nance-ell

Last night, for the first time, I loaded my open toe "darning" foot and tried FMQ. :XD:

So, I grab the computer and search youtube for videos. I found Patsy Thompson videos which I really enjoyed and loved her tips. When I saw her show setting her machine for the needle stop position down, I thought what a great idea! However, I can't figure out how to do that on my Kenmore 19110. I went through the manual and couldn't find it. So if anyone knows how to do it, I'd love to hear from you!

As for my FMQ first attempt... it's pretty pitiful! How can anything that looks so easy be sooooooo confounding?!?!? I can see I'm going to need king sized practice (in small pieces of course) before I can ever think of touching a good quilt with FMQ :|

MTS

Not every machine has the needle down feature so you might be looking in vain. ;-) I don't know about your specific machine.

Have you been to Patty's blog?
The most gorgeous creations-
http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/blog/

nance-ell

MTS, I saw that she has a website/blog, but haven't spent any time there yet.

As for the needle down position on my machine, I found it! yea!!!!

All I needed to do was look at the diagram in the front of the manual at all the button and not try to read the whole manual! LOL

Holice

as said above. your machine may not have the down position. But check to see if your foot control will make the need stay up or down if you tap on it. Some machines do.
If your machine does not have the down button, then be sure your hands stay on the quilt when you stop so it won't move as you change positions. Turn the hand wheel to put the needle down so it will hold the quilt while you hange positions. And go slow. And then hold the quilt in position and take a stitch or two in position until you have control with your hands. This will help in not letting the quilt jump when you start again.

MTS

That's great. It's one of my favorite features on my machine.

If you haven't already, also check out Leah's site:
http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...tart-here.html
Fabulous tips (and inspiration) on how to start FMQ your own quilts.

Dolphyngyrl

There is a button on my machine that I push, if you don't have a button your machine probably doesn't have that feature. They are usually on the higher end machines, my cheaper machine doesn't have that feature

ube quilting

Holice, has the right answer! You win!
peace :D