MollieSue

Thank you Sandpat! It's still hard for me to imagine myself doing what you all do! It is so good to know it all can be done on just a regular machine! Totally amazes me! I admire you all for your patience in your initial practicing. As soon as I get this ribbon quilt on it's way, I'm going to start!
:-)

bearisgray

For stitch-in-the-ditch, a walking foot is especially helpful to keep all the layers going through more or less evenly.

Quilting Aggi

I have used those types of designs on two of my free motion quilts (the first two I ever free motion quilted) and they turned out great!

I do agree with everyone else.. practice.. practice... practice... :)

Good Luck!

Barb M

Oh you can do it :) I just did my first ever free-motion on my rose raffle quilt. I bought darning foot, it has a spring and jumps up and down, and it only cost 10 dollars. Practice on a scrap piece, and then try the borders on your quilt. I've always done stitch in the ditch, but i really loved doing the free motion, found it easier than stitch in the ditch. And my machine is a 40 year old kenmore :)

MollieSue

Bearisgray - is the walking foot the same as the regular foot which came with my machine? Or is it something different?

MollieSue

Thaks Quilting Aggi & Barb!!! I've seen those patterns Quilting Aggi, but didn't know if you all really used them. And thanks for letting me know how much the darning foot is Barb, $10 isn't that much! And is very hard to believe your first fmq was done on your beautiful Rose quilt!! You're obviously a much quicker learner than me!
:D :D

sandpat

Excuse me for jumping in, but in case Bearisgray didn't get back to the thread, I wanted you to have your answer.

No..the walking foot is NOT the same as your regular foot. A walking foot has feed dogs as a part of the foot...it walks the fabric through from the top along with the feed dogs walking the fabric through on the bottom. Essentially it keeps the fabrics going the same speed without pulling so it stays smooth and unpuckered. It is fantastic for quilting straight lines!! I don't know your brand of machine and they can vary greatly in price..so you'll have to check out the details for your own type.

bearisgray

I have an older Pfaff (late 1980's) and it comes with the machine. It seems to be attached to the presser foot holder and can be activated or lifted up so the machine can do free stitching.

Some machines do have special walking foot attachments available.

The purpose is to feed both layers through at the same time.

Without it, the bottom layer is fed through a bit faster than the top layer of fabric.

Barb M

LOL that's why i told you the price, cus i wanted one for so long, and figured maybe 25 to 50 dollars, so waited and wanted, and didnt know it was so inexpensive lol

MollieSue

Thank you Sandpat & Bearisgray!!! And Sandpat, feel free to jump in anytime!! :D I got my current machine about 4.5 yrs ago, and only a few of the feet are mentioned in the booklet, so I really have no idea what they are! It's a Brother, plain jane model.
I had given my older White machine to my daughter, who never uses it
:( , so I might get that back from her tomorrow. It seems like that had more feet with it.
It sounds like I need the walking foot. I taped the heck out of the ribbon quilt when I sandwhiched it, and I'm guessing I didn't pin close enough, it didn't turn out too good. But it's done. I'm guessing if I had the walking foot, it would have helped with my ditch stitching, keeping the material together better.
Thank you so much for all the hints!!!!! :D