my first attempt at free motion. front looks fine. back, not so good. spool thread came through to the back. doesn't do that where i used my even-feed foot.

is there some type of setting that typically needs to be changed when you free motion? i'm using my free-motion foot (that goes up and down as i stitch) and i have my feed dogs down.

i do need one of those sheets that makes the movement around the platform smoother. will go find that thread.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0228.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0230.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0229.jpg

thanks for any suggestions. i had been told by my sewing machine dealer not to change the tension, to leave it in 'A' :(

oops! better go dot my i's!

Tighten your top tension and sew faster. Faster gives you smoother curves. :)

Don't use your even feed foot (walking foot), switch to your darning foot (hopping foot). Drop the feed dogs on your machine and practice, practice, practice.... it takes a bit to get your timing right between your foot control and moving the fabric to keep your stitches even.... you will find if you go faster it is easier to keep the flow.

I free motion all the time and I have never touched my tension, once I found my groove it just flowed and my stitches were even. Oh, almost forgot... practice, practice, practice.... and most important of all..... Have Fun! :)

Hi, Patty.
I think it looks pretty good for a first attempt! As good as that looks, you should have it 101% perfected very soon! :D

I suggest you use the gloves with the bumps, You'll be surprised at the difference they make, They are alot cheaper then the sheet, your talking about. Your first attemp is way better then mine was. The stitching in the back, was a problem I first had and I kept thinking it was the bottom tension( bobbin), But it was the way the fabric was going through, or rather sliding through. I was pushing and pullin, Then I used the gloves and I had better control of the piece. As good as your doing all ready, it won't take you much pratice at all. But please try the gloves, they helped me alot with control of the piece.

thanks ladies for the suggestions and compliments. i did forget to mention, i did have the gloves on and they really make it easier.

the 'family' looks much better because i printed it on tear away stabilizer and stitched on the letters.

guess i'll have to try speeding it up! yikes! i'll probably stitch my finger in there!

No no no...no stitching fingers...you need those fingers for the next quilting project... :D

You will be free motioning all over the place in no time.... I love doing it, turn on some rocking music and do the free motion! ;)

Just in case...I've found it helpful to keep Shout sheets by the sewing machine. :) I think you did an excellent job with holding to your pattern. I'm sure the others are right..speed and practice will fix your problem.

You're doing great for a first attempt. Just keep practicing! You'll be amazed! I agree with Rebecca, those gloves are a must! Someone also recommended putting music on to listen to while quilting to help get that rhythm.

:D for the blood stains?

Absolutely! :) I seem to puncture prone!

Have any of you tried Glycerin for free motion quilting. You can find it in the drug dept. or pharmacy. Just a tiny dab on your fingertips. I didn't believe it until I tried it. It makes your hands "tacky", not "sticky", it works well enough you don't have to wear the gloves and it's also good for your skin. I bought a small jar and it was under 5 dollars, the way it's looking, I think it will last me for how much I get to quilt, for a couple of years! It bothers me less to have that on my fingertips than to have gloves on.

Lisa
Thanks so much for the FYI, I will give it a try.

Rebecca, let me know what you think ok? I think you will be happy with it, especially if your like me and don't like to wear the gloves.

lisa - what form does it come in? like a lotion bottle, or a little pot?

i'd like to try some for when the gloves seem restrictive!

thanks!

It comes in a small plastic bottle, I can't remember now what area I found it in, although I did have to search around a bit for it. If you have trouble ask the pharmacy tech where they keep it, it comes in a thick liquid form. I'm thinking maybe I found it in the area of first aid but I'm really not sure, I do remember that it was at Walmart.

Also, I have a can of Pledge in my sewing room. I squirt a bit on a piece of flannel and polish the areas around my needle, etc. I really think it helps. Seems to help with the drag from the bottom side especially if the humidity is up. And like the others have said, practice, practice and practice.

Suzanne

Hi - I found that you have to run the engine fast on the sewing machine and at the same time move the fabric evenly to get the stitches the same size. If I tried to sew with less power, slower engine speed, the bobbin thread did the same thing as yours! Your control in free-motion writing is phenomonal (sp?).