Thread: fmq stitching problem

Originally Posted by BETTY62

I did not know you needed a special needle for quilting. Is this for FMQ only?

Betty62 - I've been using a quilting needle for everything but FMQ - it seems to just work better without it - not sure why

Originally Posted by thepolyparrot

It sounds like maybe the presser foot isn't down or the pressure on the presser foot isn't sufficient.

Did you use basting spray or is your quilt pinned?

basting spray was used.

ball point needle????? I thought that was only for knits! I use a topstitching needle. No problems yet.

Originally Posted by CompulsiveQuilter

ball point needle????? I thought that was only for knits! I use a topstitching needle. No problems yet.

I don't know the lady at Hancock suggested it and I needed new needles for my serger; sewing machine and embroidery machine so I bought them and tried it and it worked better - could have been all the other things I fixed as well but I don't want to change it now for fear I will jinx myself!

Not sure what kind of machine you have but like others have said I found that a quilting needle doesn't work well for FMQ on my machine. I just use a regular needle and that works best. The whole thing is finding what works best for your movement style/speed and your machine. It was trial and error for me.

it sounds as if you are moving faster than the machine. it really takes some practice to move the fabric evenly with the speed of the machine. good luck

SueBee is right. Slow down andpractice. Also the pressure control should be adjusted. Good Luck and let us see your project!

I didnt know there was a "quilting needle". I've got all different needles, but not this one. What is the difference in them?

Originally Posted by CompulsiveQuilter

ball point needle????? I thought that was only for knits! I use a topstitching needle. No problems yet.

Nope, and it worked. Solved all my breaking problems. Took 3 trips to the dealer before either one of us thought to try a different type of needle. LOl sometimes the simplest things is all it takes. :)

Also, remember everything in sewing is kind of like a recipe for chilli. Everything is a guide, nothing is set in stone.

Originally Posted by pamkasperi

Things I learned:

Put feed dogs down
make sure FMQ part is screwed on tight - mine was loose
lengthen stiches
reduce tension
don't go too slow
make sure the material glides across your sewing arm
manually put your needle down and then up while holding the top thread to pull the bobbin thread through then stitch 2 or 3 stiches in place and then trim both threads
ball point needle
Don't move the material too fast - in fact don't move the material - slide/glide the material around your work surface - everytime I "move" the material I get skipped stitches or the bobbin thread comes up top

That's all the newbie tricks I learned last week!

Not to hijack, but a quick question here. I've always been told to set stitch lenght to zero when doing FMQ since the manual movement of the fabric under the needle will determine stitch length, but this post suggests to "lengthen stiches", so now I'm confused. I'm somewhat of a newbie so can someone clear that one up for me?