Can I machine quilting with my regular sewing machine?

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12-01-2010, 07:29 AM

#21

kaykid815

Member

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Grand Junction CO

Posts: 72

I'm able to do the free motion quilting, but just cannot figure how to get a queen size quilt moved around on my little machine. I roll it, tuck it, try to turn it -- but get SOOO frustrated because it is so big. Working on a wall hanging is do-able, but how do you work on a full-size quilt??

12-01-2010, 08:43 AM

#22

BATIKQLTR

Junior Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: California

Posts: 298

I section it off into quadrants and roll the rest and use those clamps that look like open hoops. Put the largest part away from the machine. I also set up a portable table in front of my machine to hold the rest of the quilt up so it doesn't drag so much with the weight. It isn't real easy, but doable. I don't make too many queen/double size as I quilt mostly for children or lap size for assisted care homes.

12-01-2010, 08:59 AM

#23

janb

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Northeast Colorado

Posts: 422

If the feed dogs will not drop, there is a feed dog cover that should be with your machine, or your sewing machine man can order one for you.

12-01-2010, 09:01 AM

#24

janb

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Northeast Colorado

Posts: 422

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwyn

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelondonzoo

I know, it's probably a very "newbie" question. :) lol

I have a regular old Kenmore sewing machine and I have done some quilting on it but only straight lines. Is there a way to do tight curves or scrolls? I see such pretty quilting in the photos section and would love to do something like that. Will I one day have to save up for a $1500 sewing machine or can I somehow use my Kenmore?

Thanks!

Yes! I discovered this pasat weekend that I can machine quilt IF I use flannel as the batting instead of anything else. The 2 quilts I made for Secret Santa I ended up tying because I didn't know. This weekend I made 2 wallhanging/lap quilts, using flannel as the batting and it was just like sewing through 3 layers of fabric. No problem. Looks very old fashioned...AND...the flannel holds the fabrics together without a lot of pins.

Granted, the largest was only 50 X 65, but still, I was finished in hours instead of days, it lays flat and looks really cool.

I agree with you, it is possible with less batting, and a smaller quilt.

12-01-2010, 10:34 AM

#25

patdesign

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: So. Fla now, Va orig

Posts: 1,565

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelondonzoo

Not necessarily, if the feed dogs drop that helps, if not there are coverplates that you may be able to use. I use my 201 straight stitch Singer and even though I can drop the feed dogs I usually don't. Once you get a small darning/quilting foot, you can manuever better, check out big foot or little foot attachments for your appropriate machine shank. I do a lot of ditch quilting on the one Iam working on and just used a walking foot with feed dogs UP. Lots of starts and stops though on the curvey stuff I am outline quilting in the center of my blocks. Iam a QAYG quilter but looking forward to Santa this year and a quilting type machine, (not the pricey ones). Check out you tube for free motion quilting, the person posting the TUTES was patsem, and a link was posted on another thread a few days ago. Very helpful as she used a regular home sewing machine. :-D

12-01-2010, 03:52 PM

#26

garysgal

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: in the heart of the awl

Posts: 1,015

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlehud

I have a Juki on a frame to free motion quilt with but before that I did it all on my regular machine. I still do small quilts on the reg. machine.

Same here- and if you can't lower your feed dogs, you should cover them. my old singer has a clear plastic cover that snaps over the dogs-you could use a piece of thin cardboard. I don't know why, but I got much better results when I covered my feed dogs when I used the old machine.

12-01-2010, 04:59 PM

#27

awf60

Junior Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Wyoming

Posts: 264

I am so glad you asked this question. I was wondering the very same thing. Thanks for the question and the answers!

12-01-2010, 05:52 PM

#28

Illsa

Junior Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Posts: 119

Can I pick your brain? I am new to the frame and free motion. How do you figure out where to break designs. I have flat sided meanderings at times. When doing stitch in the ditch how do you end?
Is there a web site somewhere that discusses these issues?Illsa

12-01-2010, 06:19 PM

#29

Lilyized

Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Oakley, CA

Posts: 44

Can someone help me understand...what does a stitch regulator do and will not having one impact my ability to FM. THANKS!

12-01-2010, 06:29 PM

#30

garysgal

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: in the heart of the awl

Posts: 1,015

The stitch regulator keeps your stitches from being uneven. some short, some long, that type of thing. I'm hoping I can find one for my Juki but not sure they make them for it.