Need some quilting help.
 

I know this isn't the quilting section, but I am using a vintage machine :D

I've mentioned a couple times that I'm making a quilt for each of my aunts using my moms HOTHER. I've got the top done on one and 75% done on the other. When the tops are done then we'll put together the batting and backing for both since they are the same size. So once finished I want to quilt them with the HOTHER also. This might be easier said than done.

Last night to test the 15-91 I made a small quilt, put batting in it and muslin on the back side. Today using the Alpha Sew walking foot for straight stitch feet I used the HOTHER to try and quilt it.
Didn't work so good. Unlike the other walking foots I have this one just doesn't seem to want to pull the top with the bottom. And when it hits a seam or a lump it just stalls. I had better luck using the ZZ walking foot on my 66 treadle machine.

So, I removed the WF and tried an old fashioned solid quilting foot. That helped some, but it schootched the top layer to the point it wadded it up on the end. Scratch that.

Now what can I do? I want to use the HOTHER, it's a personal thing. But not being an experienced quilter I'm at a loss of what to try next. This small quilt was made just for this so if I have to rip all the quilting out and try something else, no big deal.

So those that use their vintage machines to quilt with, any suggestions?

Joe

Joe, did you lessen the presserfoot a little with the solid quilting foot.

Nope, didn't even think of it. How much should I lighten it up? Do you think that might help with the walking foot?

Joe

Walking feet can vary widely in quality... I tried several before I found one I liked. I loosen the foot pressure a little when I use a WF.
Even though I have quilted dozens of quilts on old machines, I still have to do a test sandwich beforehand.
If you have a Minkee back, then you will have to adjust more- same for denim. And each batting has different thicknesses, so test sandwiches are the way to go. How does it do with the regular foot?

What is a "Minkee back"? I haven't tried it yet with the regular foot. I'll do that in a bit.

This test quilt is made from the same materials as the big one as far as the top goes. We plan to use the same batting, a polyester batting, and rather than a muslin back we've got a big huge roll of what is either thick soft muslin or flannel. I think more flannel than muslin.

Joe

Oh, what brand of WF did you end up buying and liking?

Joe

Minkee is a supersoft modern fleece material. It is widely used for baby stuff. Most quilts I machine piece have either a minkee, sweatsuit fleece, or polar fleece back because it makes them more snuggly. So my backs are usually 1/4 to 3/8" thick.
I think I have this one- but it is outside in the studio, sleeting outside so I can't verify.

http://shop.sew-classic.com/Low-Shan...tch-P60400.htm

makitmama,

Thanks for the explanation of Minkee. My wife and I just learned something.

That is the WF I just got. I tried it again after loosening the foot tension and it didn't work much if any better.
I also tried the ZZ WF my wife has for her Bernina 930. No idea what brand but it works much better. The walking foot dogs don't match up with the SS feed dogs exactly, but enough that is really grabs and pulls the material. It also has more pronounced teeth on the dogs where as the one from Sew Classic are really fine.

Joe

Yes, unfortunately some brands or generic walking feet are just duds. I haven't had one that I hate, but I can imagine that these generics are sometimes hit or miss. :< I'm sure Jenny would take it back if you're not happy with it. But, I imagine you'll happen upon another machine that you can use it with.

Candace,

Somewhere I saw a listing for a Singer straight stitch WF. I'll be looking for that site. And I'll try the WF from Sew-Classic on a couple machines just to see what it will do. Perhaps it just isn't capable of doing quilts.

Joe