I bought a cover for the feed dogs and tried it today. If the foot is down I can't move the fabric at all--so I sewed with the foot up--and then there's thick bobbin threads all along the stitching--so that's out.

How do you do it :?: :?: :?:

Do you have a spring (darning) foot?

If you can, release or lower the pressure on the presser foot.

It is harder to do free motion quilting with the feed dog cover (instead of dropping the feed dogs) because it does reduce the space between the presser foot and the plate, making it harder to move the quilt.

Karla...you have to use the correct foot along with the plate that covers up the feed dogs. Mine is called a "darning or embroidery" foot. It could be called a free motion foot or something similar. This foot will go up and down over the fabric, but will not go down so far that it will hold the fabric in place ( do you know what I mean?) You have to put the foot down lever down or you will end up with all those nasty bobbin thread (like you already found out).

Good luck..you can do it! (My hubby had to figure out the way to do it and show me :oops: Thank goodness he's so darn smart!)

Karla I just want to encourage you not to give up. I had the same problem with my bobbin thread until I realized I needed a darning foot, it makes all the difference in the world. I'm lucky that I can drop my feet. Keep working on it until you get it going right for you and then practice, practice practice. I just finished my first stippling quilt after practicing for hours on smaller pieces and it is a whole new ballgame when you put a full size quilt under the needle. I did a horrible job, several, numerous places where my stitches were too close together and the next thing you know they are too far apart. I have points!!!!!not a good thing on stippling but I am still so pleased just for the fact that I have that experience under my belt now, I knew that it would be imperfect and that it will be for awhile until I have better control. But I want you to keep at it because it is so fun and rewarding! Get that foot and get going! Good luck!
Lisa

Karla, don't give up. As Cathe said, be sure to lower the foot pressure to be able to move the fabric. Free motion quilting does take a lot of practice and each machine is different. Keep trying and keep asking questions.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I have to find the right foot! Maybe I have one. :? Are they a standard with machines? I never think I'll find something that will fit my old girl. What do they look like?

I want to be able to quilt some of my smaller stuff. I have 5 tops piled up now. :roll:

If you can't find a foot for your specific machine, try it with just the needle, make sure you put the lever down though so it's not going to snarl the bobbin threads. Sometimes you can get just a spring rather than a full foot...hopefully there's something easy & not too pricey out there for you to practice with.

Barnbum,,,,Like Cathe said try the spring on the pressure ft, If that dosen't work, then remove the ft. I have an ole industrial singer (my second machine) that I take the ft off of, and it works great. Just remeber you don't have to move the fabric as fast as the machine is going. Relax your neck and upper arms. Heres a pratice thing I did to get my control of fabric. Take some scraps and make them like mini quilts, draw circles and swirls on them and pratice by following those designs on your scraps, it helps in learning your control and the movement allows you to get the feel of how to move the fabric. Just DON"T GIVE UP, Barnbum your one savy lady and you will have it in no time. I'll be waiting to see your work.......

Practice, practice, practice. When I first started free motion quilting I used a 9inch square with batt and backing and practiced by trying to write my name. Yes, a spring loaded foot and feed dogs down is what I do. I relate it like trying to play the piano. You need to get the rythum going. Good Luck Marge

Bum, try using something like a business card taped over the dogs enstead of the cover, the darning foot has an arm that goes over the needle screw so that it raises when the needle does and that's when the fabric moves. Remember, it takes more motor, less motion, and like we always say " LOTSA PRATICE" good luck

I love my Spring darning foot and find it fantastic while doing free motion embrodery or quilting.

My spring loaded darning foot was not standard with my machine so I had to buy it separately, but it was the best money I spent! It is a great foot for stippling too. I love to stipple and this foot makes it a breeze to do :)

Good luck with it!!

Never give up!!! Never Surrender!!! (I just love that Toy Story quote)!!!

I found two diffferent feet in my sewing machine storage area--they look like they have arrows on them. One seems slightly higher up than the other--maybe my imagination. What are they for?

