Needle top position
#1
Needle top position
When watching Leah Day's FMQ videos, I see that when she stop sewing her needle is in the down position. I don't think my machine does this. I'm finding that when I stop stitching, to reposition my hands, my project and needle move apart. Is there a way around this?
Thanks
Thanks
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fox Valley Wisconsin
Posts: 1,920
I know I do love one of the features on my machine-a button I can push to make the machine always stop with the needle down in the fabric, or up out of the fabric. Very helpful with both machine applique and machine quilting. Maybe you could try as soon as you stop your machine turning the handwheel to make the needle down, while keeping the other hand on your project to keep it from moving.
#3
oh my, if your machine doesn't do that and you can't leave one hand on the quilt and lower the needle by moving the wheel- try just removing one hand and having something heavy near by that you can place onto the quilt. then reposition both hands and quilt-remove heavy weight item with one hand only and then place that one down and continue quilting. good luck.
#4
Once you get into quilting, the features you thought you'd never use or need on a machine suddenly become clear why they are available on machines. I have to have needle down, auto cutter, knee lift (didn't think I'd ever use that, now it's a have to have) needle threader, and led lighting. My older machines are wonderful and have a place in my quilting but they don't have features that make quilting more enjoyable and easier to get better results.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
Posts: 7,014
In some of her videos Leah talks about what to do if you don't have that feature. She says to make a habit of always turning the wheel with one hand while holding the quilt with the other every time you stop. It's in her Free Motion Quilt Along series that she discusses this.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 4,961
I agree with Bella Boo - It is hard to know what to look for in a machine when you don't know what you will be doing with it! We think we will never machine quilt but then later we need to try it! There are work arounds - maybe not 100% convenient but they will work - like turning the hand wheel. Good luck with your quilting.
#10
When watching Leah Day's FMQ videos, I see that when she stop sewing her needle is in the down position. I don't think my machine does this. I'm finding that when I stop stitching, to reposition my hands, my project and needle move apart. Is there a way around this?
Thanks
Thanks
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