FMQ Foot: Hopping vs Gliding
04-08-2019, 06:34 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 269
FMQ Foot: Hopping vs Gliding
Friends, I have discovered a whole new world of frustration and now I think I understand better why others are frustrated with the look of their FMQ. I do have a question at the end, so please bear with me 
I recently bought a used Janome Horizon 7700 because I've dreamt of a bigger throat for years now. I still love my little Janome Magnolia 7318, but we simply don't have room for a longarm or a sitdown mid/longarm, so a big throat machine was what I knew I'd have to get. Great deal too!
So I've heard from many about how the Janome Convertible FMQ foot is awesome, glorious, made of fluffy dream clouds, everything, and it came with the 7700 so I was super excited to try to FMQ on it. I just finished sandwiching a baby quilt for a friend's incoming baby so I started getting the 7700 ready. My 7318 has a hopping foot and I've felt pretty good about my stitch quality and length, and I've quilted many quilts on it from baby to king.
Boy was I ever unprepared for the difference between a hopping foot to a gliding foot. The tension was terrible on my first test sandwich and I didn't realize it at first because I was thinking: gee this feels really weird, maybe this is one of those "sensitive" machines that doesn't like glue basting?? I'm in so much trouble if it won't let me glue baste.... Why is it making that sound? Why does it feel so odd?
When I flipped it over, there were eyelashes everywhere. It was terrible. I could rip a stitch on the back about 3 inches away and just pull the thread straight out. Turns out the auto tension is bad news bears when FMQ and the gliding foot is very particular about the height it's set at. Great. Test sandwhich #2 turned out better, so I gave it a go on the baby quilt.
I broke thread about 4 times in the first 5 minutes. I haven't built a foam insulation topper for the 7700 yet but you bet that's first on my list once there is time! The extension table simply doesn't provide enough space. Using books and boxes around the extension was better but still not great since the quilt still catches on the corners of books. Frustrating.
Ok so here's the worst part: I've always heard people talk about how difficult it is to get consistent stitch length on their machine and I didn't really have this problem. Chalked it up to: 7318 is mechanical, simpler machine, maybe that's what made the difference for me. No! I think it's the hopping vs gliding foot! The gliding foot on the 7700 means there is absolutely no resistance when I'm moving the quilt under the needle. For me, that means sometimes the weight of the quilt in front of me is much harder to control and I can't move my hands smoothly (I've heard about putting a pillow in the lap to take the weight of the quilt, but I couldn't try that since our 2 year old was in the room with me). I also had to reposition my hands much more often. With the hopping foot, it provides a little bit of resistance - enough that I can actually let my hands get more than 6 inches away from the needle and still have control over the quilt. With the gliding foot, it was like trying to guide a slippery eel that was wriggling away from me! My stitch length was wildly inconsistent and boy is that ever frustrating to see.
I knew there would be a learning curve going to a new machine, I just didn't realize what the problem(s) would be and boy it sure seems like it's going to take forever to learn how to use this foot. I've ordered a hopping foot for the 7700 so hopefully that works better In case it doesn't:
Has anyone gone from a hopping foot to a gliding foot, and other than practice practice, how did you overcome it?
I recently bought a used Janome Horizon 7700 because I've dreamt of a bigger throat for years now. I still love my little Janome Magnolia 7318, but we simply don't have room for a longarm or a sitdown mid/longarm, so a big throat machine was what I knew I'd have to get. Great deal too!
So I've heard from many about how the Janome Convertible FMQ foot is awesome, glorious, made of fluffy dream clouds, everything, and it came with the 7700 so I was super excited to try to FMQ on it. I just finished sandwiching a baby quilt for a friend's incoming baby so I started getting the 7700 ready. My 7318 has a hopping foot and I've felt pretty good about my stitch quality and length, and I've quilted many quilts on it from baby to king.
