I tried machine quilting for the first time. I did SID with a walking foot on a table runner. The table runner didn't move very easily over my machine's extension table. What do you buy to make the quilt move easily? The walking foot worked fine, the fabric just seemed to drag over the extension table.
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A walking foot makes it very difficult to FMQ. It is much easier with a darning foot. You need to either cover your feed dogs or drop them down depending on your machine. Don't ask me how I know LOL!
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Originally Posted by GrammaNan
A walking foot makes it very difficult to FMQ. It is much easier with a darning foot. You need to either cover your feed dogs or drop them down depending on your machine. Don't ask me how I know LOL!
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Originally Posted by Joeysnana
I tried machine quilting for the first time. I did SID with a walking foot on a table runner. The table runner didn't move very easily over my machine's extension table. What do you buy to make the quilt move easily? The walking foot worked fine, the fabric just seemed to drag over the extension table.
Now I see your latest update. Sorry, I haven't used superglide. I have a video in mind that I believe will help you if I can find it. Sorry if it takes me awhile to find it. If someone else remembers it and finds the link before I do that will be great too. The teacher was showing how to use a walking foot and stitch in the ditch. One hand on the left of the walking foot and on hand on the right of the walking foot. Pull the hands away from the walking foot as the machine sews to keep the fabric tight. Not in front of or behind, but exactly to the sides. I hope I can find it because I think it will help you. /Regards, Dorothy |
The product you are looking for is free motion slider, it is WONDERFUL!! I just searched my sewing room, could not find the web site, but do a search.
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I am pretty sure the free motion slider thing covers the feed dogs and you need them with the walking foot. Is your backing fabric a white on white type fabric? Sometimes the print is a latex type ink that will create drag. I usually fold the quilt on my lap and make sure the quilt sandwich isn't catching on the lip of my sewing table.
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You do need the feed dogs to use the walking foot, for sure, thanks for reminding me, I get too excited! If you want to do FMQ get the free motion slider. You will NOT regret it, a great product.
I am NOT a person who just advocates to be a buddy. Free Motion Slider is a fab product. In fact, I am kinda hard to please, now that I think of it. |
I recently did my first SID and thankfully I have the built in walking foot. I had to continually rearrange the quilt so there was no drag in any direction, and then it sewed beautifully. When any of the quilt fell 'off' the table, there was a difference in stitch quality.
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If I have my stitches set too small the feed dogs and walking foot have trouble grabing the fabric. After reseting my stitches a bit larger I had no more problems.
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Originally Posted by Joeysnana
I tried machine quilting for the first time. I did SID with a walking foot on a table runner. The table runner didn't move very easily over my machine's extension table. What do you buy to make the quilt move easily? The walking foot worked fine, the fabric just seemed to drag over the extension table.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Chea...-Table-or-Desk |
I had a problem with the bottom fabric not gliding and I put a layer of thin tissue paper under it and just ripped it off when I was finished. Worked like a charm. I didn't worry about the tissue wrinkling, but to make it stay smoother, spray the tissue (not the fabric) with a little..note I said a little... spray fabric adhesive like 505 brand before you put it on the backing fabric and it will stick to the fabric till you are done then pull off.
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i have the super glide i think, or something like it and it gave me fits with myh 60x60 quilt when doing free motion quilting.Since you're not doing fmq and just doing a straight stitch, can you remove the extension table from your machine. you don't really need it.
if not,hold the end of the fabric up as you feed it under theneedle. that should help. and perhaps a longer stitch too. that helps the fabric move easier.---- oh i just read about the tissue paper hint. great hint too. i had trouble with some pieces and put paper underneath the fabric and it worked like a charm!! |
Originally Posted by Pam
You do need the feed dogs to use the walking foot, for sure, thanks for reminding me, I get too excited! If you want to do FMQ get the free motion slider. You will NOT regret it, a great product.
I am NOT a person who just advocates to be a buddy. Free Motion Slider is a fab product. In fact, I am kinda hard to please, now that I think of it. |
Originally Posted by Kas
Originally Posted by Pam
You do need the feed dogs to use the walking foot, for sure, thanks for reminding me, I get too excited! If you want to do FMQ get the free motion slider. You will NOT regret it, a great product.
