FMQ Tension Problems
02-08-2015, 05:11 AM
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
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FMQ Tension Problems
There have been so many discussions here on the QB about having problems with tension when FMQing. Here is a video that has some very good advice
http://24blocks.com/2015/02/tension-...problems-.html
http://24blocks.com/2015/02/tension-...problems-.html
02-09-2015, 05:32 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 1,926
You should not be messing with the tension unless you know absolutely sure that is your problem when FMQ.
First, sew a straight line on a quilt sandwich or along side your quilt. If your stitches are good, you do not have a tension issue. If your stitches are not good, top or bottom....THEN you have tension problems. If you have eyelashes on the back of your quilt on curves, you hands are moving faster than your machine. Speed up your machine or slow down on your hand movement. It does take practice. If you do have tension problems when testing, normally it is the bobbin tension. Some machines, like the Janome have a "blue Dot" bobbin holder....it is for FMQ. It works great, but is not necessary if you get the feel of your FMQ and machine. Some quilters like using the Bobbin washers...they say they help...never tried them. Just make sure the issue is the tension before messing with the upper or lower tension. Once you start messing with the tenion, you will be spending more time on the tensions than quilting. Do that straight stitching first to see if you have a good stitch.
First, sew a straight line on a quilt sandwich or along side your quilt. If your stitches are good, you do not have a tension issue. If your stitches are not good, top or bottom....THEN you have tension problems. If you have eyelashes on the back of your quilt on curves, you hands are moving faster than your machine. Speed up your machine or slow down on your hand movement. It does take practice. If you do have tension problems when testing, normally it is the bobbin tension. Some machines, like the Janome have a "blue Dot" bobbin holder....it is for FMQ. It works great, but is not necessary if you get the feel of your FMQ and machine. Some quilters like using the Bobbin washers...they say they help...never tried them. Just make sure the issue is the tension before messing with the upper or lower tension. Once you start messing with the tenion, you will be spending more time on the tensions than quilting. Do that straight stitching first to see if you have a good stitch.
Last edited by Lady Diana; 02-09-2015 at 05:34 AM.
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