FMQ on a Singer 15-91 (Ruler foot)
02-12-2021, 09:44 PM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 10
FMQ on a Singer 15-91 (Ruler foot)
Hello,
I'm very new to sewing (just got my Singer 15-91 today actually). I.e. I'm on a steep learning curve at the moment on learning not just the machine but how to FMQ. During my research I saw that you can use rulers when FMQ but that requires a ruler foot. It isn't clear to me what ruler foot I should get that would fit a 15-91, only that it should probably be low shank. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, what thickness of rulers should I look at that would be appropriate to use on a 15-91 (i.e. 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch)?
I'm very new to sewing (just got my Singer 15-91 today actually). I.e. I'm on a steep learning curve at the moment on learning not just the machine but how to FMQ. During my research I saw that you can use rulers when FMQ but that requires a ruler foot. It isn't clear to me what ruler foot I should get that would fit a 15-91, only that it should probably be low shank. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, what thickness of rulers should I look at that would be appropriate to use on a 15-91 (i.e. 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch)?
02-13-2021, 05:36 AM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 13
Work on finding a ruler foot first...I'd be interested to see if one is made for the vintage machines. Learn as much as you can about the machine too, and maintenance 
FM on the vintage can be challenging as you're battling 50-60-80 years of someone changing parts of your machine...so I know personally I've struggled in just the normal freemotion.
Can you freemotion on it? Have you just tried doodling on a stack successfully?
FM on the vintage can be challenging as you're battling 50-60-80 years of someone changing parts of your machine...so I know personally I've struggled in just the normal freemotion.Can you freemotion on it? Have you just tried doodling on a stack successfully?
Last edited by featherw8love; 02-13-2021 at 05:38 AM.
02-13-2021, 07:04 AM
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,819
I don't do FMQ yet, but have bought a ruler foot set. It's not easy to do immediately. It takes time to learn and to acquire muscle memory for this new skill. Westalee is the major manufacturer of rulers and ruler feet. I think they are available at other places, too, but don't know for sure. Your 15-91 is one of the best machines for FMQ. The vertical bobbin is supposed to make the thread path straighter (I'm repeating what I've read) and therefore better for FMQ.
I'ts unlikely any parts have been changed on your machine. They last forever and rarely need parts as long as they have been oiled and greased somewhat regularly. If you need a manual to show your the oil and grease points, they are available for free download from ismacs.net.
The ruler foot set is about $40.00, if I remember correctly. You will need the one for short shank machines. The foot is set just above the fabric so that you can move your quilt easily. The rulers are thicker than regular rulers so that they won't slide under the foot.
That's about all I know about the subject other than it's not as easy as it looks. I messed with it a little and realized how much practice it would take to get it to go smoothly as you have to move the fabric at the same speed that your machine is running.
I would suggest you post your other FMQ questions to the main forum where it will get more attention from those who already do FMQ or are learning. Any questions about your machine are best answered here.
bkay
I'ts unlikely any parts have been changed on your machine. They last forever and rarely need parts as long as they have been oiled and greased somewhat regularly. If you need a manual to show your the oil and grease points, they are available for free download from ismacs.net.
The ruler foot set is about $40.00, if I remember correctly. You will need the one for short shank machines. The foot is set just above the fabric so that you can move your quilt easily. The rulers are thicker than regular rulers so that they won't slide under the foot.
That's about all I know about the subject other than it's not as easy as it looks. I messed with it a little and realized how much practice it would take to get it to go smoothly as you have to move the fabric at the same speed that your machine is running.
I would suggest you post your other FMQ questions to the main forum where it will get more attention from those who already do FMQ or are learning. Any questions about your machine are best answered here.
bkay
02-13-2021, 06:32 PM
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,071
I LOVE my rulers! They're a lot of fun to use and make some great designs.
The rulers should match the foot. High shank feet use high shank rulers. Low shank feet use low shank rulers.
You don't necessarily need to lower your feed dogs. I like to leave them up. It gives me a rhythm to work with. Just reduce the presser foot tension, which is the knob on top, above the presser foot.
The woman who invented the Westalee ruler foot and rulers used a vintage Singer in her first videos. Here name is Leonie West. I tried to find her first videos, and they're gone from YouTube. She uses a newer, computerized machine now.
The rulers should match the foot. High shank feet use high shank rulers. Low shank feet use low shank rulers.
You don't necessarily need to lower your feed dogs. I like to leave them up. It gives me a rhythm to work with. Just reduce the presser foot tension, which is the knob on top, above the presser foot.
The woman who invented the Westalee ruler foot and rulers used a vintage Singer in her first videos. Here name is Leonie West. I tried to find her first videos, and they're gone from YouTube. She uses a newer, computerized machine now.
