I know I can turn to the expertise on this site, if no where else!

I put on the stippling foot for the first time on my new sewing machine.
I dropped the feed dogs, turned the stitch length to zero, and changed the upper tension to very low.

I worked around the scrap for a bit and thought I was doing ok for a first-timer... then I turned it over.

(sit down before you look at the photos)

Please offer your advice!

What did I do wrong?

Just to be sure, I set everything back to regular stitching and it sews perfectly!
HELP!

tighten your tension back to normal settings and try again. I don't even mess with the stitch length...you moving it will create the length. With the feed dogs down it wont move unless you do...

Keep trying!

Also, depending on your machine, you do need to lower your presser foot. My Pfaff had a little notch to set the presser foot at for "free motion" and I missed that almost every time I first would start something.

Just finished a quilt freemotion stippleing for the first time. On my machine the presserfoot has to be down. I use a foot called the big foot. You can see backward,forward and either side really well. Also I had the same thing on the back on my practise block. After I set everything back to normal settings,dropped feeddogs and dropped the presserfoot down, it all turned out great. Keep trying this is the fastest way to quilt, I love it. Now to do the meandering. Good luck.
BillsBonBon

Your right Gayle - I forgot - I have a Pfaff also...HUGS

Make sure your quilting foot is down and keep the tension where you usually have it. Hope that helps.

Whew, I feel better now. This happens to me all the time. Just tighten up your thread tension

darning foot- must have a spring on it. that helps a lot. feed dogs down generally but not a rule. depends on the machine,the batting,etc.
move your quilt fairly slowly, but the foot pedal speed fairly fast.
the movement of the quilt makes the stitch. slower is longer, sometimes looks like missed stitches. slower makes the stitches smaller. practice,practice.
your photos almost look like you were doing a zig zag stitch.
make some squares of fabric with batting and doodle. save them and use again.

I leave my stitch length alone too. Make sure your thread is seated in the tension disks good.

Wonderful advice everyone! I've had those interesting "embroidery patterns" on the back too! You're going to be a pro at stippling in no time! It takes a bit of practice. Or a lot in my case! :roll: Good luck!

I don't mess with the tension or stitch length at all...just use your darning foot (make sure its down). You speed with which you move the fabric and your movement will determine your stitch length. Try to move smoothly..it doesn't really matter at this point whether your stitches are big or little...just try to move smoothly so that they are consistant.

I had that stuff on the back when I forgot to lower my foot on my machine. You'll get it...hang in there!!!! Oh...and be sure to hold your mouth right :wink:

Hmmmm, am no expert but it looks like how mine came out first time when I had the tension too low. I have a Pfaff Hobby 1122 For normal sewing the tension is on 2 or 3, but for FMQ it is best on 5. I was advised (on this site of course!) to play and practive with your settings until you get the right results. Then make a note of how you had it all set up so in future you don't have to 'trial and error' again.

Good luck, and post pics when you get it down!