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You will find it hard to to FMQ with a walking foot, they are mostly for straight stitching, stitch-in-the-ditch, etc.
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Elayne, I have a Singer Quantum LE. According to the manual I don't even need a darning foot for free motion embroidery or quilting (or darning, for that matter). I've tried it and it works; I like it because I can clearly see where the needle is and where it's going. However, I did buy a darning foot from this site http://www.sewingshop.com/ and it works well on my machine but I cannot cover the feed dogs when using the foot! I wind up with a big mess (bird's nest?) and it doesn't work. It does work well without covering the feed dogs. Does anyone out there know why that would be? And the foot is not supposed to press down on the quilt sandwich.
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Originally Posted by Kat B
Okay, I'm having problems understanding how to pull the bobbin thread up. Can someone help explain it to me?
Thanks in advance. |
Ok, I think you have the wrong foot on that machine. The foot that you have is for the Featherweight antique machine. I'm sure that is your problem.
Check on Nancy's Notions for a generic foot for your machine. I think that site even has a guide so you know if your machine is high or low shank. I have a Featherweight and that foot that you are trying to use on a different Singer. Order a different foot and even though it takes a while to get the hang of FMQ, it's worth the time it takes to learn. First - you need the correct foot for your machine, then go from there. |
Weezie,
Thank you. Is the presser foot down or up when I make that first stitch? Thanks again. |
Originally Posted by Kat B
Weezie,
Thank you. Is the presser foot down or up when I make that first stitch? Thanks again. |
Since you have a generic darning foot and it sits about 1/4 inch above your fabric it is likely either that you are not lowering the presser foot (unlikely) or you have a short shank foot on a long shank machine. In other words, it is likely that the foot you have is not the appropriate foot for your machine. When the presser foot is down, the foot should sit on the fabric.
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Originally Posted by Sadheart
I am new to Free Motion Quilting also. There is a thread talking about it . The ladies were talking of using a "walking foot" Now I am not sure what the difference is but am to understand that it keeps the fabrics from slipping as you sew.
I will be posting my efforts tomorrow to show what happens using a regular sewing foot. I love the front. Ha ha But the back *blinks* O my O well lessons learned. Will be a while before I can get me a "walking foot" Try practicing with a regular foot if you do not have a walking foot. Happy sewing. Hello and welcome from Utah * waves * A walking foot is very different from a darning or quilting foot. It is very good for stitch in the ditch and other straight line quilting but not for free motion quilting. A walking foot helps to fee the top fabric through the machine a the same pace the feed dogs feed the bottom fabric through. The feed dogs are lowered in free motion quilting so that you can move the fabric in all directions with your hands. Sandra |
I have problems also trying to stipple, I have a janome but no regulator stitch on my machine, and that is important, I have tried and tried to machine quilt, and always give up and back to hand quilting,,,hope someone can help you, and then maybe it will help me also,,,good luck
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Originally Posted by twinstitches
Hello Everybody!
I am very new to free motion quilting and very interested. It looks beautiful and like a very fun art I'd like to try. I've research, watched, read, etc, etc but I am stuck. I finally got my embroidery foot but I can't seem to make things work. I have a Singer Ingenuity 7436 and I got my darning foot on Ebay. I found out from Singer they don't make a darning foot for my machine so I had to get a generic one. Even though the one I got said it was for my machine I think it's wrong. Here is what is happening... I drop my feed dogs, set my stitch length to zero, start the first stitch, pull up my bobbin thread and hold it, then I try to make a few stitches and nothing takes. The machine acts like there is no fabric there, no stitches are formed. My machine does a great job of punching holes through my fabric sandwich but not a single stitch catches the bobbin thread. I have tried different threads, changed my tension, and used different needles. I am working with a 100% cotton fabric sandwich (cotton-batting-cotton), not on any projects. I though I should practice first before I try to make something. I have done a bit more research today and I think I know the problem but I wanted to ask you ladies first. My embroidery/darning foot sits about 1/4" above my fabric and does not have a spring that goes up and down. Could this be my problem??? It seams the foot stays 1/4" above the fabric the whole time I am trying to sew. This in turn makes my fabric come up a little while I am trying to sew. Where does your darning foot sit while you are sewing/stippling??? Thank You! Elayne |
Originally Posted by Kat B
Okay, I'm having problems understanding how to pull the bobbin thread up. Can someone help explain it to me?
