Thread: Best foot for FMQ?

I purchased a FMQ foot with a plastic oval so I could see where I was going. Yesterday, my needle went through the plastic! It didn't throw the machine out of time, but probably would have if it had been an all metal foot. The problem was where the small plastic "hoop" connected to the shaft that has the spring - it was loose and had just enough wiggle room to go under the needle. No way to tighten it back. (I hope I am explaining this so you understand what I am saying...)
So, to make a long story short, I need to replace my FMQ foot. I liked the plastic because of visibility, but am concerned that all plastic ones will be loose enough to go under the needle. Any suggestions on which FMQ foot is the best?
Thanks in advance for your help! I am just learning to FMQ and want to get back to it asap!

Originally Posted by Petey

Sorry I don't have a recommendation - only to say that there are many different opinions on what foot to use - check out Leah Day's videos - she removes the spring from her FMQing feet.

Thanks, I will check out her videos.

Originally Posted by Petey

Sorry I don't have a recommendation - only to say that there are many different opinions on what foot to use - check out Leah Day's videos - she removes the spring from her FMQing feet.

She doesn't remove the spring, but she does bend the bar at top backwards to keep the foot from "hopping." I did it to my quilting foot and I'm so glad it no longer "hops." You have to use a rubber band or some sort of band to keep the spring depressed enough to allow the foot to just hover over the fabric, or press down on it lightly. I find my stitches are a lot smoother since the foot no longer hops.

Originally Posted by bigsister63

I also hit the plastic oval on FM foot and broke the needle and put a hole in the plastic( good thing it was not my finger!). I think this was a freaky move on my part since I some how must have moved the fabric and foot the wrong way at the wrong time! I contuinue to use this same foot with the larger hole and have no other problems. I think that is may have been a wrong move on your part ( no blame intended) so keep on using this foot and just be more careful. I know that I am.

It probably was a wrong move on my part since I am a beginner at FMQ! But the needle put a hole through rather rim of the plastic and I can't smooth it out on the bottom. I think it will need to be replaced, so I want to see what others think. Thanks for your response!
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Originally Posted by lovelyl

It probably was a wrong move on my part since I am a beginner at FMQ! But the needle put a hole through rather rim of the plastic and I can't smooth it out on the bottom. I think it will need to be replaced, so I want to see what others think. Thanks for your response!
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You might try sanding the hole with an emery board, it may make it smooth enough to use.

is it a generic foot or one made for your machine, I use the ones that came with my machine, I like the open toe spring metal foot best I have a close toe no spring metal foot, an echo plastic no spring clear foot, and a plastic clear spring darning foot that I had from a previous model, They all do a good job, but have a different feel to them but I prefer the open toe spring metal, They are all made by my brand, no generic foot so they work well for my machine. I'm not saying generic won't work but if they are causing some of the problem you might want to try one made for your machine