ginnie6

Are there just some machines that don't do free motion quilting well? I think I have one! My sewing machine is just not cooperating lately. It needs to go in for service I'm sure but I have to get the $ together first. I've been practicing on a quilt sandwich and was actually happy with my results. I mean its not great but I can definitely live with it. So I decided to start on the pinwheel quilt. DISASTER!! The tensions are all wrong and I have loops on the bottom, then the feed dogs won't raise and now even trying to sid it is messing up. I really need to sew today for my sanity! Maybe its time to get that old treadle out and actually use it?

sandpat

OH no Ginnie...I hate when that happens! What type machine do you have? Maybe someone on here can help you with your specific machine....

ginnie6

I have a 12yo kenmore that does a bunch of stitches and can do embroidery and monograms. It was top of the line in its day. I know that it was made by New Home as the lady who sold it to me was very impressed with that.

sandpat

I don't have that one...if you can change the title of this thread to Help with Kenmore whatever...you might get more hits and find someone who has that machine. Wish I could help you more.

ginnie6

it won't let me edit the post....I could edit my reply but not the original....just one of those days i guess..

Candace

You should be able to manually raise and lower your feed dogs. If it's a similar model to my Janome 9000 there's a slde bar at the back of the machine that you can push to one side or the other.

nativetexan

my feed dogs on my Janome won't come back up until i take a few straight stitches. perhaps your's does the same. scared me at first!
and i have trouble with some quilts and not others. fabric, batting, who knows?

susiequilt

Did you try a general cleaning and oiling?

sharon b

Go back to the basics and start over . Retread the machine take out the bobbin blow in that area , put bobbin back in , change needles. Sometimes they just get cranky :?
So Sorry you are having all these problems

ginnie6

well it apparently was just being cranky! Yes there's a lever at the back to raise lower the feed dogs and they don't come up till you take a stitch.....but I took quite a few stitches and even though the feed dogs were moving it wasn't moving the fabric. I've rethreaded it too many times today. It is doing better now but just as soon as I can it is going for a tuneup. It is way overdue.