sheree alexander

Yes, I am one of the lucky owners of a sweet little black machine that hums for piecing and just looks so good, even when she first wakes up in the morning!
Here's my question: I can easily topstitch on small items like potholders, denim layers,etc.
BUT, when I try to do some simple machine quilting on a baby quilt or throw (with a walking foot) the material stretches and the stitches get tiny. I feel like I am feeding it through easily.
I have increased the stitch size--and I am using Warm and Natural batting and a backing--no other layers--just like the smaller pieces that go through the machine so well. What gives? Should I be using a larger needle, too? Any advice will be most appreciated!

PaperPrincess

I'm guessing that the quilt is dragging and so the machine can't pull the fabric thru at a fast enough rate. Do you have a larger work surface or just the machine bed?

lots2do

Are you using a walking foot made specifically for a Featherweight? I have read that a regular low shank W.F. will not line up properly with the feed dogs.

sheree alexander

Thanks for the replies. Yes, the walking foot I purchased from April's 1930's....specifically for 221 and 222.
I do only have machine bed and diningroom table--I do not have a bed attachment to make surface bigger....

Annaquilts

For a needle try using 90/14 top stitch when quilting. I don't use my Feather Weight to quilt with but I am using my Singer 15-91.

Annaquilts

:thumbup:

Boopers

I found that the FW is to light of a machine to quilt anything larger than a table runner. It's not the mechanics of the machine, It is the weight of it.

Rose_P

Have you tried easing the pressure on the presser foot? There's a button above it. I know there is at least one person on this board I have seen mention she quilts with a FW - including fairly large quilts. I don't know who it was.

sheree alexander

Hi, I have wondered about the weight of it! I have seen where people have said they have quilted with it, and so I thought I could at least do stitch in the ditch and simple lines of quilting on babyquilts and smaller lap quilts.
Unless I am doing something incredibly wrong--I just don't see how that's going to happen for me on this machine.
I have been casually watching for a 201--also a low shank machine but heavy and full-size....
but I have also heard that you can mess with the tension, too--I just don't quite trust my "expertise" level yet.
thanks again for feedback