even on the new machine - yesterday and a little bit this morning I have tried machine quilting SID around the border of one of my quilts. I tried with and without the even foot, even tried using the quilting stitches (I have a Brother SQ9000) and even just the regular straight stitch. I kept having to use the ripper and remove the stitching.. Jack the Ripper even attacked me a few times. I do not know what I am doing wrong, which is probably everything. So I decided that I will just continue to piece by machine and bind using the machine, but the rest will be hand quilted. I thought I would try machine quilting so I can get some of the quilts done faster, but not working out... Plus even if I did get it to work, I would still hand quilt most projects anyway. Thanks for letting me vent.... :)

What is it that you don't like and are ripping out? Have you tried a stitch in the ditch foot? You're probably being too hard on yourself. Once the quilt is washed, most of what you perceive as imperfections aren't so noticeable!

Usually when I start something new I give it more than a day and a half before I decide to quit. Make some smaller things and practice! You wouldn't expect to be Rembrandt the first time you picked up a paintbrush!!

Hey Joanie, don't give up! I still really enjoy hand quilting, but it sure is nice to be able to whip out a quilt a lot faster on the machine. I use all vintage machines, and have practiced enough to be able to fm quilt on my treadle. Make yourself a bunch of little quilt sandwiches from leftover fabric & batting and practice practice practice. Once you get the hang of it, it's a lot of fun.

it takes practice, no one can just sit down and machine quilt a whole quilt first off. you should start with small projects, like pot holders or placemats when you have mastered those then move up to a wallhanging and keep practicing...working your way up to a whole quilt. it just takes practice

The stitches look too small and look like they are all crumped together plus I am not able to keep the stitches in the ditch. It just looks too messy - I am trying it on the quilt I am making for myself.

Now, your are probably right - I should start with a pot holder then maybe I can figure it out. I guess the 2 I am working on now I will just finish them with hand quilting. I just want to be able to do some quilts for family a little faster.

Does your machine have a way to increase the pressure on the presser foot?

It sounds like there's not enough pressure to move the fabric through the feed dogs.

You guys are right, I do need to start out with something small or just make small quilt sandwiches and practice. I am just a little impatient when it comes to certain things, thinking I can do it all right away.

Not sure - its suppose to adjust the pressure automatically, but I need to read up on that. Plus isn't that what the evenfoot (walking foot) does? I will check that out thanks.

The even feed puts traction on the top layer to make it move at the same rate as the bottom layer. If there isn't enough pressure on the presser bar, it won't do much good - it will just make sure that you are applying those teeny tiny stitches evenly to all layers. ;)

I only have a couple of computerized machines, so I'm not up on all the latest technology - but I think there are a lot of things that human judgement can do a lot better than a computer can. If you can override that automatic sensor's input and increase the pressure, your stitches are probably going to lengthen nicely. :)

Could it be too much pressure and the quilt is being 'squished' and not able to move forward???

I got a Innivis 4500D Duetta on the weekend and tried FMQ for the first time yesterday on some scrap material. When I was done I showed my DH and he just laughed and said "What the heck is that!". I have to admit it was a mess. Looked like a 2 year old scribble, but by the sounds of it, the key to mastering this is "practice!"
Don't give up Joanieu and know that I will be practicing along with you!

We can do it!!!!

It sure could.

I didn't really take the computer factor into consideration. Humans tend to put too little pressure, but it might not be the same for a sensor. :)

I don't think computerized machines even have stitches per inch settings any more, do they? My computer-machines don't. They have settings like 1.5 or 2.0 - I have no clue as to how many stitches per inch that's supposed to be.

With all my other machines, I set the machine to do the number of stitches that I want it to do, then I sew some scraps that are similar in thickness and type and count the number of stitches per inch.

If there are more than I want, I increase the pressure. If there are less than I want, I decrease the pressure.

I wouldn't have a clue as to how to fix that problem with the Brother or the Futura - use a higher number for one problem and a lower for the other?

You mentioned this to me after I tried my hand at machine binding. I love it!!!

Don't give up! Just put the idea aside for a while until you start thinking "maybe I should give it a try again".

Then, my only suggestion would be - get some prequilted, one-color fabric, I usually find some in the remnant bin - and use that to practice on. That way you have all 3 plies already together and you won't be practicing on anything that can get wrecked or that you will need to pull the stitches out of. Use a contrasting thread in the top and bobbin area so you can easily see your stitches and have at it! Draw lines on the fabric with chalk, or pen, who cares, if you want something to follow.

Did you lengthen your stitch length?

Sounds to me like your stitches are too tiny. I change mine from 2.5 to at least 3 or 3.5. Try some sample scraps to see if it travels easier.

When I first started SID, I jokingly referred to it as "meandering around the ditch" (MID) lol It takes practice. For now, until you get good, try using thread that blends into your fabric. Remeber, you are so close to your stitches that right now you see only mistakes. Trust us old shoes when we tell you that a FINISHED and WASHED quilt will look MUCH different. Many if not most of the "bad" SID will be pulled into the seams and evened out in the wash. Don't give up.

