Ruler Foot Problem
 

I have been wanting to try ruler quilting for a while. Finally bought a ruler foot and my MIL loaned me a couple of her rulers. Am finally working on a quilt that I decided I would try the ruler on. I sew on a Janome 8900 memory craft. I can free motion quilt just fine. When I am using the "convertible free motion quilting foot" I can sew in all directions including backward. Zero issues. Now when I use the ruler foot and quilt backwards, I get big skipped stitches right before the thread breaks. Why would this be? If I slow down I can sew for slightly longer before the thread breaks, but I don't understand how a different foot would change things so dramatically.

Is the ruler foot adjustable? Is it possible that it is either too tight against the fabric or too loose. Either can cause skipped stitches.

Are you using a ruler foot with the convertible holder that you use for fmq or are you using a stand alone ruler foot?

Another question…do you have to set your machine to a ruler work setting? On my Janome 9400 I have to tell it that I’m doing ruler work.

Make sure you are not pushing the ruler up against the foot too hard as that might deflect the needle causing skipped stitches.

If this is a fixed ruler foot and not the ruler "toe" that goes on the convertible foot, it's likely that the foot is too high off the fabric sandwich and it's allowing the thread to deflect the needle too much when you move the fabric.

If it's the toe on the convertible foot, you can adjust the height of the convertible foot so there is less needle deflection.

Big skipped stitches, if there is no hole from the needle, can mean you are moving the fabric too fast.

It is adjustable. I read it shouldn't touch the fabric so I raised it. Maybe I have to experiment with the height more.

My machine does not have a setting for ruler work...
The foot I am using is the stand alone janome 1/4 inch ruler foot, for high shank rotary hook models.

I will try slowing down more, but I am not sure that's it. I will try the foot lower as well. hanks for the suggestions.

It's too high. It should just skim the fabric.

Watson

It's trial and error in finding the 'sweet spot' for the foot height. You don't want it high so that the fabric 'bounces' but you don't want it too low that you can't move your sandwich or go over seams.

Also, the another 'sweet spot' is the speed of your machine. I listen to my machine sound when the stitching is moving the way I want it to go with no skipped stitches, then try to use that speed while at the same time moving my sandwich at a speed that is in union with the machine stitching.

It sounds difficult, but it really isn't. Just take your time and work on a practice piece until you get comfortable. Also, for another for thread breakage - I always put in a new needle when I switch from piecing to quilting.

Just another suggestion, did you try a different needle? Certain needles on mine do not like to sew sideways, especially to the left. Having trouble sewing backwards is puzzling.

OK, this will make you laugh. My quilting machine never gives me trouble sewing backwards, until today, the day after I posted a suggestion to you. When the thread broke on a backwards run I just laughed. Karma!

You should have knocked on wood before you posted Haha. My MIL gave me some organ needles to try. Says her Janome likes them. Has your machine come around?

Yes, it just did it one time to show me it could!