Foot for FMQing
 

In reading through the other thread about learning to FMQ I started wondering what foot people are using. I have a hopping foot but it seems so annoying (I have only barely done any FMQ but want to practice so I have options). What other foot can be used for FMQ? I have a walking foot but that is not FMQ.

Thanks!

Some machines include a darning foot that works for FMQ. Have you checked for foot accessories available for your machine? Maybe there is a non-hopping foot option.

For some machines there is a "floating" foot that doesn't hop. It just floats above the quilt sandwich. It may be called something else, though, because I could not find an example on a Google search.

However, you can modify your hopping foot so it becomes a floating foot. Leah Day shows how to do this in her Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APD6s7PwoqU

I use a darning foot on my vintage Singer. For my Bernina, I've been using a darning foot (Quilting Foot #29), but am ordering the ruler kit, which works with a hopping foot (Adjustable Ruler Foot #72) so I can try my hand at some of the beautiful medallion designs that can be made from rulers. If don't like the hopping motion, but love ruler work, Westalee makes a great foot that doesn't hop; it works with most types of machines.

And an open toe works best. Much less annoying.

It's a matter of preference. Personally, I prefer the hopping foot to the floating one. I also prefer the closed foot to the open one, especially when starting out. Before I was able to control the stitch length better, I would always catch the stitches with the open foot.

I prefer an open toed foot. It is 24 on my older BERNINA 1130. On my newer machine it is a hopping foot and does not have a number. I like them both. My older machine had a foot that was clear but solid and I did not like that one at all. I plan to look into the new #72 ruler foot. I am interested in doing that type of thing, but don't quite fathom how you would handle the bulk of the quilt and hold the rulers also. It seems like walking and chewing gum!

hey quilterpurpledog- the rulers hold your quilt down just like your hand would. I put some sandpaper dots,or small strips of rubberized shelf liner on mine to help the rulers grip the fabric. Basically you just hold the quilt as usual for framing, but a ruler is under one hand instead of it being directly on the fabric. You move the ruler along the ruler foot and it moves the fabric along with it. Easypeasy

Rob

I prefer open toe and I also prefer hopping to non-hopping

My DH bought me a "Big Foot" from Nancy's Notions and I just love it!! It's like a hopping foot only it has a large see through plastic base so it is easy to see where you're going and where you've been, plus it helps to steady that quilt area as you go. I think it's fantastic!!

Well, it sounds like I just need to practice more and see what is going to work for me. Glad to here about other options, I will see what is available for my machine (1950's SInger 15-91).

I can't wrap my mind around the ruler things either but I haven't really looked into them much. Sound interesting so maybe I should.

Thank you everyone!

Like someone else said, it's totally personal preference. I can't stand the "gattling gun" sound a hopping foot makes, so I use a floating foot. I don't seem to mind whether it's open or closed lol. I wouldn't worry so much about rulers or any of that fancy stuff, just try different things and see what you like. Janome makes a really great adjustable FMQ foot that works on many standard low shank DSMs. They make a high shank one too, it works great on my Juki 2010. Good luck, your machine sounds like a really nice all-metal bulletproof one :)

I use the Bernina Stitch Regulator which I love. Quite expensive, but it came with the machine. This also has the large plastic base so you're suppose to be able to see where you have been to know where you are going.

Just wondering what it is about the hopping foot that is annoying you? Is it hard to see your work or the actual hopping that doesn't work for you? It might help you find a foot that works for you, once you identify the problem. There are so many variables when FMQing. It will also depend on what feet are available for your machine and some feet can be modified, as Leah Day did. Check her website for details. For me, I've found that I need a foot that I can easily see my stitching path.

I'm a floating foot girl myself. I had the hopping foot for quite awhile but once I used a floating foot, I'd never go back. I just find it clumsier and not as flowing.

Watson

I used the "big foot" and loved it......after years of love and many many quilt stitchings, it snapped off. I haven't ordered another one, but am using an open toed hopping foot that I like as well.

I think it's just the hopping action that bothers me, seems to distract me. Trying to regulate my speed and hand movements, all while watching that foot jump around just drives me a bit crazy. It's like patting my belly and rubbing my head, lol.

Probably just need more time to get use to it.

Leah Day has a good video about the quilting foot and how to re do it to work for you.

I should check that out.

It's true that some presser feet have a spring on them and others don't. When you talk about "hopping," there's some hop that comes from the machine. If you put your presser foot on and watch it as you turn the handwheel, you can see the hop. It's a built-in eccentric on most machines.

I'm sure having fun with the Westalee ruler foot and templates on my Bernina 230. I've ordered the Bernina #72 ruler foot for the store, but they said they are "way back ordered."

The Bernina #72, #9, #24 and #29 feet all have the spring on them and the Westalee ruler foot doesn't.

:) You are funny:)

I use a closed toe hopping foot...at first I didn't like it, I thought I couldn't see where I was going, but with practice, you build skills and confidence. Now that I've tried just about every foot and method out there, I think it all comes down to practice..none are easier, or better, it's all about practice!!!