Should I have to push my walking foot?
 

So I'm quilting my very first quilt—yay! I just got my walking foot today and it seems to be doing fine on test fabric, but when it comes to moving the actual quilt through (it's a throw size... I was a little overambitious) it seems to 'catch'. I have to push the quilt to keep it from stitching the same spot over and over, and the stitches it's making are tiny and irregular even with stitch length cranked up to 5. Is this normal? I'm making sure the quilt isn't snagged on anything and I'm supporting the weight so I don't think that's what's stopping it. My impression was that with FMQ you have to push and steer the fabric, but with a walking foot the machine should 'pull' everything through for you. Help!

Edit: I'm working on a Brother CS6000—is it possible that it just doesn't have the power to move something so sturdy?

Are the feed dogs working and is the walking foot engaging? They should come together like a clamp and move the quilt along.

i have to nudge mine along too

My question too about the feed dogs being up and the forked arm being attached correctly. Also is the presser foot lowered all the way? I've been guilty of all kinds of operator errors so I know how easily you can forget to do even the simplest things.:rolleyes:

Are you sure it's attached properly - with the little arm hooked into the needle bar?

The feed dogs are definitely engaging, they grab my test fabrics just fine and pull them. Presser foot is lowered. The little fork is on the needle bar. I'm starting to think my presser foot might be putting too much pressure on the quilt—I can see the feed dogs trying to pull, but it just doesn't budge until I give it a good shove.

I had one walking foot that had one bar that sat over the needle screw. The next foot had more like a fork that straddles the screw. When I first put on the fork type I just had it sitting on top of the screw. It did not work that way.

I'm not familiar with the brother machine but if properly installed and the feed dogs up you should not have to tug the fabric it should move along itself and sounds like something wrong if the stitches are not even. I use a long stitch length when quilting.

The weight of the quilt has to be supported. Try lifting the quilt in front of the machine, so that it isn't having to pull all that fabric. A walking foot is strong, but not strong enough to pull the weight of 40+ inches of fabric with no assistance!

What needle type and size are you using? What thread are you using? Stitch length?

Is the quilt level with the bed of the sewing machine? . You mentioned that it works on the smaller sample size but the issues happen when working on the actual quilt .It sounds like you are getting drag on the quilt.

What speed are you using to quilt? If you can, slow the machine speed button.

Try a Topstitch needle in the 9/14 size.

Is the quilt level with the bed of the sewing machine?

I agree with lifting up the quilt in front of the presser foot, so you are "feeding" the quilt to the presser foot from above. It does not take much extra weight to prevent a walking foot from feeding.

Is it hanging up on thick seam convergences? If so, you need to loosen your foot pressure.

Sometimes I use a longer stitch with the walking foot.

Is your test fabric the same thickness (ie two layers of cotton plus the same batting)?

Are you wearing gloves so that your hands have a good "grip" on the fabric and you're not adding extra effort to keep your hands from slipping? If your hands are slipping, that creates 'walking' problems.

What stitch length are you using? Try increasing it . Loosen the foot pressure a tad. Also what size needle are you using? If it's too small (or dull) it'll struggle to keep pace.

You say the fork is on the needle bar. Explain this. The fork should be between the needle bar, not over.

You also might have to lessen the pressure on the foot. On my machines you have a knob directly up from your needle. Less pressure will work better, just turn the knob until the feed dogs can move the fabric along.

I think people don't take this into consideration enough. Several pounds of fabric and batting could be pulling against that little foot and those tiny feed dogs.

Engage your feed dogs. They pull the fabric on the bottom. The Walking foot will help the top fabric. Everything goes thru the machine!

Lots of great suggestions mentioned. Did you have a chance to try any of them yet?

Are you using the correct walking foot for your machine? I have several machines that are different makes (Brother, Viking, Singer, New Home) and the foot is not interchangeable. For example, I can't use my Singer walking foot on my Brother machine.

Lengthen the stitch?

Can you adjust the pressure of the pressure foot? My older Kenmore has an adjustment that reduces the pressure on the pressure foot when sewing over thick or heavier weight fabrics.

Thanks for your advice, everyone! I think y'all are right about it being drag from the quilt. I'm lifting it up more and making sure it's level with the presser foot and that has been helping. It's probably just a matter of me needing to get used to something new. :P I think adjusting the presser foot pressure would help a little too, but alas my machine doesn't have that option.

My quilting so far isn't as lovely and neat as everything I see on here, but practice practice practice! Like my FIL says, if I end up with a quilt at the end on a first attempt, I'm doing pretty good...

Have a look at this little video on your machine, maybe there is something there to help you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nR9t3i0sSw

It looks like they have 42 videos on your machine, might be worth watching ? https://sewingmastery.com/brother-cs6000i/

Is the quilt well supported, I'd no drag

You know lots of people only post pictures of our proudest quilting, right? I have pictures of the first quilt I quilted, but only from a distance in bad lighting. Closeups wouldn't have helped with anything. Don't compare your first quilt to things people were willing to show the world on the internet! It will turn out fine. :)

Your FIL has the right attitude. It reminds me of a line from a comedy show I heard about pilots: A good landing is one where everyone walks away. A great landing is one where they can reuse the plane! I don't want a real pilot to have that attitude, but I repeat it to myself when I'm getting upset with my quilting. As long as I have fun and can reuse my sewing machine when it's done, I count it as a victory.

It sounds like to me you need to oil your walking foot. It has moving parts just like your sewing machine and needs maintenance. Use nothing but sewing machine oil and oil inside and outside the attachment. Let sit overnight and then sewing on scraps to make sure so oily stain comes on your scrap. I've have had to do this several times.

I was thinking the same thing!

Do you have the quilt in front of the machine free to move. If it hangs over the edge, it may catch on the front of the machine or table. That keeps the quilt from moving. Try lifting it up and see if it moves better.

The OP already posted she can't change the pressure on the foot. I did a search and true enough they state that it "appears that the pressure on the presser foot can not be changed" ( hard to believe but that is what is posted)

Can you lighten your presser foot bar pressure?

You may need to oil your walking foot. The walking foot has movable parts just like your machine. Use only sewing machine oil and oil the inside and outside of the attachment. Let it sit overnight and then sew on many scraps to get rid of excess oil residue. I have to oil mine pretty often because I use it a lot.

yes, you might lower the pressure on the presser foot.

It sounds like the quilt is catching on something.