Is there such a foot?
07-27-2012, 05:23 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Northfield, MN
Posts: 339
I have disabled the hopping on my Brother foot. I learned from Leah Day at LeahDay.com. I was sort of meandering before... after disabling the hopping, I was able to write my name, right down to the dot over the 'i' in about 5 minutes. Needless to say, I am happy. Plus, Leah has a whole series on how to learn how to machine quilt. All these patterns... and how to do it. Thanks, Leah.
07-27-2012, 05:55 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 765
azwendyg,
That information makes sense. I've seen a lot of tips, but none have addressed the amount of pressure on the presser foot. Good tip! I've seen a lot of complaints about broken needles and usually tension is addressed, but not pressure on the presser foot. Thanks, good to know.
That information makes sense. I've seen a lot of tips, but none have addressed the amount of pressure on the presser foot. Good tip! I've seen a lot of complaints about broken needles and usually tension is addressed, but not pressure on the presser foot. Thanks, good to know.
07-27-2012, 12:31 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ohio, just east of Toledo
Posts: 1,369
I have an older machine, and bought the darning foot that was available for it. I bought 2 because I had to order them, I can't remember the exact amount, but $15 a piece sounds right. Good thing, after about 6 mos, the metal part, that enables it to 'hop' broke off. I thought, oh no, what if this happens with the second one? So, I just used an open toe foot, no hopping, to see how that would work. I do have a darning spot on the dial that controls the foot tension so used that too.
I noticed absolutely NO difference, and doubt I will even use the second darning foot (I have a button that drops the feed dogs)
I noticed absolutely NO difference, and doubt I will even use the second darning foot (I have a button that drops the feed dogs)
07-27-2012, 05:25 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mena, Arkansas
Posts: 1,351
It sounds like you need to release the pressure on the presser foot. If you are lucky enough to have a vintage machine, you do this by turning counterclockwise the screw on the top of the arm that is over the presser foot. Some machines have a spring type button that allows you to release pressure by pushing all the way down on it, release, and then it will spring all the way up.
I've adjusted the pressure foot, dropped and raised the feed dogs and still doesn't float! I'm so discouraged.
07-27-2012, 05:27 PM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mena, Arkansas
Posts: 1,351
Not sure if places like JoAnn's and Hancock's have them on hand. I would think that a JoAnn's that sells sewing machines would carry them. Otherwise they are widely available online. Here are two examples from Amazon. One is plastic, and one is metal. Typically the metal ones are preferred because they are stronger and last longer.
http://www.amazon.com/Distinctive-Fr...k+darning+foot (plastic)
http://www.amazon.com/Distinctive-Da...k+darning+foot (metal)
http://www.amazon.com/Distinctive-Fr...k+darning+foot (plastic)
http://www.amazon.com/Distinctive-Da...k+darning+foot (metal)
07-28-2012, 07:46 AM
#28
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So. Ca desert
Posts: 142
I do not know what Brother offers.
Though usually, what one brand has, another offers too, so look around.
Janome has the traditional Darning Foot for FMQ. PLUS a special FMQ foot with three interchangeable feet!
The joy of this special foot is that there is NO hopping ..... PLUS you can adjust the distance between the foot and the quilt sandwich, so that the sandwich just slides nicely between the foot and the machine bed. As Goldilocks would say ... not too loose and not too tight!
I detested FMQing and once I tried this foot, I knew I would soon come to enjoy the process.
And now am working on developing then mastering, my FMQing abilities!
Though usually, what one brand has, another offers too, so look around.
Janome has the traditional Darning Foot for FMQ. PLUS a special FMQ foot with three interchangeable feet!
The joy of this special foot is that there is NO hopping ..... PLUS you can adjust the distance between the foot and the quilt sandwich, so that the sandwich just slides nicely between the foot and the machine bed. As Goldilocks would say ... not too loose and not too tight!
I detested FMQing and once I tried this foot, I knew I would soon come to enjoy the process.
And now am working on developing then mastering, my FMQing abilities!
07-28-2012, 08:03 AM
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,726
I also purchased this FMQ foot for my 6600 along with the bobbin case made for FMQ. Love them both! I was having terrible "eyelashes" on the back of my quilts until I used the new bobbin case. Now if I could just get my hand speed and needle speed to come together, I would be a happy camper!!
Yes! I forgot to mention the bobbin case.
I had a long talk yesterday with one of the gals who sell the machines, and teach the how to's along with their full time "mechanic", and learned a lot more about my machine and these specialty feet and the bobbin case!! I am one that needs to understand a little more about the why's and wherefore's of doing things!!
With this special foot, you never adjust the foot pressure, as the FMQ foot has the adjustment on it for the distance. Similarly, the blue dot bobbin case allows for a slightly different bobbin pressure. If you ever think that you need a different bobbin tension, you pop in this bobbin case and continue on.
And so that means ... when you start FMQing, the only thing you may need to adjust would be the top thread tension. And that's only a may ... as that'd be dependent on the variables. I have discovered that seldom I need to adjust the tension and had been starting to wonder what I was doing wrong. Now I know, why it didn't need adjusting!
For anyone switching the bobbin case ... be sure to learn how to properly put it in! Otherwise, you can damage it too easily and then would need a new one (ask me how I know?). Both of them agreed that design wise that should be a simpler switchover as they have more people who damage theirs ... and then they make sure we know the right way, before we leave the shop!
Another interesting tidbit ... he said to throw away the manual ... and learn from them!!
I am SO thankful to have such a great dealer, only fifteen minutes away.
I know for some of you, that's only a dream ... so I count my blessings and am sure to tell them so!!!
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