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Find a Pfaff dealer in your area and call them they can help you! Do a search, thats how I found one by me!
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Find a Pfaff dealer in your area and call them they can help you! Do a search, thats how I found one by me!
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I think PRACTICE is the magic when it comes to fmq..
Other things that have helped me is to have the bed of the machine even with the table... tape a silcone oven liner or something slippery under the needle area (I cut a hole where my needles stitches) wear quilter's gloves, they are expensive so I use garden gloves with rubberized fingers. draw your pattern on large sheets of paper.. or just use the paper and a dull needle, with no thread, to practice.. do some every day.. not for hours, but some time anyway. Remember you can stop when you don't know where you're headed next. Your project will look better than you think it's going to when it gets all done. No one sees each curve and line, but rather the overall effect. Oh.. did I say practice, practice, practice!! |
Well, I decided my name and names of friends are already in my mind so I practised FMQ by sewing names. Then I could set the machine tension & all the other stuff correctly prior to trying loops, circles & stars. 6 months of practice made such a difference. I just kept practice sandwiches on the machine about 12" square. When filled with stitching I added a muslin to top & bottom and stitched till it got too thick. I use different color threads on top & bottom so I could see which thread caused the issues. I haven't FMQ since before Christmas so now I would practice again before working on an actual item. Hope this helps someone.
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Instead of expensive silicone sheet, I purchased a yard or so of clear vinyl at Hobby Lobby. Cut it to fit the needle etc. It covers a large area so there is no drag on the quilt top to the left of the needle.
I use Mr. Clean blue & white scrubbers instead of a halo. Easily moves the fabric. I had some on hand and just I would try it. I liked it! Low budget quilting here. |
Wow..this is the best tutorial on free motion quilting..have been doing straight line quilting for a while but never attempted FMQ. Thanks.
Dottie |
While practicing, why not use a water soluable pen (the ones from JoAnn work as well as the ones from a quilt shop)and draw your design on the fabric, then practice your quilting with the design on the fabric for you to see. That way you can learn to control the speed and motion with your hands, then when you master that, go to the free-hand design. BTW, it is much easier when you have on the quilters gloves with the rubbery dots on the fingers. Oh, yes, the next most important part is to have the quilt on a level surface with your machine. If it is hanging off the table the weight will distort the stitching.
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What do you mean about turning machine around to face you? To me facing means like you have it when you are sewing. Do you mean having the end of the machine by the needle face you? I need all the help and then more so I want to make sure I am getting this right.
Thanks! Robin in TX Turn your machine around to face you. When you look at FMQ set ups like the Flynn or the HQ Sweet Sixteen or the Easy Quilter Track System, the machines are all facing you. |
Originally Posted by tsdelvis
I'm using a Pfaff Creative 1471. I finally figured out the presser foot setting to use - it's surely not clear in the manual! :? I've scoured the internet sites and youtube for help with FMQ.
Basically they all pretty much say to practice every day for 2 years and you might eventually get the hang of it. I think you must also have to hold your tongue right, turn your fingers into rubber, and mindmeld with the machine. My hardest things to conquer are regulating speed, stitch length, and a wonky bobbin thread that wants to peek thru the top. Any hints or words of wisdom? Let me know if you find any--I too am looking! |
Do you have a stop/start button? I was having trouble trying to keep my mind on my foot pedal and speed plus my hands and i tried using my auto button at a medium speed and i didn't have to worry about my foot and concetrated on my hand movement. It seemed to help me a lot. Hope this helped.
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Originally Posted by rob529
What do you mean about turning machine around to face you? To me facing means like you have it when you are sewing. Do you mean having the end of the machine by the needle face you? I need all the help and then more so I want to make sure I am getting this right.
Thanks! Robin in TX Turn your machine around to face you. When you look at FMQ set ups like the Flynn or the HQ Sweet Sixteen or the Easy Quilter Track System, the machines are all facing you. |
Originally Posted by Maia B
It must be "try and cry" FMQ day. I've been making quilts for 20+ years, hand quilting and machine quilting straight lines only. So I have great machines with which to FMQ, I've read some recommended books, and I tried it early this morning. Hundreds of thousands of people do this, right? So no tension problems, no eyelashes, but it was just awful. I think everything is set just fine, because the stitch line is great except that it's jerky, ugly, and inconsistent. I could feel the thread's shame and disappointment at being involved. I can't trace a line, make any attractive shape, nothing nice at all. I sewed out a bobbin's worth on a 12"x 18" piece, which I then took directly to the rabbit cage to die the worst death any quilt can as a peed-upon chew rug. I went back to bed. Later, when I opened my thread drawer, the quilting weight threads were all cowering in fear. Even the piecing thread looked nervous. The worst of the whole story is that I was using the Bernina 440 with BSR, which is supposed to help, right? So I know it takes practice, but I'm pretty discouraged. It's also not AT ALL fun. Which is crazy, too...fabric :) + batting :) + thread :) + Bernina :))) = sad and sore like I did too much yard work.
