I have a Janome 6500 that I am trying to learn to do free motion quilting with. Some stitches are beautiful, some are tiny, some are long. Is there a way to regulate the stitches so they will be more uniform???
Thanks

I've found it is all related to your speed. The faster you go the more even your stitches are.

It all take pratice pratice. You just need to make a sample to pratice on

and more practice. My Janome (a cheap model) has a little knob at the top, where I can slow my speed down. I put it in the center - that way I find a speed I'm comfortable with, and I start practicing...then I slow it down more or speed it up a little more depending on what I'm comfy with. If I put the pedal to the metal and push all the way, my speed can only go as fast as where I've set it to go. So I'm not getting a lot of changes in the speed.

Then, find the best way to move your fabric around on your machine, and practice practice practice......

I'm new at quilting and new at FMQ. I'm loving it and having a blast praciting! :) Good luck. O, and don't forget to practice! ;)

I am by no means an expert and I cannot yet manage a real design, but I find with meandering FMQ that there is a "sweet spot" between the speed of the machine and the movement of my hands. And I know it when I get there, but, can't always maintain it. I'm working on consistency.

I agree. I'm just learning, too, and I'm amazed at how much better I do when I get brave and turn up the speed a bit.

I appreciate your responses. So, am I right in thinking sewing machines don't come with a stitch regulator (once the feed dogs are dropped)--??? It isn't just the Janome???

I'm using the clear darning foot and it hops up and down with each stitch. In your FMQ, does this sound right ??? Kerplunk - kerplunk, kerplunk kerplunk kerpluk . . . . . kerplunk

I think that you can get Pfaffs and a Bernina with a stitch regulator, but I'm finding I'm getting better at regulating my own stitches. Don't use your foot pedal, though! LOL

My machine, a Babylock Quest Plus, does not clunk. In fact, it makes such a soothing sound it makes me sleepy when I am quilting.

My experience is that the speed you move the fabric needs to be consistent with the speed the machine is stitching. If I am stitching at a high speed, then I need to move the fabric faster or else I get very tiny stitches...slow stitches and fast movement leads to long stitches...so, as another poster said, it's practice, practice, practice...

I have also heard that it is good to play music as you practice free motion quilting.

I am not an expert by any means but you need to find the best speed for how fast you move the fabric. I just put on Pandora radio on my computer and go to town. The more you practice the easier it gets.

Practice....lots of it. The faster speed I use, the better looking my stitches are.

have fun practice, practice,practice

I took a class to learn FMQ, I was told to run the sewing machine fast, and move my hands slow. It's a matter of getting the timing right. Move your hands to slow and you get small stitches, to fast and your stitches are to big. Put together some practice peices and practice. Muslin is a cheap way to make your practice peices.

PRACTICE!!! you need to learn to slow down for loop-de-loops where we tend to 'swoop' faster than just going along...I have a stitch regulater which i NEVER USE! it drives me crazy...but i am a firm believer you have to learn to drive before you get to use the 'cruise-control' I think everyone should have good consistant control on their own before every trying a stitch regulater. it takes practice AND LOTS OF IT. just like driving...

I found that doing the pedal to the metal wasn't going to work for me, makes me extremely nervous and anxious. I have a 6600 and can adjust the speed on it. I do more toward the middle setting of the speed and then go with the flow. Its helped cure the eyelashes on the back also.

I also have the speed control, in addition to that,I have the stop start button. I unplug my foot cord to the machine, and with the speed setting, I have consistant speed. Not having to worry about my foot, I can concentrate on my hand motion. I have found that my FMQ is much more even this way.....and yes, it did take some practice....

lots and lots of practice. Also remember to breath. I catch myself holding my breath. So just relax and enjoy. And did I mention lots of practice :lol:

Thanks for the responses and encouragement. I discovered that my Viking D1 will allow me to remove the foot petal connection and set the speed with the start-stop button!!! I would Never have thought the sewing machine would work unless the foot control was pressed. That knowledge is worth the price of my internet service this month and then some!!!
Hugs to all for your input

unfortunately it seems to be practice and more practice.

yep, the stitch length is controlled on your movement of the quilt. fast foot pedal speed and slower hand movement. too fast and you get longer stitches. too slow and they get very tight.

