tjradj

I do a bit of ruler work with my Janome Horizon. The only thing is, I can only use the ruler on the left of the foot because the quilting foot is not symmetrical. If I put the ruler on the right side, the side of the foot is in the way and it makes it hard to judge where the ruler should go. THat said, I have used straight and curved edges and had good results. I've even used the lid of a tin (about 1/4" high) as a ruler

Arleners

@ LynnVT Isn't it funny? I feel the same way about Vermont. I guess the mountains are always greener on the other side >

Holice

I don't see how you can move the quilt while holding the ruler with the left. Besides if you are using it quilt a straight line, why not just mark it and use the walking foot. Even gentle curves can be quilted with the walking foot. Appears to me to be just awkward.

paulswalia

I'm not all that familiar with the Sweet 16 but doesn't the fabric stay still while the needle moves? That way you hold the ruler steady and move the needle along side it. That won't work with a domestic machine because it's the opposite, the fabric moves and the needle stays steady. It's the difference between domestic and mid or long arm.

Latrinka

I've never tried FMQ, but if I ever did, I'd want some kind of guide.

maviskw

The house painter contacted you? That doesn't sound good. Just make sure to get references and make sure he is legitimate. Ask about other work he has done in the area.

MaryKatherine

It all depends how much of a lift you have with the FMQ foot (or I'm assuming here, your darning foot). Hand walk your machine through a stitch cycle. If your ruler slides under the foot at any time, it is to thin. But the worse damage you will do is break a needle.
The quilting foot mechanisms on the quilting machines barely rise during the stitch cycle and the foot, for the most part encases the needle completely.
If your machine is good then try it. I do it all the time with my Juki and get perfect straight horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines.

SunlitenSmiles

Is it still free motion quilting if you use a ruler ???? (kidding, sort of) I have used a thick ruler to guide along in small areas with my Singer 301A in quilting mode (hopping foot, dropped feed dogs) but this angel of machines can slow way down to about three stitches a second so absolute control of where the needle enters the fabric is a given.

The Sweet Sixteen is awesome, the newest model that I tried in March has height adjustment for those of us who sew standing and it has a stitch regulator for anyone with problems coordinating the moving of the fabric with the speed of the machine. Would have to rain money for me to ever buy one, but if it did I would.

chaskaquilter

Well, I guess I would have to get a few more bids on the house and go with that. It won't be much fun quilting on your Sweet if the sides of your house are falling off. Oh, I hate it when I am so practical.

LynnVT

Paulswalia, no, you move the fabric, and in the demo it was really easy to just move the ruler along with it. Yes, thank you, will check the painter's company out. It's fairly local. Thank you to others for suggestions on the process. Will see what I can do.