Thanks in advance. FM. you may have to adjust the top tension if you are using two different colors of thread. Machingers gloves are the greatest. you also quickly learn to match the backing somewhat to the top so you can use the same color thread top & bottom. It really is hard to please your critical self when you first start FM. but hang with it, you will like it. |
I also FMQ and it sounds like you are doing everything right if the foot is attached properly and the presser foot is down. Adjusting the pressure is very important as you don't won't the foot to sit tight on the fabric. As other's have said the speed and movement of fabric is very important. Think of it as drawing with a needle--When I first started I really was nervous abt going fast and that was my biggest problem----Step on the gas and then get your hand motion in the groove---Put on music that you like and relax-Practice, practice and then more practice---
I don't know what kind of batting you are using but I find that the type of batting makes a hugh difference---high loft is the most diffult to work with and for me the easiest is the 80/20 cotton/poly blend or 100 percent cotton low loft- I also pin baste and remove the pins as I go, I caught the foot on basting thread so moved to the pins- Also make sure the quilt is well supported with no drag- Use the proper needle and thread in the bobbin & on top. I usually use a machine quilting needle, size 12 and I use a thinner thread in the bobbin than on top. Good luck and don't give up-- |
Wish I could help :)
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Did you remember to put the pressor-foot lever in the down position?
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check out youtube for more tips on machine quilting
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It sounds like you have the wrong foot for it. You might need a longer shank foot. God bless. Penny
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I'm wondering if since a generic foot was purchased was a short shank purchased when a regular shank on that generic foot was needed. Just another possibility (and no I didn't read all of the pages)sorry If I'm duplicating someone elses idea. (I use a generic "big foot"-short shank)
Well Penny, I'm an idiot! I looked at page 1 and 2 and just threw out my idea. After it posted I scrolled up and there you are with the same idea already. Guess I should have also read last page or at least last post - funny -dumb of me : ) |
There are 3 "stops" for the the presser foot. All the way up, all the way down, and then the "stop" in between those two, that will allow you to darn, quilt or machine embroider. I hope this is helpful.
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Have you lowered the presser foot? That is a common problem with machine quilters. The quilt sandwich is thick and it looks like it's lowered and it isn't. Also are you moving the quilt itself? You are in control of the stitching on the quilt, which ever way you move it, but you have to move the quilt or you will be just stitching in one spot since the feed dogs are down.
There isn't really a difference in a darning foot and the free motion foot except the name. If you continue to have problems I'd suggest you take your machine back to the dealer and ask for some instruction in doing the free motion and also have them make sure that the machine isn't the problem and not what you are doing. Hang in there, girl, as free motion quilting isn't learned in a day or two, it requires practice, practice, and more practice! :) Have a practice sandwich of something you can pull out every day or so and do free motion on, also maybe buy a book on machine quilting. I recommend Harriet Hargrave's Heirloom Machine Quilting or one by Diane Gaydusack, I think thats how to spell her name. Good luck. |
you must lower your presser foot. nothing will take otherwise. it is easy to forget but must be down to work.
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My machine has an auto foot lift. When I FMQ I have to turn it off.
Maybe your machine has one???? |
No, I have a Bernina with a hands free knee lifter that will lift the foot when I want it to, and I use it in FMQ and it will release the tension so I can move easily from one place to another(no stitching going on then). But you have to put the foot back down or you have no tension.
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Haven't tried free motion quilting, but been reading up on it and hope to try it soon.
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Always try the most simple thing first. Did you drop your presser foot?
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sounds to me like its not correct foot for machine, I dont think its u.
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On youtube Leah Day took the spring off of her free motion foot. I have watched her and she makes it look so easy but as of this time I still can't get it right.
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