my machine stitches fine doing piecing - no skipped stitches etc. But when I put my FMQ foot on it stitches along fine for a few stitches and then the top thread quits picking up the bottom thread and end up with one very long stitch or quits stitching all together. have rethreaded machine, bobbin, etc but no help? any suggestions?
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It may just be the needle you are using. Did you change it to a quilting needle?
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Originally Posted by Fancy Nancy
my machine stitches fine doing piecing - no skipped stitches etc. But when I put my FMQ foot on it stitches along fine for a few stitches and then the top thread quits picking up the bottom thread and end up with one very long stitch or quits stitching all together. have rethreaded machine, bobbin, etc but no help? any suggestions?
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I'm with Suebee - there is definitely a "sweet spot" between the speed of your machine and the movement of the fabric. And of course all the advice about needle, threading, etc. Mostly lots of practicing.
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stitching very very slowly and still does it and did put in quilting needle. sooo frustrating -
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Originally Posted by Fancy Nancy
stitching very very slowly and still does it and did put in quilting needle. sooo frustrating -
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also, try a ball point needle instead of a sharp and loosen your top tension a tad when FMQ'ing. and yes, there is a definite sweet spot between you moving the fabric and the speed of the machine.
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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? |
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! |
I did not know you needed a special needle for quilting. Is this for FMQ only?
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Originally Posted by BETTY62
I did not know you needed a special needle for quilting. Is this for FMQ only?
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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? |
ball point needle????? I thought that was only for knits! I use a topstitching needle. No problems yet.
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Originally Posted by CompulsiveQuilter
ball point needle????? I thought that was only for knits! I use a topstitching needle. No problems yet.
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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.
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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
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SueBee is right. Slow down andpractice. Also the pressure control should be adjusted. Good Luck and let us see your project!
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I didnt know there was a "quilting needle". I've got all different needles, but not this one. What is the difference in them?
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Originally Posted by CompulsiveQuilter
ball point needle????? I thought that was only for knits! I use a topstitching needle. No problems yet.
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! |
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