sandpat

I'm just wondering if this has happened to any of you or if you have any idea how to solve this problem.

Remember that I have an ANCIENT Singer machine. I bought a walking foot for it and at first it worked great...like magic! Then all of a sudden, I can't adjust the stitch length. I was trying to quilt today and I have the length lever as large as it will go and my stitches are turning out microscopic - about like that size! So tonight..I will try to figure out how to remove all of that mess and start again tomorrow.

If I don't use the foot, my regular foot pushes wrinkles into the top..the only thing I can come up with is to use my embroidery foot and free motion quilt, but I'm trying to do a straight line...I AIN'T that good!!! :(

Country Quilter

The only thing I can think of is maybe the little arm on the walking foot isn't above the needle clamp? I hope you know what I am talking about...its kind of hard to explain .. and I'm not sure if all walking feet are built the same way or not but I know I've put mine on my machine without putting that arm up first and it won't work then.

sandpat

I do know what you are talking about..unfortunately...thats not it. Thanks though

Cathe

Is the problem with your feed dogs or with the feed mechanism of the walking foot. Do you have the same problem if you use a regular sewing foot (I mean right now, if you take off the walking foot and replace it with a regular foot, is your stitch length correct or is it also very small?)

Check the pressure on the presser foot, if you have that adjustment, to make sure it is high enough. Also make sure your feed dogs are engaged. Sometimes, If you have been doing free motion quilting, it's easy to forget to re-adjust those settings afterward.

sandpat

Cathe, I have some of the same problem if I replace the walking foot with the regular foot. It seems like the stitch is somewhat larger and I can adjust it some...but not get it as big as it should be.

I'm not sure I have an adjustment for the pressure on the pressure foot...I'll check and have hubby look tomorrow. I have to cover my feed dogs with a plastic plate...so I know I have taken that off .

Thanks for the advice...hubby will have to look at it..He is very handy to have around :D

Moonpi

I think Cathe is on the right track. On the top of your machine, near where the arm raises, is there a metal pop-up button? Because the walking foot sits higher, it may have over-adjusted.

Cathe

Yes, or it can be a dial control on the left side of the machine, but because your machine is older, my guess is that it's the kind of pop-up button Moonpi describes.

Donna Mae

Look at your walking foot real good. That arm on it that goes up and down, must be resting on top of the screw that you tighten when you put a new needle in.

Did singer say this was the right walking foot for your machine. There's low shank and high shank machines.

Hope this helps.

Simple quilter

sandpat

Well, Cathe I don't have any adjustments to use to adjust the pressure..neither a pop up or a dial.

I looked at the walking foot...no way to adjust that either. It appears that the feed dogs on the foot don't go down far enough to pull the fabric through..but what do I know? It is the correct foot for my machine- a slant shank.

Hubby played with the machine and got the stitches to go bigger..well at least big enough. I am afraid that poor Sally will have to go to the hospital. I'm going to call the repair shop to see.

Thanks for all your help. I ended up doing the quilting free motion. It turned out alright. I'll post pics when I'm done

vicki reno

I have that problem sometimes too. It is usually caused by the drag or weight of the quilt not being supported enough. Sometimes, I have to hold the quilt up off the edge of the cabinet so that there isn't any drag on the quilt. then everything goes smoothly.
Perhaps that is what has happened to you?