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I tried typing in the machi;ne tables but nothing came up with it. I did PM someone who might have it. It was really neat. If I can I will take a picture of mine and post it. It basically looks like the tables that come with your machine but it is made so you turn your machine towards you and the table fits into it and you have table space out to the sides. Hope this helps.
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It won't take two years but you do need to practice and each quilt after it clicks in will be better each time.Have confidence and practice. No one has to see the practice sandwich.
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Lisa, I use a kid's Magnadoodle to practice a design before I actually quilt it. You can repeat it as many times as it takes and the feel of the stylus running over the Magnadoodle screen is kind of like the smoothness of sliding a quilt under a needle. I've found that, for me, it works better than paper and pencil.
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I learnt by pretending i was in a canoe and meandering down a stream with all its twists and turns but never crossing to the other side.
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If there is magic fairy dust, can you spare some.
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I watched all 4 beginner videos. I want to really try it but I have an old Kenmore machine and I don't know how to get the foot feed thingies out of my way. I read that you can cover them if you can't lower them but cover them with what I wonder?
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Originally Posted by Maia B
It must be "try and cry" FMQ day. I've been making quilts for 20+ years, hand quilting and machine quilting straight lines only. So I have great machines with which to FMQ, I've read some recommended books, and I tried it early this morning. Hundreds of thousands of people do this, right? So no tension problems, no eyelashes, but it was just awful. I think everything is set just fine, because the stitch line is great except that it's jerky, ugly, and inconsistent. I could feel the thread's shame and disappointment at being involved. I can't trace a line, make any attractive shape, nothing nice at all. I sewed out a bobbin's worth on a 12"x 18" piece, which I then took directly to the rabbit cage to die the worst death any quilt can as a peed-upon chew rug. I went back to bed. Later, when I opened my thread drawer, the quilting weight threads were all cowering in fear. Even the piecing thread looked nervous. The worst of the whole story is that I was using the Bernina 440 with BSR, which is supposed to help, right? So I know it takes practice, but I'm pretty discouraged. It's also not AT ALL fun. Which is crazy, too...fabric :) + batting :) + thread :) + Bernina :))) = sad and sore like I did too much yard work.
Tell me when you find the secret, because there just has to be one. |
Check out mammac's utube link on page 1. It is awsome.
dottie |
Aussiequilter, and others, thanks for being so supportive. I expected it to require practice, but I can't even imagine getting to a point that I'd be able to start quilting my waiting tops. It helps to know I'm not alone, and I'll be using the tips here, except the ones that involve <ahem> chemical mood enhancers. I can see how FMQ would drive one to that, though. I'd just give up, but if so many others can do it, it must be possible.
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you said you finally figured out the pressure foot setting to use. I drop my dog feet and use a FM foot that does not use any presser. Maybe I'm just not reading right tonight.
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i STARTED TAKING A FMQ CLASS AND SHE SUGGESTS MAKING AND PRACTICING ON 15 SANDWICHES OF BLACK SO YOU CAN SEE YOUR STITCHES. aLSO YOU NEED TO PRACTICE MIN A DAY AS IT TRAINS THE BRAIN. jUST DOING DOODLES AND ZENTANGLES HELPS YOU TO GET THE MOVEMENTS. iT TAKES 50 HOURS OF PRACTICE TO GET USED TO fmq AND 500 HOURS TO BECOME PROFICIENT IS HER MOTTO AS S HE HAS SEEN OTHERS SAY. sTICH LENGTH WILL COME IN TIME AND YOU CANT BE PERFECT. iF YOU TRY TO BE PERFECT YOU WILL NOT ENJOY THE PROCESS.
JEFF |
Originally Posted by BarbZ
Originally Posted by rob529
What do you mean about turning machine around to face you? To me facing means like you have it when you are sewing. Do you mean having the end of the machine by the needle face you? I need all the help and then more so I want to make sure I am getting this right.
Thanks! Robin in TX Turn your machine around to face you. When you look at FMQ set ups like the Flynn or the HQ Sweet Sixteen or the Easy Quilter Track System, the machines are all facing you. |
If you go to search at the top of the page and type in homemade quilting table you will see a picture.
Originally Posted by Kappy
Originally Posted by BarbZ
Originally Posted by rob529
What do you mean about turning machine around to face you? To me facing means like you have it when you are sewing. Do you mean having the end of the machine by the needle face you? I need all the help and then more so I want to make sure I am getting this right.
Thanks! Robin in TX Turn your machine around to face you. When you look at FMQ set ups like the Flynn or the HQ Sweet Sixteen or the Easy Quilter Track System, the machines are all facing you. |
Have you tried using contact paper?
