Ask the experts
10-27-2014, 10:29 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 757
I'm not doing FMQ. Just using a built in stitch. It has a little bit of a swirl to it. It would be ok if it stretched some, but it is totally getting out of shape.
The batting is polyester. I actually thought of that. But I buy the batting in huge rolls at a discount to use for charity quilts. The thing is I've been using it for years.
I really think I have a lemon of a machine. It has caused me nothing but grief. Sucking the joy out of quilting. There are days I'm ready to throw it out the window. today is one of them.
The batting is polyester. I actually thought of that. But I buy the batting in huge rolls at a discount to use for charity quilts. The thing is I've been using it for years.
I really think I have a lemon of a machine. It has caused me nothing but grief. Sucking the joy out of quilting. There are days I'm ready to throw it out the window. today is one of them.
My straight quilting goes great as long as I don't try to cross my previous quilting.
Just yesterday, a friend that learned of my dilemma, suggested that the problem may be the quilting foot...it may not be working quite right. I plan to buy a new walking foot to test this theory.
10-27-2014, 11:37 AM
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 673
The problem you are having.....I have it all the time with polyester backing. I don't often buy cotton batting.
My straight quilting goes great as long as I don't try to cross my previous quilting.
Just yesterday, a friend that learned of my dilemma, suggested that the problem may be the quilting foot...it may not be working quite right. I plan to buy a new walking foot to test this theory.
My straight quilting goes great as long as I don't try to cross my previous quilting.
Just yesterday, a friend that learned of my dilemma, suggested that the problem may be the quilting foot...it may not be working quite right. I plan to buy a new walking foot to test this theory.
At this point I'm afraid to try anything I care about for fear some new weird thing would start happening with the machine or the results. It's one thing to have these things happen to donation quilts, but another entirely for it to happen on a big project.
10-27-2014, 11:47 AM
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Saskatoon SK Canada
Posts: 280
I think it is your walking foot. I believe that they were meant only for straight stitching and were not meant to go backwards, or side to side. I would try taking it off and putting on a regular type foot to see what happens.
10-27-2014, 11:54 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
Posts: 1,063
Have you tried increasing your stitch length? That helps me sometimes with the deco stitches on a quilt. Go up to 3 or even 4. Also push the top layer of fabric back slightly all the time to keep it from stretching so much. I think the poly batting is too thick and stretchy for most deco stitches. This happens to me all the time, because I like to do special stitches on my charity quilts! Remember, the recipient of the quilt will never know or care about the bunching. Good luck!
10-27-2014, 11:57 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Holland, PA
Posts: 4,157
I have a Viking Rose. I almost never use a straight stitch to quilt with the walking foot. The #17 stitch I use takes nips to alternating sides every couple stitches, but does not go backwards. Are you using an extension table? It helps to have a large flat surface. My machine sets in a cabinet/table so I am able to hand stretch & guide the quilt as it is being stitched. I also pin the sandwich & only remove a pin if it is in the path of the needle.
10-27-2014, 12:04 PM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hernando FL
Posts: 1,662
The walking foot has feet on the top that feed the fabric forward at the same time as the feeddogs on the bottom feed the fabric from the bottom. I would think that any stitch that has any sideway or back motion to it would be fighting against the walking foot. I would try the decorative stitch without the walking foot and see what happens.
10-28-2014, 03:55 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
Whenever I use the walking foot I lower the foot pressure by 1 or 2 numbers.....it actually stated that in the directions that were included w/foot....
10-28-2014, 06:08 AM
#29
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 98
I enrolled in an online class at Craftsy called Creative Quilting with Your Walking Foot by Jacquie Gerig and she used her walking foot to do some decorative stitches. (simple decorative stitches and waves) She stressed to go slow. The class was awesome!
10-28-2014, 06:25 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,333
i took that same class and I agree! Loved it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
marsye
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
14
03-20-2010 10:03 AM
