Silly FMQ Issue: I can't see where I'm going! (if following a pattern)
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 538
Silly FMQ Issue: I can't see where I'm going! (if following a pattern)
I finally put my darning foot and plate on my machine yesterday, and practiced some FMQ. I think I actually might like this! After trying some meandering and loop-dee-loops, I used my clover pen to mark the fabric to try following a pattern. I hate to say it, but I must be the president of the I-D-Ten-T club, because I kept losing my place when the direction shifted (I liken it to trying to highlight a textbook going left-to-right if you're right handed or right-to-left if your a lefty). I couldn't see the pattern beyond the shank/needle/foot.
I was keeping a decent speed with my pedal (it wasn't a pretty site if I was going too slow), but keeping my speed AND my place on the pattern was becoming a problem. Any tips?
I was keeping a decent speed with my pedal (it wasn't a pretty site if I was going too slow), but keeping my speed AND my place on the pattern was becoming a problem. Any tips?
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
Posts: 7,014
My darning foot was a closed metal circle. I cut it in half so it is now open. It has helped me see where I'm going much better, but I do still get lost at times. I've also drawn my lines with arrows on them so I'd know where to go next.
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 538
Ooo- Just found this. Heard of several ppl (incl. Lisa above) who had cut their closed-toe foot (link)...
And maybe...I'll have to check into getting this for my machine. (picture)..hope it's compatible with it... it's at the same link.
http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/how-to-modify-a-quilting-or-darning-foot.html
[ATTACH=CONFIG]406847[/ATTACH]
And maybe...I'll have to check into getting this for my machine. (picture)..hope it's compatible with it... it's at the same link.
http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/how-to-modify-a-quilting-or-darning-foot.html
[ATTACH=CONFIG]406847[/ATTACH]
Last edited by Teeler; 04-08-2013 at 10:00 AM.
#7
As others have said I have cut my FMQ foot so that it's open in front, but what really helped me is as Tartan said, keeping the line in front of the needle. Sometimes that means stopping more frequently to reposition the quilt, but it makes a huge difference in my outcome.
By the way, there was nothing silly about that question!!
By the way, there was nothing silly about that question!!
Last edited by JulieR; 04-08-2013 at 11:46 AM.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
A little trick.... try "following the line" like you would drive a car. In other words, you look way up the road to see what's ahead rather than looking immediately off the hood of the car to see the road when you steer the car.
In quilting, know where the line is going and take your fabric that direction rather than expecting your needle to hit exactly on the line behind or to the side of the needle. Look ahead at the line rather than the needle.
Jan in VA
In quilting, know where the line is going and take your fabric that direction rather than expecting your needle to hit exactly on the line behind or to the side of the needle. Look ahead at the line rather than the needle.
Jan in VA
#9
I do the same as Jan in VA. Look way ahead like when driving. I am new (started last year) to FMQ and having issues also. One being able to follow lines in a pattern. I have a babylock symphony machine and can set the speed of my sewing. This helps. I can concentrate on moving my hands at a constant speed. This way I am able to keep my stitches smooth and neat. Practice - practice - practice. This is everyone's advice but I have found that I can only really advance my skills when working on an actual quilt. My practice pieces look great but everything changes when I actually try to put my quilting on an actual quilt top. fitting stitches into a specific shape and backgrounds is a different story. So by the time I have mastered FMQ I probably will have several quilts "hiding" in the bottom of my quilt cupboard....
#10
I do the same as Jan and crazy thread, look ahead. Actually, I am far better following a pattern. I really enjoy SITD with FMQ. I am hoping with lots more practice, I will be comfortable with FMQ without lines.
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