1 You draw the design that you want on the paper side of the contact paper. You can cut it in strips, squares, circles or large pieces. 2. Slowly take off the backing and gradually adhere it to the quilt. Then using the darning foot with the feet down, sew through the written pattern into the quilt. 3. When finished, gently rip away the contact paper that was adhered to the quilt. You will then see the pattern sewn into the quilt. Tweezers are helpful in removing little bits of paper. You will get used to moving the material and you will soon be able to do it on your own without using the contact paper. Btw, using those rubber-tipped gloves so your fingers don't get sore. They are called "fingerlings" or something like that. It only took me a couple of practices with contact paper and then I found it much easier to do. Humming helps to keep you from grinding your teeth, biting your lips, etc. I used to sing "around and around and around I go." |
Have you tried using contact paper?
1 You draw the design that you want on the paper side of the contact paper. You can cut it in strips, squares, circles or large pieces. 2. Slowly take off the backing and gradually adhere it to the quilt. Then using the darning foot with the feet down, sew through the written pattern into the quilt. 3. When you are done, pull off the paper with the written design and you will see that you have sewn the design onto the quilt. Pull off the paper, using fingers or tweezers 4. This method gets you used to moving the material without jerking it around. I did it a couple times and then did FMQ with no paper, just using my hands and moving material. The gloves rubber-tips called Fingerlings help. It also helps to sing or hum to keep from being so intense that your grind or bite your lip. Have fun. |
get a good rhythm - don't get discouraged by every bobble in your stitching - and keep practicing. Also practice the designs over and over on paper or dry erase board... kind of like practicing cursive writing in grade school (do they even do that anymore?).
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Originally Posted by tsdelvis
I'm using a Pfaff Creative 1471. I finally figured out the presser foot setting to use - it's surely not clear in the manual! :? I've scoured the internet sites and youtube for help with FMQ.
Basically they all pretty much say to practice every day for 2 years and you might eventually get the hang of it. I think you must also have to hold your tongue right, turn your fingers into rubber, and mindmeld with the machine. My hardest things to conquer are regulating speed, stitch length, and a wonky bobbin thread that wants to peek thru the top. Any hints or words of wisdom? :P |
Originally Posted by stitchofclass2
I also learned from a video or someone on the Board to cut out the front of my quilting/darning foot. Mine has red marks on each side so I used a "cut off" tool (for jewelry) and cut out the front. What a difference! Couldn't believe that I could see that much better. Yolanda Wood River
Thanks! Pat |
One thing that has helped me is to play with a child's Etch-a-Sketch. A friend turned me on to this strategy and it really worked.
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I have only been quilting a short time and wanted to FMQ my landscape quilt. I practiced on a 'sandwich' and then dived into the landscape. I found that a slow steady speed was best for me and I can slow down my machine. I also learned to use the "correct" size needle!. I kept breaking needles and they are too expensive to keep replacing, so I double-checked the size and changed to the correct size and had no further problems. I can't do feathers and circles yet but want to learn...Good luck.
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I have only been quilting a short time and wanted to FMQ my landscape quilt. I practiced on a 'sandwich' and then dived into the landscape. I found that a slow steady speed was best for me and I can slow down my machine. I also learned to use the "correct" size needle!. I kept breaking needles and they are too expensive to keep replacing, so I double-checked the size and changed to the correct size and had no further problems. I can't do feathers and circles yet but want to learn...Good luck.
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Man if there was a majic spray, the ingenious creator (who I'm sure would be a quilter) would make a fortune on it. :lol:
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Originally Posted by knlsmith
WINE machinger gloves WINE sharp needle WINE and don't forget to breath. Oh and sometimes WINE. lol Works for me everytime.
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Originally Posted by jdiane318
It's called Xanax and a margarita.
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This thread is inspirational! I'm just putting a quilt together, and am going to FMQ it. I've told the sad story of the quilters edition machine that won't quilt on another thread. After years of thinking I was just incompetent, I've tried 4 different machines in the past few days and produced OK stitches on all of them. I'm amazed! One of the many things I've done while searching for answers to the problems I've had was to email Leah Day, whose FMQ Project website has been mentioned. She sennt me such an encouraging and helpful reply. Her advice came down to - just put a quilt on your machine and FMQ it. Just do it. I realised that she's right - I'm getting nowhere while quilt tops pile up because I'm scared to quilt them. None of them are going to be precious heirlooms: once I know that I'm using a machine that isn't causing its own problems (in this case my Mum's 50 year old Husqvarna, which doesn't even have a modern darning foot but quilted quite happily) I'm just going to have a glass of wine and set to. And if it all goes horribly wrong, I'll drink the rest of the bottle of wine and then I won't care any more :) For me, half the battle is defeating the perfectionist demon....
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Originally Posted by mommamac
I feel your pain!!
Have you seen these video? I've only watched the first 2 but she is easy to listen to and demonstrates well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39I5A...layer_embedded |
I feel for you" I tried it for the first time and it wasen't too bad but it was much harder to move the fabric then I imagined it would be. I thought it would simply slide around easily. Haven't gotten back too it but I will. I am going to practice on some squares and then start out small on a doll quilt. I figure the grandkids aren't going to care if it isen't perfect. take care
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Originally Posted by quiltinghere
I've heard an 'adult' beverage will help...:) seriously!
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