Pat54615

I have this machine and absolutely love it! I was told to set machine for Q foot (but use hopping foot or r foot) Lower the feed dogs and set machine speed to med and use the button to start and stop instead of the foot petal and that way you only have to worry about movine the fabric and not the foot pedal

lillybeck

Mariposa has the right answer, I found out very quickly that trying to go too fast makes the stitches too long.

steelervic

When I first tried to learn FMQ I had the same problem with controlling the stitches. Then I found out the Quilt Police had no way of knowing what I was doing, so I started to "cheat" -- kept the feed dogs up all the time. It made such a difference and I had no problem with stitch length. When the feed dogs are up, you can't move the fabric as quickly, so you get a lot more control. When I had the feed dogs down I would try to move it just a little and it would move a few inches. I have been quilting with the feed dogs up for about 10 years now, and have never even broken a needle. Good luck!

Deb watkins

This is what I have done, I set it to the medium speed, so no matter how hard I press the foot, it stays at the constant speed. It makes my moving around easier. And I am still doing stippling, and just lazy hearts or circles or flowers, not sure enough of myself to tackle the feathers that are so beautifully done by others.

Dkm

If your machine has 1/2 speed control. Use it. It will make a world of difference.

GABBYABBY

I have a Designer I On the screen press SET
the screen will come up with options to turn on or off.
at the bottom press the MORE button I think twice
and you will find one of the options to turn on free
motion or turn it off. Press on. Make sure feed dogs
are down. that is all you do and I found that I do
better if i go slow. Because if I go too fast the thread
breaks. You do not have to mess with the stitch
length or anythings else.
Hope this helps. If all else fails.....look at the manual.
I ended up having to do that.

patdesign

Problem with feed dogs up is that you cannot manuever side to side like you would want. :-)

shrabar

I also have a designer 1 & I just finished a king quilt & most of it was fmq. I went out & bought a fab u motion & boy it did a wonderful job this was my first time using it I di pratice & It says to also put the pressure on 0 I will post pictures soon. I am very please with it . no sore neck & you dont need gloves. if you want more information email me at [email protected] shrabar

jitkaau

Sounds like you want it to happen too quickly. It won't get good on your first quilt. I continue to improve after doing a few hundred charity ones before I tackled some of mine. Even now, when my quilting is pretty good, I still get out the practice sandwich and play with the stitching until I get 'freed up' and into the rhythm. Just try a simple meandering or swirly stitch first - ones that don't have to be balanced. They look the best, as you can't "spot the mistake".

rosalyne

run the machine at medium speed and move your fabric slower and at the same pace. also use a size 90-14 quilting needle. Make up a 12" sq. to practice on and don't look at your needle look at where your going to sew. hang in there it will happen.