Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
free motion quilting >

free motion quilting

free motion quilting

Old 12-27-2011, 05:49 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston
Posts: 16
Default free motion quilting

I am new to fmq and I need to know how to set the needle length, or do you?
pat109 is offline  
Old 12-28-2011, 03:04 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
woody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 2,135
Default

Do you mean stitch length?? I set mine to zero usually but I have had times I have forgotten and it hasn't really made much difference, you control the size of the stitches with how fast or slow you move your quilt top. It takes practice, don't forget to breathe
woody is offline  
Old 12-28-2011, 03:42 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
angelahen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: England UK
Posts: 297
Default

I do both set to zero and forget. The main ting is to relax. make sure your quilt top has plenty of room around your machine. I swear by quilting gloves. I find these make the real difference.
angelahen is offline  
Old 12-28-2011, 04:03 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
neeng's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 854
Default

I never changed mine at all. Since the feed dogs are down, it shouldn't make any difference.
neeng is offline  
Old 12-28-2011, 04:08 AM
  #5  
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 45
Default

You didn't say what type of machine you have. If you have a longarm quilting machine, you probably won't need to change the needle height (unless you have a quilt with a lot of thick seams etc.). Start with it at a regular height and see how it is working. I always start with a test quilt sandwich first to loosen up and make sure my machine is behaving.
lyndarva is offline  
Old 12-28-2011, 07:57 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
ChaiQuilter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 514
Default

Setting it to zero makes a big difference for me.
ChaiQuilter is offline  
Old 12-28-2011, 09:12 AM
  #7  
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
Default

you also don't say if you have watched any videos, read any books, had a class.
If you just sit down and start fmq, then it will be frustrating for you.
Need more details about your machine, experience, etc etc etc........to give informed suggestions.
Holice is offline  
Old 12-28-2011, 04:30 PM
  #8  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston
Posts: 16
Default

thank you very much. I just have a brother sewing machine. nothing fancy. I will try setting it to o . sounds good. Have practiced quite a bit but never changed the length of stitch.
pat109 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Roberta
Links and Resources
22
06-14-2015 10:06 AM
cminor
Main
42
12-29-2013 11:47 PM
neeng
Links and Resources
20
03-03-2013 01:43 PM
BellaBoo
Recipes
20
06-09-2012 07:55 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter