A FMQ "lightbulb" moment
 

Sometimes I just do not think things through all the way. I keep reading about how wonderful Singer 15 machines are for fmq, and since I have a 15-88 treadle I figured, hmm, piece of cake. I purchased a set of Westalee rulers & ruler foot and proceeded to try to teach myself to fmq with rulers on my treadle. The results have been quite mixed. I have a heck of a time getting even stitch length and controlling the frequent stops and starts. Then the lightbulb went off - I also have a singer 201-2 that the feed dogs drop and it sews beautifully, the ruler foot fits, and it is electric. So I dropped the dogs, put on the ruler foot, and oh goodness, how much better fmq is going. This is just great because I am in the process of finishing up a top that I really wanted to do some design work on. Oh man, I could have had a V-8! LOL

Good for you! I'm glad to hear of your ease of FMQ on your 201-2 too. I have a friend who has a 201-2 that she wants to use for FMQ but I've been worried that it might be hard with the horizontal bobbin. Good to hear you aren't having any problems! I'll let my friend know!

I can't even imagine trying to do that with a treadle machine. You must be very talented!

Thanks for saying that but what I did not show was the backside. Everytime the handwheel would spin a bit backwards and I'd catch it and go forward, it either created a thread nest on the back or broke the top thread. The front side didn't look too bad, but the back was unacceptable. I am sure that in the future I will go back to the treadle once I have more experience with the rulers & fmq because it was just plain fun - and I really like to have fun with my toys:-)

Not really, I just did not know any better than not to do it! LOL

I love this attitude!

I used to have my 201 on a hinterberg frame. It worked great.

I used to have my 201 on a hinterberg frame. It worked great.

Good for you. I do fmq on a electric sewing machine. Have not tried rulers yet.

I love my 201 ! Isn't that an awesome machine?
I haven't done ruler work ---- yet. Let us know how you like it.
I see it in my future :)

Watch out, ruler work is addictive, just like vintage machines:thumbup:

Rob

That is awesome!! Can't wait to see some pictures.

Oh no, I'm already addicted to old machines. Do I need another addiction???? :D

Why, I believe you do! LOL

The rulers are a lot of fun and are working well on the 201-2, I have even played with a little adlib fmq swirls and stuff. I am just using a practice sandwich that I made earlier and am planning to make one more and try some more movements before tackling my quilt.

How fun! I LOVE ruler work, I just got into it myself and it's so much fun! I feel like I am producing much nicer looking quilting now, and with the rulers to help me out I'm doing a lot more elaborate quilting than ever before too. (Slowly, working on my 2nd ruler-quilted quilt now.) But I enjoy the heck out of it.

I am happy to hear how well it is going for you. I agree, some of the designs are so fun to do & add so much to the overall look.

Is the 201-2 a new machine or is an older model?

My 201-2 is from 1950 - Centennial badged:-)

tscweaves, what shank ruler foot do you use on the 201? Low, mid or high? I have a 201 and would be interested to know.

I have the ruler foot & rulers from Westalee for low shank machines. So far I have used them on the 201-2 & the 15-88. The one thing I might get is a foot screw that can be snugged down with a screwdriver. Neither of thoses machines have a slot in the screw head so I do have to check the snuggness regularly.

Oh bother! I have the Westalee ruler foot and rulers but for a mid shank (my Bernina 710)...I was getting all excited thinking I could use them on the 201. sigh........

I would think all you would need it the low shank foot. Email Westalee, they are good at responding.