ThayerRags

Hint #2: Putting in a new size 11 needle helped for a while....

CD in Oklahoma

Sarabela

Yes she does bend it back. I didn't bother doing that because the needle bar screw never makes it up high enough to even touch the bar. I must not have gotten the correct FMQ foot for my machine but it's working fine with the modification so I'll stick with it unless I encounter problems in the future.

Thayer I can't imagine what the problem was for your wife. Dying to know what it was!

Candace

I like and prefer my hopping foot to hop. But whatever works for you.

Sarabela

I've never used one that actually works and hops so perhaps I would prefer it too. For now, on my limited pre-Christmas budget, this will have to do!

KenmoreGal2

Thayer Rags - I'm on the edge of my seat! What fixed or caused the problem?

FWIW - I FMQ on my 1958 Kenmore. I have one of those FMQ feet with the spring and the clear foot but my machine does not like that one. It causes the fabric to flag terribly. I use a darning foot instead. Works like a charm for me. Just a one piece metal darning foot.

liking quilting

Thayer Rags...we're waiting patiently for your answer(s)! Please tell us soon.

thutch

Maybe she was quilting through Insul-brite?

ThayerRags

No, there was no Insul-brite involved. Thank you for your guess. Only cotton fabric top and bottom, with a layer of Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 cotton batting in the middle.

Hint #3: The problem wouldn’t be specifically to any one brand or type of vintage machine, and the solution would be effective for about any brand or type of machine.

Are there any other guesses before I give the whole story?

CD in Oklahoma

liking quilting

ThayerRags, did it have anything to do with needing to clean snips of thread out of the bobbin area?

KenmoreGal2

One time after a long bout of FMQ, my bobbin tension got all messed up. I guess from all the vibration and moving around of the fabric? IDK. I adjusted the bobbin case using the little screw and then it was ok. Was that it?