Experience with universal spring needle for FMQ??
Yeah or nay? Your personal techniques using? How many use on average per queen-size quilt using cotton top, back, and batting for sandwich?
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I tried one briefly many years ago, but abandoned it because I was afraid of sewing through a finger.
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They look like this for those not familiar, http://www.schmetzneedles.com/catego...ing-Needles-13
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Originally Posted by Prism99
(Post 6882451)
I tried one briefly many years ago, but abandoned it because I was afraid of sewing through a finger.
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What kind of machine do you have? Most of us use a darning foot for FMQ. There are two types, I think. Mine is a "jumping" foot -- has a spring in it so when needle goes up, foot also lifts a little to allow easy sliding of the quilt. The other type is a "floating" foot -- no spring, and just floats a little higher than a regular foot, again to allow easy sliding of the quilt.
If you Google "sewing machine foot for free motion quilting" and then click on "images", you will see what this type of foot looks like for different machines. |
Originally Posted by Prism99
(Post 6882482)
What kind of machine do you have? Most of us use a darning foot for FMQ. There are two types, I think. Mine is a "jumping" foot -- has a spring in it so when needle goes up, foot also lifts a little to allow easy sliding of the quilt. The other type is a "floating" foot -- no spring, and just floats a little higher than a regular foot, again to allow easy sliding of the quilt.
If you Google "sewing machine foot for free motion quilting" and then click on "images", you will see what this type of foot looks like for different machines. |
I've used one for free motion embroidery - this was before stabilizers and you used a hoop which kept the needle away from the fingers. It isn't as easy as it's made out to be - you would be better off with the hopping foot or Leah Day's version of the foot using rubber bands.
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Originally Posted by Weezy Rider
(Post 6882866)
I've used one for free motion embroidery - this was before stabilizers and you used a hoop which kept the needle away from the fingers. It isn't as easy as it's made out to be - you would be better off with the hopping foot or Leah Day's version of the foot using rubber bands.
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Originally Posted by Prism99
(Post 6882451)
I tried one briefly many years ago, but abandoned it because I was afraid of sewing through a finger.
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I used one on a White Treadle. It worked pretty well. I wasn't worried about sewing over my finger because I couldn't go really super fast using a treadle. It seemed no different than a hopping foot to me.
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I did some Googling to see if there is a darning foot for the White Family Rotary treadle, but it looks like the top clamping mechanism is not compatible with a darning foot. I think you would be okay using a spring needle with a treadle machine, as you have much greater control over speed than I had with my electric machine. I would probably purchase 2 or 3 spring needles to start with. They really should not break with use, even on a queen-size quilt; however, it may take some practice for you to learn to time moving with the quilt so that you do not add bending stress to the needle.
Someone on the Vintage Machines portion of this forum may have additional advice for you. Might want to check out that section. I looked for Youtube videos of someone using a spring needle, but couldn't find one. |
Here's a video - she is doing thread painting but using a spring needle. Same would apply for FMQ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjmygjM7PUY |
Originally Posted by Mitch's mom
(Post 6883040)
I used one on a White Treadle. It worked pretty well. I wasn't worried about sewing over my finger because I couldn't go really super fast using a treadle. It seemed no different than a hopping foot to me.
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Here is a demonstration of the needle being used; different language but no words necessary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCQoF5Wt0tc
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Lookie what I found! Scroll down to the darning and free motion quilting stuff. There is a spring to use with any needle instead of purchasing the spring/needle disposable combo. There is an attachment that moves the fabric side to side for zig zig. Unfortunately, it is sold out. Quite a bit of info in the product descriptions. http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....re/page45.html
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