I use the clear darning foot too - for me, its not the best - I can't always see where I'm going if I go backwards.

I don't think mine goes kerplunk....at least if it does, it doesn't bother me. Do you put your lever down before starting?

Also, always make sure that your needle starts in the down position so if you stop, you can me sure that the fabric doesn't move.

It has taken me lots of practice but I love practicing. I practiced on a block I made, then I practiced on my Bow Tucks bag I made. I absolutely LOVE it - I do find that I have to relax, breathe, not hunch over the machine, loosen my shoulders, breathe, relax, sit back, not hunch, breathe......and I use my little gloves with the nubbies. Its really fun! :lol: Remember, its all in what YOU want from it. I have a long way to go, but I'm getting good at swirlies and curly cues. ;)

It takes lots of practice, practice, and more practice. You didn't learn how to write overnight, neither will you be able to do wonderful machine quilting overnight. It's keeping the speed of the machine consistant with the movement of your hand. Do you use a watersoluable lotion or the machiniger gloves? Either will help you move the quilt more easily. I have read that the big name quilters practice some everyday to get to their level of machine quilting, so don't give up or be too hard on yourself. Make a small quilt sandwich and have it by your machine to practice on for a few minuites every time you sew. You'll be surprised at the improvement. :thumbup:

the kerplunk,is what i get when i use the "big foot"..and you may be going to slow when it does that.
if really is a practice thing..i have the 6600.

I have the 6600 and love it. FMQ takes practice. I am getting better but a long way from where I want to be.
I do use the speed control. More to the middle and just try to mantaine the same hand movement. I do fine the gloves or fingers work best to move the material.

You just need to find out what your speed is. Just having the machine go faster doesn't regulate your stitches. Your hands and "feet" have to find a rhythm. I found that when I first started when I did curves, the rounded parts were not very uniform. Also, if you have a speed control on your machine, try that then you don't have to worry about your foot once you find the right speed.

Yep!

Practice! Practice! Practice!

don't clench. stay loose.

I love your avatar. I made one for my granddaughter and put 25 hours into beading the dress. Found it last week rolled up in a knot on the floor. No one knows the time spent in projects.

If you machine speed is FAST and your hand movements are SLOW your stitches will be very SMALL. The opposite is true also, SLOW machine, FAST hands, you get really big stitches. It just takes lots of practice (like driving a manual car) to get your rhythm down for a consistent stitch length.

When I first began to FMQ I had the same problem. If I sew fast and continuously move and get a rythym down the stiches are much more even. I always practice on some sandwich material first, to get into the rythym and feel. The best advice is practice, practice and practice some more.

When I first began to FMQ I had the same problem. If I sew fast and continuously move and get a rythym down the stiches are much more even. I always practice on some sandwich material first, to get into the rythym and feel. The best advice is practice, practice and practice some more.

Everyone has given some great advise!! Do you like music? put on the headphones and some great tunes, and go!!! music seems to help me stay consistent....with better outcomes and I enjoy it even more!

I finally understand the need for consistant speed but do you adjust the stitch length or is that all done with your speed? I played a little with mine today & I had a heck of a time. My prob. is also where do I stitch? Is that what the stitching patterns are for? Got to mark your fabric? I have watched tutes but it amazes me how consistant they are? Got to practice, practice, & practice more.

I took a magic marker and drew
"stippling" sort of like continous puzzle pieces..on a muslin sandwich. and used a contrasting thread and tried to follow the lines.
Breathe,Relax, get in the groove.
I have a friend who puts her head phones on,music to quilt by..lol! and a glass of wine! talk about relaxed!

stitch length is determined by your movement...mine is set to "0".

Thank you all for the information. God bless. Penny