Originally Posted by
rachelg
Hi everyone! I have been here sporadically over the years. And have often come here (posting and just reading) for your valuable advice....... I am attempting FMQ for the first time. Have made many, many sandwiches to practice on and I honestly think I have the motion pretty well. Not perfect, but not bad. But my stitches on the back are inconsitent. I don't think it is the tension. It is set at the factory 4 and I have tried moving it...but it seems best at the four. Some of the stitches on the back are fine. Others just a little loop. Any idea of what I am doing wrong? This machine has the foot pedal option and the start/stop button. Stitches seem a little better with the button.
Thank you for any advice you can offer. I have learned so much here and am much appreciative. (Have tried the 505 spray and so far absolutely love it. That is the only part of quilting I do not like...basting.)
Rachel
Rachel,
I also really enjoy having this forum to come to! As for your FMQ stitching issues, I have to share with you that during the few months I was practicing FMQ (on a more $ machine) I was also having problems with my stitch quality. I thought for a time that there were some threads I couldn't use because of skipped stitches and "eyelashes" on the back, especially around curves. My stitches were fine when I put a regular foot on and stitched on the quilt sandwich, everything looked fine. I just kept practicing, and at first only used thread that worked best for me. After I'd been at it for almost a year, I went back and tried some of that "bad" thread, and it worked fine! I think what really happened is that I got much better about being coordinated and steady with my hand motion and foot control speed. So, if your stitch tension is good with a regular foot, then just keep practicing and I believe it WILL get better. Once you get in the zone with your FMQing you may find you really enjoy it too. Have fun with it and don't stress over it.
