotion Glider (Highly recommended for all rulerwork/quilting projects.) 

Preparing the Quilt Top  

1. Replace the general stitching foot with the O foot with guide and replace the zigzag throat place with the straight stitch plate on the machine.  (Alternately the HP2 foot could also be used to stitch a scant ¼” seam.) 
2. The purple needle is not normally used for piecing, but there are only a few short seams so install the purple tip needle now and use it for the whole project.  Thread the machine with general piecing thread in the top and the bobbin.   
3. Align the contrast band units, 1 unit at each end of the main front fabric, right sides together.  Pin and stitch using the ¼” seam.   See Photo 1a. 
4. Press seams toward the center. See Photo 1b.   

Preparing the Quilt Sandwich  

1. Layer the batting over the wrong side of the backing fabric.  Edges should be even. 
2. Next layer the quilt top centered on the batting, matching the longer and shorter sides.   Basting is not needed for this small unit but pressing may be helpful.  See Photo

Machine Setup Instructions for Rulerwork on the CM 17 using the AccuStitch Regulator 

1. Thread the machine with a 40-polyester thread for quilting.  Use a matching bobbin. 
2. Attach the ASR-RW foot sole to the CM17 AcuStitch Regulator foot.  Attach the foot securely to the machine and tighten the screw with the screw driver.  Plug the AcuStitch Regulator cord into the port at the back of the machine.   
3. To get to the rulerwork application on the machine, press the <Sewing Application> mode on the screen of the machine.  Then follow the buttons highlighted in Figure 1. 
4. To activate the stitch regulation mode, look for the ASR lettering at the bottom right of the screen.  Press the letters to engage the stitch regulator.  You should see the foot option change on the screen.  If you do not see the letters, check to make sure that the regulator is securely plugged into the machine.   

• For better stitch quality, set the rulerfoot height to make sure that the rulerfoot is just skimming the fabric when the presser foot is in the down position.  Adjust the height using the medium or light buttons as shown.  Light is for thinner batting and Medium is for thicker batting.  In Figure 2, the red circle and lines indicate how to raise and lower the foot with the plus or minus button for fine tuning.  This will help prevent any stitching problems.   
• Test-sew on a quilt sandwich scrap before working on your project to make sure the machine stitches smoothly and the stitches look good.   2.5 mm stitch length is the default setting when using the A.S.R. feature.   

Crosshatching the Center Front Panel 

1. Using a quilt safe marker, mark an X from corner to corner of the main center front fabric.  Align your rulerfoot such that the needle will stitch down the marked line.  See Photo 3 for template alignment. The spacing gauge can help you align the Straight Ruler template ¼” away from the marked line. 

TIPS

• The best practice is to always bring the bobbing thread to the top when quilting. 
• With the rulerfoot, because the needle is in the center of a ½” foot, the template must be ¼” away from where the needle is aligned.  See photo 4 for reference.  

• Diagram 1 below shows the travel path to fill in the crosshatch lines.  Start in the top right corner and work your way to the bottom, also shown by the blue circle in Diagram 1.  Once you have arrived at the blue circle position, stitch from the bottom left corner to the top right along the diagonal chalk mark.  Continue filling lines until the crosshatching is completed in all directions.  Travel in the batting or in the ditch to move to new lines as needed.  Some areas may have double stitching due to travel lines.  That is expected. 

Double Clamshell Continuous Stitch Method 

1. Once the crosshatch is complete. Mark a vertical centerline on each contrast band.  See Photo 7 for the marking line references. 

2. Align the double clamshell template on the center mark of one contrast band with the needle in the ditch.  (This is also shown in Diagram 2 as a green start circle.)  See Photo 7 for template starting alignment.

3. Stitch the taller, outer clamshell left to right.  Reposition the template and stitch another.  Repeat once more until you reach the B1 circle position as shown in Diagram 2. Keep the template in the same position for the next step and immdiately, stitch the inner clamshell right to left.  These are indicated by the dashed lines.  The bottom positions of the inner and outer clamshells should align with the markings on the template.   

4. Once the clamshells on one side are completed, use the same process to finish the remaining 2 clamshells on the opposite side to finish five outer clamshells across the border, ending at the B2 circle position.  Keeping the template in position, stitch the inner clamshells left to right.  Reposition once to complete the last inner clamshell.  Tie off to secure your thread.   

5. This method allows you to stitch in a continuous manner with no thread breaks. Repeat these instructions to complete the second contrast band.   

Completed Quilting and Trimming 

1. Completed quilting design viewed from the back side.  See Photo 9a and 9b. 
2. Trim unit using the front as the cutting edge.  Approximate size is 8.5”x 12” but try not to leave any batting visible on the edges.  This helps have a neater appearance for the edge stitching.  

Overcasting with the M Foot 

1. Remove the ASR/Rulerfoot and replace the anklet on the machine.  Remove the O foot and replace it with the M foot.    
2. Replace the straight stitch throat plate with the zigzag plate.   
3. If using a decorative thread for Edge Stitching, load that thread now.  Matching bobbin is recommended. 
4. Select the <Sewing Applications> menu, shown in Figure 3 as button #2.   
5. Then select the Overedge Woven option as shown in Figure 4.  There are 3 available selections.  Make a small test sample to see which selection you prefer.  A smaller stitch length is recommended, <2mm.  Lowering the presser foot pressure 1 notch may also be helpful. 
6. Pull up the bobbin thread before beginning.  Align the fabric edge against the guide on the foot as you stitch.   
7. At the corner, you may need to slide the threads off the bars of the foot slightly and reposition at the starting edge of the new direction, stitching over the stitches at the corner.  Stitch all the way around the placemat and use the reinforcement button to tie off when finished.   
8. Trim your thread and enjoy your new dessert placemat.  See Photo 12. 

Alternate Finishing Options: 

• Finish the placemat with binding.  (Additional material required for binding) 
• Use a serger to finish the edges of the placemat. Recommend decorative threads and a shorter stitch length.) 
•  Use optional direction to make a zippered rulerwork bag if desired.  (This project is the perfect size for Chris Dolinar’s Rulerwork Zipper Bag from Janome.) 

Mother’s Day Just Desserts Placemat