Finally! FMQ Without the Lashing
#31
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Springfield, IL
Posts: 226
I practiced fancy (FMQ?)ruler designs on a flannel rag quilt that is intended for use on the deck and a floor blanket for the baby. It actually was a lot of fun to do. I had about six different rulers, did quilt as you go, and cleaned out the dryer filter at least 6 times to fluff up the seams. Our adult kids all want one... I did try truly FMQing but felt a bit uncoordinated. Some of my practice looked ok, but not enough to try on a quilt I worked hard to piece. One of the difficulties with practicing is that it is often done on a relatively small sandwich so when I went to the larger multi-squared projects I had a hard time moving everything around. The best thing about my "practice" quilts is my family is impressed, doesn't look too closely, and enjoys the warmth of a mother's quilt.
#32
Practice, practice, practice! You are right that is the key. I have become pretty fair at FMQ over the years with no complaints from the Quilt Police. I am getting a new machine shortly for my Grace Frame and hope to be doing a lot of FMQ in the not to distant future.
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 838
Fabric Galore, Really neat idea for FMQ practise. It's a great way to learn muscle memory.
But it lacks the problem of the needle continuously poking the fabric. That causes a tiny catch you have to learn to get used to, or at least that is what I am trying to learn.
My fabric sandwich has never moved that smoothly. I wish it would, as I probably could then follow the graphics lines I have put on the quilt top with a heat erasable pen without any problems.
But it lacks the problem of the needle continuously poking the fabric. That causes a tiny catch you have to learn to get used to, or at least that is what I am trying to learn.
My fabric sandwich has never moved that smoothly. I wish it would, as I probably could then follow the graphics lines I have put on the quilt top with a heat erasable pen without any problems.
My FMQ instantly got better when I quit using the spring foot. Leah Day has a video about how to modify a spring foot: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0LkHjDvzFQw
A ruler foot is also a floating foot. It's not ideal for FMQ because it's so thick it can obstruct your view, but it floats which is what matters. If your machine didn't come with a floating free motion quilt, you might want to invest in the ruler foot so that you can do ruler work in the future if you want.
#34
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
Yes, I'm using the standard darning foot with the spring and bar that goes up over needle bar. I tried the ruler foot on my Janome, but it caused bad lashing.
Can you point me in the direction of what you're talking about. Just not the ruler foot. Thanks
Can you point me in the direction of what you're talking about. Just not the ruler foot. Thanks
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 838
This is the one for my machine:
https://www.husqvarnaviking.com/en-U...oidery-Foot,-R
I also use the Fine Line Clarity ruler foot, especially when I'm doing a combination of ruler and freehand work.
https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/fi...ler-foot.aspx?
If you're getting lashing when using the ruler foot, you likely need to adjust the height of the foot - even half a millimetre higher or lower can affect stitch quality. (You would likely need to lower it)
https://www.husqvarnaviking.com/en-U...oidery-Foot,-R
I also use the Fine Line Clarity ruler foot, especially when I'm doing a combination of ruler and freehand work.
https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/fi...ler-foot.aspx?
If you're getting lashing when using the ruler foot, you likely need to adjust the height of the foot - even half a millimetre higher or lower can affect stitch quality. (You would likely need to lower it)
#36
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
The ruler foot I have was lowered as much as I could, but it wasn't enough.
Also, the bar where the foot attaches on my Janome is different from my Singer and Babylock. So I can't use my Singer or Babylock feet on my Janome.
I'll have to find a list of Janome compatible feet and see if any of them might be useful.
Also, the bar where the foot attaches on my Janome is different from my Singer and Babylock. So I can't use my Singer or Babylock feet on my Janome.
I'll have to find a list of Janome compatible feet and see if any of them might be useful.