Can I machine quilting with my regular sewing machine?
12-05-2010, 07:00 PM
#51
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: West Roxbury, Ma
Posts: 10,353
Yes you can, You need to make some adjustments to your machine and sometimes it is hard depending what size quilt you are making but it you take your time and not rush it it is a rewarding experence and less expensive than sending it out or quilting by hand.
04-10-2011, 04:57 PM
#52
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
Even if the feed dogs won't drop...you can improvise a cover for them. a small piece of cardboard (a playing card, or back of a tablet) taped over the feed dogs will work, so will a piece of plastic from a lid. It will make noise, but will let you quilt. You may or may not have a darning foot...you should have one, but can do without, but must remember to put the foot lever down even without a foot. Without a foot you really have to watch the needle...don't want to sew your fingers...that hurts & yes, I have done that!
Most Kenmores came with a darning foot...you can buy them...just buy for the shank you need (high, low, slanted).
Patsy Thompson has some good videos on this. Some are on youtube.
Most Kenmores came with a darning foot...you can buy them...just buy for the shank you need (high, low, slanted).
Patsy Thompson has some good videos on this. Some are on youtube.
04-10-2011, 05:12 PM
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: La Grande, OR
Posts: 2,457
Originally Posted by janb
Originally Posted by ktbb
the key is finding out if your feed dogs will drop...some of the old ones have that feature. Check your manual on this. Even if they don't drop, you can try setting your stitch length to zero, and putting masking tape over the feed dogs...this allow you to have control over the movement of the fabric. These options address the bottom of the quilting sandwich.
In either case, you will also need to have a machine quilting foot that puts less/no tension on the fabric from the top. These feet are called either quilting feet or darning feet...Sears should have them, and there are some generic feet out there that will work as well....one brand is called "Big Foot", but don't know names of others.
In either case, you will also need to have a machine quilting foot that puts less/no tension on the fabric from the top. These feet are called either quilting feet or darning feet...Sears should have them, and there are some generic feet out there that will work as well....one brand is called "Big Foot", but don't know names of others.
04-12-2011, 04:35 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Groton, NY
Posts: 408
I free motion quilt with my Kenmore. Tape a thin sheet of plastic, like template plastic over the feed dogs if they don't drop, then loosen the pressure on the presser foot--the knob at the top turns to tighten or loosen pressure. Lower the presser foot and it should allow the fabric to move without tugging hard, but still provide a little tension. Run the machine a bit on the fast side as you move the quilt around. (Try this with a sample piece of sandwiched fabric and batting to practice. You may have to adjust the tension a little bit.)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Luv2quilt49
Main
23
12-29-2014 04:06 AM
bookgirl
Main
53
08-01-2012 09:32 PM
bearisgray
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
11
05-23-2011 04:37 AM
ButtercreamCakeArtist
Main
13
07-11-2007 07:19 PM
