Feed Dogs: Up or Down
Hi all!. My first quilt was completely hand sewn/quilted. Now I am ready to quilt my second quilt using my new sewing machine (Brother CS6000i I got after Christmas-$145.99 on Amazon). I have used the Elmer's glue technique for basting the layers - whoever thought of that is an absolute genius! I had flashbacks of kindergarten! Anyway, my questions are these....
I have a walking foot. If I use that do I keep the feed dogs up or down while sewing? Next question. I made a strip type top and want to basically stitch in the ditch using black thread (blacks/whites for strips) that will show through on the white backing....which I want. Can I use a zig-zag stitch for a little more decorative look with the walking foot? thanks for any advice! |
With a walking foot you want the feed dogs up. They move the fabric from the bottom, the walking foot moves it from the top. You can use decorative stitches if you want, as long as your walking foot will accommodate the wide stitches. (Mine will; I think they all do.)
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My Viking walking foot needs a plate change to be able to do decorative stitches. Check yours carefully before trying.
Feed dogs alwayzs up for walking foot. Fabric feeds from both top and bottom to get an even feed. |
I have a walking foot for my Kenmore. Keep the feed dogs up (engaged), so the top and bottom feed at the same pace! mine will also accommodate the width of the decorative stitches. That said, if you are straight stitching, this will work wonderful, but it's MUCH more difficult to do curves with. Maybe long arches would be ok to do, but designs (daisy, circles, etc.) will be very difficult to control. AND never use the backstitch,or a decorative stitch that used a backwards motion. The walking foot just doesn't do backstitch, it's only a go-ahead device (like flip-flops on your feet, try walking backwards!) No matter what you do, I'm thrilled that your ARE doing it! Explore, enjoy and share with your friends!
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For quilting with your walking foot, you will want your feed dogs up.
For FMQ, some machines you have to have the feed dogs down, or covered, and other machines you can leave the feed dogs up...gives better control....I do that when I am doing some quilting....like certain patterns...but for overall FMQ, it seems to work better with the feed dogs down. |
You cannot use decorative stitches on the brother with your walking foot. Refer to your manuals stitch chart as to what stitches you can use, it is very limited amount. Your feed dogs need to be up.
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Thanks for all the advice. I have checked my book it does say I can do either a straight stitch or a zigzag....so that is okay. I don't know why I am so nervous about starting the actual quilt. So far I have cleaned my sewing room. Rearranged my small fabric stash. Eaten lunch. Started some laundry. I got the walking foot attached and have practiced the stitch on a piece cut from the quilt when I trimmed it. It works just fine. I have rolled the quilt on one side getting it ready to sew on the machine......why am I procrastinating? The worst that could happen is that I don't like it and will have to rip out the stitches, right? I guess any "first" time at anything can cause hesitation. I am so glad to have this board to "talk" to others about this!!! LOL
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If you are that nervous, do a potholder first. Good luck.
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Originally Posted by reneaunoel
(Post 5797268)
...AND never use the backstitch,or a decorative stitch that used a backwards motion. The walking foot just doesn't do backstitch, it's only a go-ahead device (like flip-flops on your feet, try walking backwards!)...
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Originally Posted by sewmary
(Post 5797256)
My Viking walking foot needs a plate change to be able to do decorative stitches. Check yours carefully before trying.
Feed dogs alwayzs up for walking foot. Fabric feeds from both top and bottom to get an even feed. |
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