Was I told wrong?

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04-06-2011, 06:50 AM

#71

mimee4

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2008

Location: Central PA

Posts: 3,736

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsM

I drop the feed dogs, I don't use a stitch regulator, and drop my tension to zero and go. But I am a beginer.

Me, too, except that I'm not a beginner. Practice, practice.

04-06-2011, 06:57 AM

#72

grandjan

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: East Tennessee

Posts: 1,053

Sounds to me like she wants to make a sale badly enough to put her honesty on the back burner or she just doesn't know about quilting herself. Of course you can free motion quilt without a stitch regulator. I don't have a stitch regulator on my long arm and quilted free motion for years on a sewing machine without a stitch regulator. There's a ton of information to help you in these posts. Good luck, whatever you decide. :thumbup:

04-06-2011, 06:58 AM

#73

abc123retired

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: West Suburban Chicago

Posts: 385

Also, you can practice with an unthreaded needle on pieces of paper. Draw a loopy design and trace it with the needle. Cheaper than using fabric and you can repeat the design as often as needed before actually sewing.

04-06-2011, 06:58 AM

#74

redbugsullivan

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Western Washington State

Posts: 549

Love these responses! Excellent question and the wisdom of these folks mean I learn new things each day.

I'm just learning FMQ and for my small projects, I'm using my treadle!! LOTS of control with regulating stitches. LOL!

04-06-2011, 07:01 AM

#75

Jeanniejo

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Southern , Virginia

Posts: 1,518

I don't have a regulator and I don't have any problems. Did she tell you to drop your feed dogs ? If not she was definately looking for a sale. Don't know if I would go back there! It also takes practice, don't get discourraged!

04-06-2011, 07:02 AM

#76

distar2

Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: arizona

Posts: 66

some really new and neat things happen when you don't know you can't. don't listen when someone tells you you can't. it just means they have tried and it has not worked for them. 8-)

04-06-2011, 07:12 AM

#77

roda

Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Okla

Posts: 496

I Have a stitch regulator and I hate the dang thing. I do better and enjoy it more without it

04-06-2011, 07:33 AM

#78

grannypat7925

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Springfield, Ohio

Posts: 5,446

Don't believe that......it is not true!

04-06-2011, 07:50 AM

#79

FranCFries

Junior Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Under my machine!

Posts: 149

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandma pepsi

This is a FMQ question. I was told by a quilting teacher that I MUST have a 'stitch regulator' in order to do free motion quilting. (the teacher also owned a quilt shop that sold sewing machines). I could not afford a new machine, so I tried to FMQ on my regular machine. The stitches were extremely uneven and I lost interest in trying, believing she was right. Now I am reading posts on the quilting board about not dropping the feeddog. Was I told wrong? Is it possible to master FMQ on a regular machine without a stitch regulator. I am getting interested in trying again. Please give me your opinion.

You are NOT the first quilter that doesn't have a 'STICH REGULATOR', I now this comes as a SHOCK!!!! But we did NOT invent FMQing, the first quilters (grandmothers, greatgrandmothers, etc), found that with out fancy machines that they could do this. Not every one did quilting by hand, so one of our 'MOTHERS' took a look at her machine and said "WHY NOT?" So all you have to do is play with it a little more - Don't let people say NO!, just remember our mothers did it with a LOT LESS than we have now! Work on a sandwich that is no larger than a doll quilt size, so you can get the feel with out all the bulk. Sew Happy!

04-06-2011, 07:59 AM

#80

Ozarkcastle

Junior Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Missouri

Posts: 112

check out http://www.daystyledesigns.com/365project.htm leah has free designs and lots of tips on how to get started. you can google her name leah day and find her blog it is interesting reading for new and experienced quilters. I don't FM but enjoy seeing the process. cw