02-13-2021, 08:27 PM
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by featherw8love
Work on finding a ruler foot first...I'd be interested to see if one is made for the vintage machines. Learn as much as you can about the machine too, and maintenance FM on the vintage can be challenging as you're battling 50-60-80 years of someone changing parts of your machine...so I know personally I've struggled in just the normal freemotion.
Can you freemotion on it? Have you just tried doodling on a stack successfully?
FM on the vintage can be challenging as you're battling 50-60-80 years of someone changing parts of your machine...so I know personally I've struggled in just the normal freemotion.Can you freemotion on it? Have you just tried doodling on a stack successfully?
Yes, I think I will have to make sure I find a ruler foot that works before investing in any rulers. I haven't tried to free motion quilt yet but I did order a walking foot.
02-13-2021, 08:31 PM
#7
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by bkay
I don't do FMQ yet, but have bought a ruler foot set. It's not easy to do immediately. It takes time to learn and to acquire muscle memory for this new skill. Westalee is the major manufacturer of rulers and ruler feet. I think they are available at other places, too, but don't know for sure. Your 15-91 is one of the best machines for FMQ. The vertical bobbin is supposed to make the thread path straighter (I'm repeating what I've read) and therefore better for FMQ.
I'ts unlikely any parts have been changed on your machine. They last forever and rarely need parts as long as they have been oiled and greased somewhat regularly. If you need a manual to show your the oil and grease points, they are available for free download from ismacs.net.
The ruler foot set is about $40.00, if I remember correctly. You will need the one for short shank machines. The foot is set just above the fabric so that you can move your quilt easily. The rulers are thicker than regular rulers so that they won't slide under the foot.
That's about all I know about the subject other than it's not as easy as it looks. I messed with it a little and realized how much practice it would take to get it to go smoothly as you have to move the fabric at the same speed that your machine is running.
I would suggest you post your other FMQ questions to the main forum where it will get more attention from those who already do FMQ or are learning. Any questions about your machine are best answered here.
bkay
I'ts unlikely any parts have been changed on your machine. They last forever and rarely need parts as long as they have been oiled and greased somewhat regularly. If you need a manual to show your the oil and grease points, they are available for free download from ismacs.net.
The ruler foot set is about $40.00, if I remember correctly. You will need the one for short shank machines. The foot is set just above the fabric so that you can move your quilt easily. The rulers are thicker than regular rulers so that they won't slide under the foot.
That's about all I know about the subject other than it's not as easy as it looks. I messed with it a little and realized how much practice it would take to get it to go smoothly as you have to move the fabric at the same speed that your machine is running.
I would suggest you post your other FMQ questions to the main forum where it will get more attention from those who already do FMQ or are learning. Any questions about your machine are best answered here.
bkay
And yes, based on the history of the machine, I doubt mine has gone through too many changes. The family took it to the repair shop this week to make sure it was still in working order. There was no repairs needed, just some oiling. The repair man said it was working like new!
02-13-2021, 08:36 PM
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by quiltedsunshine
I LOVE my rulers! They're a lot of fun to use and make some great designs.
The rulers should match the foot. High shank feet use high shank rulers. Low shank feet use low shank rulers.
You don't necessarily need to lower your feed dogs. I like to leave them up. It gives me a rhythm to work with. Just reduce the presser foot tension, which is the knob on top, above the presser foot.
The woman who invented the Westalee ruler foot and rulers used a vintage Singer in her first videos. Here name is Leonie West. I tried to find her first videos, and they're gone from YouTube. She uses a newer, computerized machine now.
The rulers should match the foot. High shank feet use high shank rulers. Low shank feet use low shank rulers.
You don't necessarily need to lower your feed dogs. I like to leave them up. It gives me a rhythm to work with. Just reduce the presser foot tension, which is the knob on top, above the presser foot.
The woman who invented the Westalee ruler foot and rulers used a vintage Singer in her first videos. Here name is Leonie West. I tried to find her first videos, and they're gone from YouTube. She uses a newer, computerized machine now.
02-14-2021, 06:48 AM
#9
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,819
Originally Posted by lcor
Ah that makes sense on matching the ruler size to the high/low shank. Yes I've read that there is a difference of opinions on the feed dogs so I'll have to experiment a bit. I've heard of Westalee more than a few times so I'll try to check them out. I just wish it was a bit more obvious what I should order for the 15-91
Other than feet for a certain brand of machine (Bernina uses only Bernina feet), the four kinds of feet are short, slant, high and extra high. The 15-91 takes short shank feet. Period. There are no questions or doubts about that.
bkay
