Starting Free Motion/Scared to death...
#22
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Central NM
Posts: 1,596
I have low end sewing machines and they don't like to FM. Probably have to adjust tension and I don't want to do that. So back to using the walking foot. New machine in my future? Sure hope so..
#23
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,319
costco. I set stitch length to zero. Could drop feed dogs but I don’t always do that on my bigger machine. I didn’t adjust tension. I still have that machine and I still use it for some things.
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,319
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 402
I'm sure everyone has their own ideas on this issue. The BEST advice I got when I was scared to death of free motion is this:
"JUST DO IT!". I created a practice sandwich and went at it. When I was feeling confident enough to take a class in free motion I did so--only to be somewhat disappointed that I was good enough, and it was easy enough, that I did not need the class.
The key to free motion is learning YOUR own balance between speed and consistency. Do your own thing and have fun. If it costs you a yard of cheap fabric to play then you have saved money in the long run.
This, of course, is just my own humble experience but it did lead me to buying a sit down long arm machine (Love! Handiquilter!) and I quilt my own quilts now. Just do it.
"JUST DO IT!". I created a practice sandwich and went at it. When I was feeling confident enough to take a class in free motion I did so--only to be somewhat disappointed that I was good enough, and it was easy enough, that I did not need the class.
The key to free motion is learning YOUR own balance between speed and consistency. Do your own thing and have fun. If it costs you a yard of cheap fabric to play then you have saved money in the long run.
This, of course, is just my own humble experience but it did lead me to buying a sit down long arm machine (Love! Handiquilter!) and I quilt my own quilts now. Just do it.
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,399
The most important thing for free motion quilting is having a great sewing machine. It can be old or new, costly or inexpensive, doesn't matter as long as it sews perfectly and gives you no trouble while you learn the skill.