Boy was I ever unprepared for the difference between a hopping foot to a gliding foot. The tension was terrible on my first test sandwich and I didn't realize it at first because I was thinking: gee this feels really weird, maybe this is one of those "sensitive" machines that doesn't like glue basting?? I'm in so much trouble if it won't let me glue baste.... Why is it making that sound? Why does it feel so odd?
When I flipped it over, there were eyelashes everywhere. It was terrible. I could rip a stitch on the back about 3 inches away and just pull the thread straight out. Turns out the auto tension is bad news bears when FMQ and the gliding foot is very particular about the height it's set at. Great. Test sandwhich #2 turned out better, so I gave it a go on the baby quilt.
I broke thread about 4 times in the first 5 minutes. I haven't built a foam insulation topper for the 7700 yet but you bet that's first on my list once there is time! The extension table simply doesn't provide enough space. Using books and boxes around the extension was better but still not great since the quilt still catches on the corners of books. Frustrating.
Ok so here's the worst part: I've always heard people talk about how difficult it is to get consistent stitch length on their machine and I didn't really have this problem. Chalked it up to: 7318 is mechanical, simpler machine, maybe that's what made the difference for me. No! I think it's the hopping vs gliding foot! The gliding foot on the 7700 means there is absolutely no resistance when I'm moving the quilt under the needle. For me, that means sometimes the weight of the quilt in front of me is much harder to control and I can't move my hands smoothly (I've heard about putting a pillow in the lap to take the weight of the quilt, but I couldn't try that since our 2 year old was in the room with me). I also had to reposition my hands much more often. With the hopping foot, it provides a little bit of resistance - enough that I can actually let my hands get more than 6 inches away from the needle and still have control over the quilt. With the gliding foot, it was like trying to guide a slippery eel that was wriggling away from me! My stitch length was wildly inconsistent and boy is that ever frustrating to see.
I knew there would be a learning curve going to a new machine, I just didn't realize what the problem(s) would be and boy it sure seems like it's going to take forever to learn how to use this foot. I've ordered a hopping foot for the 7700 so hopefully that works better
In case it doesn't:Has anyone gone from a hopping foot to a gliding foot, and other than practice practice, how did you overcome it?
04-08-2019, 07:09 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: West Kentucky
Posts: 1,100
Wish I could help you, but I am not familiar with a gliding foot. All I have is a sitdown Sunshine 16 and a hopping foot. From the sound of your experience I think I'll stick with what I have. So sorry for all of your problems. It really can take the joy out of the finishing process.
04-08-2019, 07:29 AM
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,191
Originally Posted by Sephie
Friends, I have discovered a whole new world of frustration and now I think I understand better why others are frustrated with the look of their FMQ. I do have a question at the end, so please bear with me
I recently bought a used Janome Horizon 7700 because I've dreamt of a bigger throat for years now. I still love my little Janome Magnolia 7318, but we simply don't have room for a longarm or a sitdown mid/longarm, so a big throat machine was what I knew I'd have to get. Great deal too!
So I've heard from many about how the Janome Convertible FMQ foot is awesome, glorious, made of fluffy dream clouds, everything, and it came with the 7700 so I was super excited to try to FMQ on it. I just finished sandwiching a baby quilt for a friend's incoming baby so I started getting the 7700 ready. My 7318 has a hopping foot and I've felt pretty good about my stitch quality and length, and I've quilted many quilts on it from baby to king.
Boy was I ever unprepared for the difference between a hopping foot to a gliding foot. The tension was terrible on my first test sandwich and I didn't realize it at first because I was thinking: gee this feels really weird, maybe this is one of those "sensitive" machines that doesn't like glue basting?? I'm in so much trouble if it won't let me glue baste.... Why is it making that sound? Why does it feel so odd?
When I flipped it over, there were eyelashes everywhere. It was terrible. I could rip a stitch on the back about 3 inches away and just pull the thread straight out. Turns out the auto tension is bad news bears when FMQ and the gliding foot is very particular about the height it's set at. Great. Test sandwhich #2 turned out better, so I gave it a go on the baby quilt.
I broke thread about 4 times in the first 5 minutes. I haven't built a foam insulation topper for the 7700 yet but you bet that's first on my list once there is time! The extension table simply doesn't provide enough space. Using books and boxes around the extension was better but still not great since the quilt still catches on the corners of books. Frustrating.
Ok so here's the worst part: I've always heard people talk about how difficult it is to get consistent stitch length on their machine and I didn't really have this problem. Chalked it up to: 7318 is mechanical, simpler machine, maybe that's what made the difference for me. No! I think it's the hopping vs gliding foot! The gliding foot on the 7700 means there is absolutely no resistance when I'm moving the quilt under the needle. For me, that means sometimes the weight of the quilt in front of me is much harder to control and I can't move my hands smoothly (I've heard about putting a pillow in the lap to take the weight of the quilt, but I couldn't try that since our 2 year old was in the room with me). I also had to reposition my hands much more often. With the hopping foot, it provides a little bit of resistance - enough that I can actually let my hands get more than 6 inches away from the needle and still have control over the quilt. With the gliding foot, it was like trying to guide a slippery eel that was wriggling away from me! My stitch length was wildly inconsistent and boy is that ever frustrating to see.
I knew there would be a learning curve going to a new machine, I just didn't realize what the problem(s) would be and boy it sure seems like it's going to take forever to learn how to use this foot. I've ordered a hopping foot for the 7700 so hopefully that works better In case it doesn't:
Has anyone gone from a hopping foot to a gliding foot, and other than practice practice, how did you overcome it?
I recently bought a used Janome Horizon 7700 because I've dreamt of a bigger throat for years now. I still love my little Janome Magnolia 7318, but we simply don't have room for a longarm or a sitdown mid/longarm, so a big throat machine was what I knew I'd have to get. Great deal too!
So I've heard from many about how the Janome Convertible FMQ foot is awesome, glorious, made of fluffy dream clouds, everything, and it came with the 7700 so I was super excited to try to FMQ on it. I just finished sandwiching a baby quilt for a friend's incoming baby so I started getting the 7700 ready. My 7318 has a hopping foot and I've felt pretty good about my stitch quality and length, and I've quilted many quilts on it from baby to king.
Boy was I ever unprepared for the difference between a hopping foot to a gliding foot. The tension was terrible on my first test sandwich and I didn't realize it at first because I was thinking: gee this feels really weird, maybe this is one of those "sensitive" machines that doesn't like glue basting?? I'm in so much trouble if it won't let me glue baste.... Why is it making that sound? Why does it feel so odd?
When I flipped it over, there were eyelashes everywhere. It was terrible. I could rip a stitch on the back about 3 inches away and just pull the thread straight out. Turns out the auto tension is bad news bears when FMQ and the gliding foot is very particular about the height it's set at. Great. Test sandwhich #2 turned out better, so I gave it a go on the baby quilt.
I broke thread about 4 times in the first 5 minutes. I haven't built a foam insulation topper for the 7700 yet but you bet that's first on my list once there is time! The extension table simply doesn't provide enough space. Using books and boxes around the extension was better but still not great since the quilt still catches on the corners of books. Frustrating.
Ok so here's the worst part: I've always heard people talk about how difficult it is to get consistent stitch length on their machine and I didn't really have this problem. Chalked it up to: 7318 is mechanical, simpler machine, maybe that's what made the difference for me. No! I think it's the hopping vs gliding foot! The gliding foot on the 7700 means there is absolutely no resistance when I'm moving the quilt under the needle. For me, that means sometimes the weight of the quilt in front of me is much harder to control and I can't move my hands smoothly (I've heard about putting a pillow in the lap to take the weight of the quilt, but I couldn't try that since our 2 year old was in the room with me). I also had to reposition my hands much more often. With the hopping foot, it provides a little bit of resistance - enough that I can actually let my hands get more than 6 inches away from the needle and still have control over the quilt. With the gliding foot, it was like trying to guide a slippery eel that was wriggling away from me! My stitch length was wildly inconsistent and boy is that ever frustrating to see.
I knew there would be a learning curve going to a new machine, I just didn't realize what the problem(s) would be and boy it sure seems like it's going to take forever to learn how to use this foot. I've ordered a hopping foot for the 7700 so hopefully that works better
In case it doesn't:Has anyone gone from a hopping foot to a gliding foot, and other than practice practice, how did you overcome it?
04-08-2019, 08:30 AM
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,457
No experience with your machine but I prefer my non hopping ruler foot to FMQ, over my hopping foot. If you can set the speed on your machine, try going slower with the gliding foot. Use needle down so you can stop and reposition your hands and the quilt frequently. If you are trying to FMQ without Machinger gloves or similar, the gloves really do help to move the quilt for FMQ.
04-08-2019, 09:19 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,348
With the gliding foot you have to be much more careful of how high it is set from your material in order to get a good stitch. It should just skim across the fabric. There is a screw adjustment that allows you to raise and lower it.
I find with the hopping foot it sort of "tells" you when to move, in a jerkier way. With the gliding foot, you may find with practice you get nicer curves and circles. Just be sure there is no drag on your quilt and as Tartan says, use your needle down to hold the quilt as you reposition.
Watson
I find with the hopping foot it sort of "tells" you when to move, in a jerkier way. With the gliding foot, you may find with practice you get nicer curves and circles. Just be sure there is no drag on your quilt and as Tartan says, use your needle down to hold the quilt as you reposition.
Watson
04-08-2019, 11:49 AM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: North Florida
Posts: 2,156
I have had a Janome 7700 for 4 years. I, too, wanted a larger throat on my machine. I started using the Accufeed dual feed foot, fell in love with it, and I do all my quilting with straight lines. I haven't tried to do free motion quilting with this machine. Maybe someday I'll have some time to play with it.
04-08-2019, 02:44 PM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 269
Thank you, yes. The tension issues are no longer the problem - it's the age old problem of no stitch regular and wildly inconsistent stitch length. I did adjust the screw to have the foot gliding over the top to the point that (again) I sometimes now have the problem of getting stuck on bulky intersections (didn't happen with the hopping foot!). I also do have Machinger's gloves. I took the tension off Auto and have it set to something that works now, so the tension is mostly fine now.
Did anyone else find there was a huge learning curve going from hopping foot to gliding foot? Because I didn't have problems making smooth curves before and now I do. So many new issues
Tartan, great reminder to go slower. I do prefer to go faster since I think the curves are smoother a little faster but maybe I'm just going too fast. Didn't help that the design I chose (loop inside a loop) was All curvy! Why do you prefer the gliding foot? I'm the opposite right now!
Did anyone else find there was a huge learning curve going from hopping foot to gliding foot? Because I didn't have problems making smooth curves before and now I do. So many new issues
Tartan, great reminder to go slower. I do prefer to go faster since I think the curves are smoother a little faster but maybe I'm just going too fast. Didn't help that the design I chose (loop inside a loop) was All curvy! Why do you prefer the gliding foot? I'm the opposite right now!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 04-08-2019 at 03:26 PM. Reason: shouting/all caps
04-08-2019, 03:52 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 594
I started out using a hopper foot, but I always seemed to have lurches and stitch length issues. So I bought a generic hopper foot and modified it to be a glider, as Leah Day (I think) showed how in one of her videos. I do a little better with it, but I, too, have problems getting over thick seams. You just have to find the happy medium between foot height, tension, speed, needle size, and …..phase of the moon, maybe.
You are braver than I am, trying to FMQ with a loose 2 year old in the house. Kudos to you!
You are braver than I am, trying to FMQ with a loose 2 year old in the house. Kudos to you!
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