I am NOT a person who just advocates to be a buddy. Free Motion Slider is a fab product. In fact, I am kinda hard to please, now that I think of it. |
This may not help you right this minute, but this item has really improved my quilting and relieved my stiff neck and aching shoulders. It is a SewEzi table. I have no affiliation, just a very happy user. Everything glides across this table and it comes with one custom fitting plexi-glass insert for your particular machine. I saw it at a quilt show in Paducah. Didn't buy it then, but after fighting with my fabric and it never staying where it needed to be, or sliding the way I thought it should, I finally bit the bullet and bought one. You can also purchase extra inserts for each of your machines; seems like it was around $250 at that time. It comes with a rolling, lightweight carrying case. Website is www.seweziusa.com; in the meantime, the tissue paper does sound like it will work; but that's not a permanent fix for your quilting environment. Good luck with your tablerunner.
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Lots of great tips given to you already.
But how about putting encyclopedia books or something else behind your extension table to keep all your work at the same height...then top with vinyl so that all your work will slide away and not drag down? I'm fortunate enough to have a huge sewing table, 4ft x 8 ft, with my machine recessed to keep everything flat. That smooth even work space really makes a huge difference when FMQ. warm quilt hugs, sue in CA |
I have heard, but not tried, that you can apply car wax to your machine around the stitch plate and then remove it. It makes the surface very slippery and fabric glides smoothly through the machine. Just an idea. (I just bought the mat to put on mine for FMQ, but might try it for straight stitching.)
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Originally Posted by Joeysnana
Originally Posted by GrammaNan
A walking foot makes it very difficult to FMQ. It is much easier with a darning foot. You need to either cover your feed dogs or drop them down depending on your machine. Don't ask me how I know LOL!
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Thanks so much for all your replies. You are all very kind and helpful. My set up is not ideal. I am sewing on the dining room table. In another year I will have a 20 x 20 bedroom free that will become my sewing room. But for now, I sew "out in the open" so I can keep a close eye on my 2 little GS who live with me. Anyhow, your ideas were wonderful and I will give them a try. Thanks!
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Originally Posted by Joeysnana
I tried machine quilting for the first time. I did SID with a walking foot on a table runner. The table runner didn't move very easily over my machine's extension table. What do you buy to make the quilt move easily? The walking foot worked fine, the fabric just seemed to drag over the extension table.
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I just stitched in the ditch with my walking foot, and everything moved great. God bless. Penny
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What kind of fabric is on the backside? I had some that didn't move easily. It's the kind of print that has a white, almost embossed feel to it. It wants to grab the surface rather than glide thru. I'm looking for a picture since I'm sure no one will understand my explaination!
The Supreme Slider works great for FMQ. I do not use it with the walking foot - it defeats the purpose. EDIT: this is the best picture I have of this fabric. But you can see the petals of the daisies are white, and they are kind of embossed. |
Originally Posted by KatFish
If I have my stitches set too small the feed dogs and walking foot have trouble grabing the fabric. After reseting my stitches a bit larger I had no more problems.
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The instructions that came with the walking feet for both my Viking and Bernina say to reduce the pressure as well as increase the stitch length when using them. Might want to check your instructions, too.
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When I quilted at my machine I made sure the fabric was puddled in my lap so my machine didn't have to work so hard. Try to have no drag on your fabric.
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The super slider is wonderful and makes the fabric move much easier. I also use a pair of garden gloves (with the dots) to guide my sandwich. I've found that my arms and shoulders do not tense so much.
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I rolled the sides of the table runner up and clipped them with clothespins. Not fancy, but it seemed to work. I bought Machingers gloves and totally forgot to use them. Oh well, next project will probably go a little better.
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Originally Posted by Joeysnana
I rolled the sides of the table runner up and clipped them with clothespins. Not fancy, but it seemed to work. I bought Machingers gloves and totally forgot to use them. Oh well, next project will probably go a little better.
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