FMQ on an old Singer?
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PROFESSIONAL Longarm Quilter NW Indiana
Posts: 3,398
FMQ on an old Singer?
I've tried FMQ on my 'newer' Brother sewing machine...not liking it.
I have lots of other Singer machines, 301, 401, 221, 319?, 501? I lose track......
Anyway, Do you FMQ on an older Singer? If so, What model and why?
Thanks for your thoughts.
I have lots of other Singer machines, 301, 401, 221, 319?, 501? I lose track......
Anyway, Do you FMQ on an older Singer? If so, What model and why?
Thanks for your thoughts.
#3
I've tried FMQ on my 403 to no avail. Then after researching I found out that the machines with horizontal bobbins don't do as well with FMQ. Something about the motion & # of revolutions of the bobbin to pick up stitches, I think. However, any of the machines with the vertical bobbins are supposed to work quite well for FMQ. I have not yet tried FMQ with my Featherweight, and just recently bought a 15 "clone" & have yet to take it for a FMQ test drive.
#4
I've done FMQ on my 201 in the past, and it was decent. However, I've recently done some on my 15-91, and I was amazed at how nice it was! I had extremely few problems with tension like I've had on other machines (new and old). I'm not great at FMQ, but it was much easier for me on the 15-91. I've seen people say it's because of the bobbin orientation being vertical rather than horizontal. Being in a cabinet helps too. I've used my mother's modern Huskvarna-Viking before, and it scooted all over the place.
#5
I do all my FMQ on my Featherweight. Once you get the practice in to get your stitch length moving with your movement of the quilt, it does a BEAUTIFUL job.
I have also used my 201, which works much the same way, but I find the Featherweight is much less stressful - fewer bobbin thread problems.
Note: I've been using Coats and Clark thread which is VERY linty and a 14 - 16 needle which is pretty big for FMQ. Recently took a class and the teacher convinced me to try Aurifil 30 weight thread and an 11 needle. Boy what a difference in the size of the hole/quality of the quilting with the thinner thread.
Bottom line: the older machines can do anything the newer machines can do; they just need more attachments to do the same thing. In many cases the older machines do a much better job, because they are not as complicated to maintain. Just get the appropriate foot for your machine (walking foot and FMQ/embroidery foot) and go for it!
Good luck.
I have also used my 201, which works much the same way, but I find the Featherweight is much less stressful - fewer bobbin thread problems.
Note: I've been using Coats and Clark thread which is VERY linty and a 14 - 16 needle which is pretty big for FMQ. Recently took a class and the teacher convinced me to try Aurifil 30 weight thread and an 11 needle. Boy what a difference in the size of the hole/quality of the quilting with the thinner thread.
Bottom line: the older machines can do anything the newer machines can do; they just need more attachments to do the same thing. In many cases the older machines do a much better job, because they are not as complicated to maintain. Just get the appropriate foot for your machine (walking foot and FMQ/embroidery foot) and go for it!
Good luck.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
My 301 does a wonderful job. I just completed a very large lap quilt - think a wide twin - without one thread or bobbin issue. AnnieRose thread painted the animals and FMQed and STID with any thread that matched without a hitch. I used Isacord, rayon, old C &C - whatever color I needed. I love that I can see better with the slant needle when doing outlining and fill in work.
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 383
I've tried FMQ on my 403 to no avail. Then after researching I found out that the machines with horizontal bobbins don't do as well with FMQ. Something about the motion & # of revolutions of the bobbin to pick up stitches, I think. However, any of the machines with the vertical bobbins are supposed to work quite well for FMQ. I have not yet tried FMQ with my Featherweight, and just recently bought a 15 "clone" & have yet to take it for a FMQ test drive.
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Singer-S...-SCF384037.htm
And no offense to QuiltnCowgirl, but she says that her 403 can't FMQ, but she hasn't tried any of the other machines she has either.
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