IF your seams pucker, then you did not have the sandwich taut enough. The backing must be very taut (but not overstretched) and both batting and top must be as flat on the backing as possible. I pin baste about palm-width apart. No more puckers!

you have to increse your stitch for stitch in the ditch.

FMQ does take practice practice

Joan - you can bring it with you to my house soon and we can practice. It takes time. SOunds like you need to adjust your machine too. The lady at Sew Krazee on Pearl Street, Naomi would help you if you took it in. SHe is nice that way. Otherwise, all I can say is practice. If it was that easy we could all do it. ROFL> DOn't give up the ship. *H*U*G*S*

I felt like a 2 year old the first few times I tried it too! I does take a lot of practice, so make some practice sandwiches about 15" square or so, then spend 1/2 hour practicing every day for a couple of weeks at least before you decide whether FMQ is for you or not. Taking a class after I had practiced on my own for awhile really helped also. I still feel like I'm pretty new at it, but I've been at it for almost a year. Now I am at the point that I am confident that I can do a combo of stitch in the ditch and free motion on "real quilts". (Our cat is sleeping on my practice sandwiches :lol:

I can't stitch in the ditch to save my life. So I don't-I echo quilt, usually. I also use a longer stitch length than normal. About a 3 or so on my machine.

thanks you guys... I have my stitch at 3.0 then I changed it to 3.5 and I think it is just me. I will practice and practice after work.

Debbie - thanks for letting me know about Sew Karzee - you know I have not been in that store yet... I went by it one day with DH and it was closed (Skip was happy). Let me know when you have time for us to get together again. I would be greatful to be able to come over. I also talked to Nita and might go over there this Saturday...

Well gotta get back to work.. thank you all for your tips and encouragements - gosh do I need them when I am starting something new... :)

The last quilt I just finished FMQ has lots of places where the stitches jumped and are bigger than they need be but since it is for a baby and will be washed a lot I didn't worry about it as my niece will be happy no matter what it is like. One thing please---do you need to wash your finished quilts after they are sewn? and why when it will be dirty almost right away?

A few things I've seen mentioned, mostly for FM quilting is to practice on fabric with lines or plaids.Try a fabric that has gentle swirls or a large print...same idea for all, to get you comfy at practice.
I make squares of backing,batting & top fabric to practice FM quilting on,mine are usually at least 18"sq.Using the hopping foot,regular tension....it works pretty good.One thing....for me, it takes a lot of time.More than I'd use for bed size quilts.But not a prob as I don't make many big quilts anymore.
Forgot to say, this is a good use of fabric you'd rather be rid of.

I just started taking lessons and the gal told me to practice with pencil and paper the designs I wanted to make...over and over to help get them in "my head". I have not started on the FMQ yet but hope to in the next round of lessons. Good luck to you...Allow yourself the same patience you would give to someone else.

Judi

Practice always helps with everything. I am not that good at it. I was told when doing SID to put your sewing machine on a very slight zig zag stitch, that way when you sew, it is not as noticable it you go out of the ditch

Oh, THAT'S my problem. I started backwards.

Oh, THAT'S my problem. I started backwards.

When it comes to doing SID, I find that alot has to do with how well you baste your quilt sandwich. I pin baste using the Harriet Hargrave method. Make sure the backing fabric is taut, the batting and pieced top is smooth and then leave no more than 3" between pins. Using a longer stitch length (I like 3.0), anchor your piece first by doing SID both horizontally and vertically, as close to the center of the quilt as possible. Then work from center out with the rest iof your SID, sewing slow & steady. You definitely need to use a dual feed/"walking" foot to do successful SID. I hope this helps.

Don't give up! It just takes awhile and some practice to get the "feel" of it. But it's worth the investment of time to learn and practice and gets us on to the next project quicker!

Joanie,
I'm right there with you. A long time ago I tried machine
quilting and hated it. Now I pay someone to machine
quilt my quilts. I wish I liked it, because it costs so much
to get it done by someone else, but I don't.
Have a Great Day!
Marcia

How about tieing quilts.?? It keeps them looking pooofy. I
just don't like the drawn, flat look that Machine quilting
gives a quilt. Plus I do like the hand quilting.

And the extra cost. It puts about 100.oo onto the top after
you buy all the fabric for the quilt. Makes the quilt rather a costly item.

Flo in NNY

It is just about impossible to stitch-in-the ditch with a walking foot because you can't see the seam properly but it is good for all-over geometric quiting if you have your "sandwich" prepped with pins or spray.

Not for me, since I have a Pfaff with built in dual feed foot. That enables me to attach my 9mm applique foot which is nice and wide and gives me full view of where I am stitching. I cannot imagine tackling SID without a walking foot ...... seems to me that the fabric is bound to bunch up

Try smaller project first and wash it and see how the little imperfections disappear

I had a problem staying in the ditch when I first started and I found a stitch in the ditch foot on line and ordered it-I LOVE it-it makes the machine stitching so much easier for me :D

I was told the secret to fm is have a glass of wine first and then if it still doesn't look right have another.

I don't really have any practical suggestions to add since everyone else has pretty much got it covered, but I just wanted to encourage you not to give up! We've all pretty much been there. :wink: