ghostrider

See what the manual says the settings should be for darning. That should get you where you want to be.

Holice

If you drop feed dogs stitch length doesn't matter.. Or am I missing something.

BellaBoo

I read an article some time ago that said leaving feed dogs up when free motion quilting or thread painting will harm your machine over time and told why. I wasn't interested in machine quilting at the time so didn't save it. I wish I could remember who wrote it or published it.

TerryQuilter

I used to drop my feed dogs when FMQ, but ALWAYS had a problem with tension after returning to regular sewing. Since leaving feed dogs up and changing stitch length to 0, I have not had any tension problems after FMQ. Leaving feed dogs up does not hamper the action of free motion.

marilynr

I have a Baby Lock machine & it also does not go to stitch length of O, but .2 & it works just fine. I tried this because
Leah Day states that she does not drop the feed dogs, but puts stitch length at O.

I found this works much better for me than dropping the feed dogs.
Marilyn

scarlet14

can you contact the store where you bought the machine---I find my dealer very helpful for 99.9% of my problems

ShirlinAZ

This is exactly what I do. I have a Pfaff and the stitch length will go to 0 but it doesn't matter with the hopping foot.

Holice asked why leave the feed dogs up? I find I have better control of stitch length and where the stitch goes by leaving the feed dogs up. That slight bit of drag is just enough to prevent random 1/2" long stitches.

Also, I just don't have to remember if they are up or down, and it works for me, so why not?

mdall

I have never heard of FMQ with the feed dogs up. I have tension issue when I FMQ on my machine maybe Ill try that next time.

Back to your question. My machine doesnt allow me to drop to 0 either. I just drop it as far as it will will go and carry on.

grandmaof3

I have a Babyloclk Grace machine and am learning to FMQ on it. My question is about how long did it take for all of you to get your stitches regulated.? i keep practicing but so far my stitches aren' spaced even and the back side doesn't look to great either. Looks like eyelashes on back. i have tried with feed dogs down and up. I bought a slider but to my idea that isn't slick enough. I still have some drag. Anyone have ideas on what to use instead of a slider?

donna13350

I never could see the logic, either...but once I tried it, I will never go back! Leaving your feed dogs up and your stitch set at 2.5 actually works much like a stitch regulator, and because of the hopping foot, you can very, very easily move your fabric in every direction with no pull or drag.
I use Leah Day's modified hopping foot(directions on her site)..and that is just one more addition to making FMQ enjoyable...get some scrap fabric and try it...you might like it!