Can I fmq on my little machine?
 

Hi everyone, I have a question about my sewing machine. I really want to fmq on my little Viking sewing machine but the space between the machine and needle is 5.5". Do you thing I could do it well or am I going to be banging my head against the wall?
Should to have a long throat machine to fmq properly?
I get some people are MacGyvers and could probably do it with a tin can, a needle and a stick of bubblegum but I'm not so gifted and I want to know if it will be simple or a waste of my time.
Thanks and I hope you all have a great weekend.

I know a woman that quilted a very large quilt on a small machine. I'm sure it was challenging, but she did it. You might research quilting in sections. It might be easier for you. This book is very helpful.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...ctions+book.do

I FMQ on my FW- just not large projects. I did a 90x90 on my Janome 11000 and it was not done in sections. I am working on one right now in sections and then will put them together. Use what you have- if there is a will there is a way.

I put my 'small' machine on my quilt frame and quilt king size quilts. As I roll the quilt on the take up bar, the quilting area gets smaller and smaller - okay for meandering. So I'd say YES.

I have FMQ a large quilt on my regular sewing machine, so it is possible but not easy. As long as you aren't planning to do any kind of 'design' in the quilting that requires turning the quilt around in the middle of the design, you will be able to do it. One thing I discovered - when you are FMQ you don't HAVE to move the quilt from the front of the machine to the back. There are times when I had difficulty fitting the quilt wadded up in the small space so I quilted 'backwards' - bringing the quilt from the back of the machine to the front.

So far I haven't actually done any FMQ. However I've done SID and wavy diagonal cross hatching with my Featherweight. The largest I've done is just about a twin size but is a couch throw. I have a large twin in the works that I will be doing eventually.

What size quilt are you wanting to do? For wall hangings, table toppers, place mats, tree skirt, baby quilts, lap quilts and throws you should be ok. But the larger it is the more difficult it will be with such a small opening. I don't think I would even attempt a queen or king size on that machine.

I think I would measure the circumference of the entire opening you have to work with. Then roll up the quilt you want to do and see if you have any actual maneuvering space left. That should give you your answer.

I second the advice about machine quilting in sections, and I highly recommend the book by Marti Michell, but buy it at Amazon - much cheaper. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...ec%2Caps%2C283.

You could probably swing it if you did the batting in sections. there are books about doing it in sections so you don't have as much under you arm making it more managable. Its not impossible but you are probably going to have to get creative in your methods

There's no such word as "CAN'T" .......... and do not let anyone ever tell you that it's impossible!

Start with something small, such as a placemat to help you get comfortable with FMQing, then increase your size upwards. Yes, the throat space is somewhat limiting as it is difficult to stuff the bulk of a quilt thru and you will eventually max out. As you increase your quilt size, you will get more confident in the how to's and develop your own system and technique .................. and if you get hooked, you'll be ready to jump to a larger throated machine! :)

Remember CANada starts with CAN .... so YES you CAN!! :)

(Welcome McKayzie, from another fellow Ontarian! :))

The biggest I've done FMQ on my dinky mechanical Brother is twin size. I did an all over meander. Very doable. I also did a king size STID on that machine. Parts of it were challenging but still doable.