Note--when I took my machine in to be serviced a long while back, I borrowed one just like mine. Then it wasn't right, so I took it back again. :roll: But weeks later when I checked in the storage area realized the drawers had been switched. There was bobbin with colors I never would have picked, and different feet!

Sounds like someone slipped you a mickey, LOL.

Don't worry...you will find the right foot...(look for the round shape and let it be transparent...works best for me ....the foot must allowed you too see well not blocking the view....
I tried also with plenty of frastration at first.....The right tool (foot) helps a lot....Don't give up....Also remember to decrease the tension....(not only on the machine......lol).....

This is what the one on my machine looks like.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s/IMG_4140.jpg

The photo shows the feed dogs down. I have never used a cover for them, they are well out of the way when I quilt. I have, however not used one at all. The presser foot has to be in the down position, whether you use one or not, just to engage the tensioning devices. If you are using a very thick batting, you will have difficulty.

When I was free motion quilting without the foot, I found it to be more difficult as when I crossed the seams the fabric would sometimes come up with the needle. It is also easier to sew through your fingers, something I strongly discourage...don't ask...

M

All I can say is keep up the practice - trying & trying & try again. I have just started trying free motion quilting this past year and, No, everything is not perfect, but it is fun and I am getting better. I have done nothing larger than a lap quilt, which is what I normally make. All the above hints are great ones.

Miss Treated--that helps to know what the heck I'm looking for!! Thanks!! Now I'm really wondering what the feet are I have--I'll have to take a picture of them.

As far as I know--I'm not able to drop the feed dogs.

I'm happy to practice--but I have to get the right equipment first.

Losing my quilter--and saving money on the small stuff is VERY motivating. :? (determined smile face)

What are these? I know--they are a rare kind of foot that are worth $100s, right? :wink:

This site has a "free motion quilting foot" and a "darning / embroidery foot"

http://www.singersewingmachine.com/parts_standard.htm

Which one do I want? :?: :?:

Did I ever tell you how much I love this forum and all the help?? :D

well the ones in the picture you posted are zipper feet
I went to the link you gave but you have to put in what machine you're using to look at the pictures

does it appear that there is seperate feet? one for quilting and one for embroidery? I have 5 different machines and they each have one quilting/embroidery foot

what machine do you have?

I have a Singer 7025-Deluxe. I couldn't get a price, but thought I'd call and order it once I knew what I wanted--well, once you told me which one I wanted. :lol:

Zipper feet? Well shoot--that's no help. I've never put a zipper on a quilt. :D :lol:

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Good....Now is the moment to start.....learning.....
I bet its easier than raising your horses... :lol: :lol: :lol: Good luck...Don't get discourage....We have all been in this stage..... :D

barnbum...check for your singer foot on ebay before you order from singer. Search for foot for your singer model number. I bought several embroidery feet for Sally ( yes..I'm rough & mine are the cheap-o plastic kind)..haven't broken 1 since I bought extras :oops:

Think of the free motion quilting as drawing..but instead of moving your pencil, you are moving your paper..its fun!

Good luck

I emailed the Singer Service Center and the guy said he has the spring action darning foot for $7.95! I'll order it tomorrow. :thumbup:

make sure first that it will allow you a full view (like the one in the picture).....Some have some screws attached that blocks the view....
Good luck

Thanks ania--I emailed the seller again and pasted your suggestion. :D

The difference between the darning foot and the free motion foot (like what I posted) is the darning foot is completely enclosed, like a metal cheerio, at least that's the Bernina difference.

M

barnbum, this site has downloadable manuals for singer machines. lots of other information too. hope it helps:


http://www.singerco.com/resources/

Found this pdf instructional too,


http://www.singerco.com/pdf/Darning_Embroidery.pdf

But either one will work fine for machine quilting!

Very true, I should have mentioned that. I used to use the darning foot for free motion until I got the free motion. I like it much better, the view is unblocked. :)

M

Well--this guy said what he has is what I want--even efter evey one of your questions. :D It's ordered and on the way. I'll show you what it looks like when it arrives.

I'm excited for you..you are going to have fun doing this part!