The calendar numbers were cut off an old dish towel. I soaked it in oxiclean and it still looks old. I wanted to piece it in but there wasn't much room for seams. The flowers were cut off a doily. The decor fabric scrap was in a care package from another QB member but it just fit the mix. I get a lot of control with that stupid wire hopping foot. There are needles that come with springs and you might try one of them. I think I either ordered one once or bought it at Joann fabrics. That had pretty good control. For control i need to be able to do the opposite of what they tell you for free motion. I run the machine VERY slow and I move slow. I got a bit jerky since I'm right handed. You do beautiful calligraphy. I think the difference is you can not lift the 'pen' like you do in calligraphy. You have to keep moving or do a lot of start and stop. A lot of it makes a difference with good backing materials. If you want to print calligraphy you would have to go over your same lines to get the curlicues. I have a vintage darning foot for my 401 and it has good fine control. I paid a pile of money for it off eBay but it was worth it. But it isn't here and the little wire hopping foot was so I had to test it. I have had two identical machines side by side and one will work better than another for free motion. I've had two hopping feet that look alike and one is good and one I hate. Go figure. At home, my ugly beater Singer 15-75 does just about everything I want very well. It sews through layers of heavy stuff and it does nice free motion. I souped it up with a fast motor and a pop up pressure bar nut. It took so much cleaning and oiling that it sews nice and fast now. Try to find an old all metal machine that looks like it has been beat nearly to death then breathe it back to life. I have found the machines that have been truly used are the best. I don't know why - they are usually very ugly, very cheap, decals are worn not scrubbed, if stored badly finish can be scuzzy and brown. They can be a lot of work or they can clean up pretty easily, you never can judge how that will go. I have an ugly Singer 99 HC Mercy likes to grab. The wiring was shot and the decals worn and scrubbed. Pin scratches all over the place but she hand cranks real sweet.
Last edited by miriam; 12-17-2016 at 07:42 PM.