QuiltE

Thanks ... I'll be sure to read my manual before I try that ... and/or call my sewing machine store to check.

Dolphyngyrl

My machine has automatic tension adjuster for fabric thicknesses so I don't mess with tension too often with my walking foot for crosshatching or SITD, For FMQ with the darning foot speed and how fast you are moving the fabric are your tension so again I don't adjust my tension for FMQ and my stitches are fine,I do however adjust my presser foot pressure, and my foot height when FMQ

Tartan

Be careful using a walking foot for decorative stitches. The foot is made to go in advance only. If the decorative stitch goes from side to side or backwards, you can damage the foot.

chairjogger

heh! Thank you all so much !! Will start my adventure on Tuesday !

Ell

quiltinggirl

I agree with Tartan! I have a walking foot that is made to change out the feet that will do decorative stitching (Viking Sapphire 875Q). Unless your machine allows you to switch the feet on your walking foot, be careful when doing stitches other than straight stitches.

PaperPrincess

I also have a Viking and do decorative stitches with my walking foot. I rarely have to change the tension, and only when I change thread types, not feet.

Stitchnripper

I have all mechanical machines and I rarely change tension.

jitkaau

No need to unless you get funny results on your practice sandwich. The look of the stitches will tell you which end needs to be tweeked.

Marion T

I never mess with the tension for either FMQ or the walking foot. I do change the stitch length. On FMQ I reduce the stitch length to zero, and on the walking foot I lengthen it to the next half level.

My machine does allow some zigzag stitches with the walking foot. Check your manual.

peggyquilts

Dolphingirl, what kind of machine do you have? It would be wonderful not to have to change tension when quilting different thicknesses.