Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Stitch Length >
  • Stitch Length

  • Stitch Length

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 05-11-2010, 12:46 PM
      #1  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Rexene's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Richland, MI
    Posts: 254
    Default

    I'm machine quilting a quilt (Downey, Quilt for kids) for the first time. I was told to set my stitch length at 3.0. Now that I look at it, it seems like the stitches are too close together. I only have the borders left to quilt; do I use the same stitch length I started with or use a longer one? What stitch length do you use for sewing machine quilting?
    Rexene is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 12:54 PM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2009
    Posts: 5,453
    Default

    finish with what you started (the stitch length).
    i usually set mine to 3.0 for doing quilting in straight lines.
    i think that my default stitch length is shorter than that on my machine.
    watterstide is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 01:02 PM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Posts: 15,639
    Default

    CHanging it for one section might be noticeable. I would finish how you started. I usually change my stitch from 2.5 to 3 also for SID quilting and that is a good length for me.
    MadQuilter is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 01:08 PM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Location: MS
    Posts: 3,434
    Default

    I like to stitch on 5. Would that be a reason I am breaking needles or am I just hoping for a quick fix?
    dsb38327 is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 01:09 PM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    kwiltkrazy's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Location: Mapleton, Oregon
    Posts: 5,922
    Default

    Finish it how you started it. A lot of the time the stitching length is controlled by how fast your moving the material under the needle. Are you using a walking foot? Next time you start a project to quilt, make yourself a sample sandwich, and check all those things out. I always do this, I make a 9x9 sandwich, and quilt this to practice and check everything out, then I have a nice potholder, I save them up and give them as christmas gifts. Check out daystyledesigns.com she has a lot of info on her site.
    kwiltkrazy is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 01:10 PM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Location: MS
    Posts: 3,434
    Default

    I like to stitch on 5. Would that be a reason I am breaking needles or am I just hoping for a quick fix?
    dsb38327 is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 01:11 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: Outer Space
    Posts: 9,319
    Default

    Originally Posted by dsb38327
    I like to stitch on 5. Would that be a reason I am breaking needles or am I just hoping for a quick fix?
    Could be...5 is very long. I like 2.5 -3 for quilting and for piecing around 2ish.
    Candace is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 01:11 PM
      #8  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Posts: 15,639
    Default

    Originally Posted by dsb38327
    I like to stitch on 5. Would that be a reason I am breaking needles or am I just hoping for a quick fix?
    Not sure why stitch length should lead to needle breakage. Are you forcing the fabric through? Are you using needles that are too thin? Are you using a walking foot? The only time I break needles is when they hit something they shouldn't.
    MadQuilter is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 01:39 PM
      #9  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Rexene's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Richland, MI
    Posts: 254
    Default

    Originally Posted by kwiltkrazy
    Finish it how you started it. A lot of the time the stitching length is controlled by how fast your moving the material under the needle. Are you using a walking foot? Next time you start a project to quilt, make yourself a sample sandwich, and check all those things out. I always do this, I make a 9x9 sandwich, and quilt this to practice and check everything out, then I have a nice potholder, I save them up and give them as christmas gifts. Check out daystyledesigns.com she has a lot of info on her site.
    This is a good idea. I do my piecing at 2.0 stitch length and I did the quilting at 3.0. I just thought the stitches looked to short at 3.0. I was using my regular 1/4 inch piecing foot and stitched on my marked, straight lines, kind of a cross-hatch. I just checked my user's guide for my Viking Designer SE and it does not show a walking foot as coming with my machine. If I'm just following straight lines, I don't have to have the feed dogs down, do I?
    Rexene is offline  
    Old 05-11-2010, 02:07 PM
      #10  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Nov 2007
    Location: SW Iowa
    Posts: 32,855
    Default

    For straight lines I would leave the feed dogs up. It's the same stitch length I use. I wouldn't change it now.
    littlehud is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Beautiful_Sound
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    6
    12-01-2015 11:07 AM
    BirdyFeathers
    Main
    7
    05-14-2013 01:42 PM
    Ann K
    Main
    3
    12-12-2010 03:18 PM
    moonhoney2
    Main
    13
    05-30-2008 07:06 PM

    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