advice please/ free motion quilting
 

Hello,
I'm hoping to find advice about free motion quilting. I used to use an old Brother machine and for the most part it worked nicely. I was given a Viking "Lily" that is computerized and have made several art quilts with it. But, it doesn't move smooth as butter, like I've seen other machines move. The feed dogs are down, yet no matter the speed, it has a slight "ker-chunk" feel to it. I recently had it serviced and it is running fine, but when I've watched videos online, I can tell that those machines are moving without any drag whatsoever. I'm wondering if I need to upgrade to a better machine? If so, what price range/or machine would be good?

I'm willing to save a little while, if that is what the problem is. I guess that is my main question, is the slight clunky feel from an inferior machine, or is it my user error? I've been free motion quilting for several years now, so I'm thinking maybe it's not "just me". My thoughts are that the machine shouldn't drag at all.

Try spraying or rather polishing the area where the quilt goes, as it may be this surface may be sticky to the fabric.
now adays plenty of machines on the market juki do a range which are not too pricey but janome brother and others also offer excellent workhorses.

Did you take it to a Viking service/dealer? If so check with them & see if you could take a quilting class. My viking dealer offers many classes and when having any issues I've found that's the best way to deal with it. They see what problem you are having and either teach you what to do differently or what you may need to make it better.

What exactly do you mean by 'drag'? If the needle isn't out of the fabric yet and you try and move it, it will catch. This means that you are moving the fabric too quickly, or running the machine a too low a speed. If it's physically dragging on the machine bed, polishing it or using a super slider may help. And finally, Viking makes a hopping foot. I would see if it is available for your model. There is a special setting you have to use with it and I'm not sure if the Lily has this available.

Can you take pressure Off the presses foot? This helps the material glide smoothly Just remember to mark where the mark is so when you do regular sewing the pressure is correct

I usually find drag is cause by no support for the weight of the quilt hanging over the edge of a table. I bought my Bernina 1530 for under $1,000 and back in the 90s. My baby won me many awards for my quilts when I was in competition. I am still piecing and quilting with her.

By "drag", I mean it feels like it stops for a very small fraction of a second. When I took it to my quilt shop for service, afterward I tried to show one of their teachers what I meant. She said that it is running fine. I am using a super slider and it doesn't look like the needle is catching. I bought a free motion foot that was for the viking. When I've used my old Brother machine, it doesn't do this. But that machine is a much lower quality machine.

I just tried lowering the presser foot pressure. It feels about the same. The stitching is smooth, but if you watch my hands, it looks as if they are vibrating. Wondering if it is just the quality of the machine? Maybe I'm being too picky?

You might want to save up for a Juki to do free motion quilting (about $1,000). Not every machine is going to be perfect for FMQ. It may just be that the Viking you have is great for other things, but not so great for FMQ. The Juki is great for piecing (has no zigzag or decorative stitches) and for FMQ.

The thing that comes to my mind is that it may stitch less than 800 stitches per minute. Where a longarm starts at about 1500 spm and goes up to 3200 spm. If you could find a domestic machine that stitches faster, that may help. There are semi-industrial machines that work great for that, like a Juki 98Q, 2000 or 2010.

Thanks Annette,
I'll look into that. :)

The vibration could be from your table. The white tables they sell now as work tables vibrate TERRIBLY. I like the old fake wood top tables. Those things were stable. Also I get that Kerchunk sound when I need a new needle. Free motion often takes a sturdier needle as you are putting stress on it that it does not get when you are sewing straight with feed dogs up. Just 2 things to consider. And remember! Everytime you tackle an issue with your freemotion quilting, you are learning to TROUBLESHOOT! (that little nugget gets me over ALOT Of issues!) Good luck!

I don't know for sure what you are experiencing, but I do know the weight of the quilt causes drag for me and I have to stop alot and reposition the quilt. The quilt gets hung up pulling and pushing - both ways. Mainly because I don't have a good set up. Some people hear have shown their set ups that are awesome. PVC pipes holding up the quilt. Some day I may get to try that. I have also found that I don't use the pedal any more. I could not stay consistent with my speed using my foot. I use the on off button - then the speed is consistent.

I just got a Ruby Deluxe and found the same problem...that oh so slight drag that makes all the difference. I felt like I was back to square one on free motion, I resolved the problem by reducing the presser foot pressure {now that is a mouthful } from six to five or ever lower if I have a really fat quilt sandwich. Look in the manual for what screen to go to...I find it is a bit of a poke here or there, I can never find it the same way twice it seems. It does really help with smoothing out the process. Also, I find the Viking screens are super sensitive and in the process of moving the quilt about if it touches the screen you can pop into another stitch just like that. Find the lock screen and do use it with every sewing session. Believe me this can stop an " oh $#!? what now " moment.
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Can't you use Leah Day's floating foot tweak?
http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...tion-foot.html

You can find a cheap plastic foot to try.

I've used both. The tweak worked fairly well with a Brother PQ 1500, but the Juki 2010 prefers the hopping foot and is easier to sync hands and machine.