quiltingcurious

I'm just starting to practice FMQ on my Singer 301, has anyone done a double quilt using FMQ, if so I'd love to see a tutorial because I can't imagine how to do it. It helps to see someone that has been successful doing their quilt.
Thanks

Little Sue 4.9

I've only done a lap quilt but I had Stitching Joy quilt it for me. The largest thing I've quilted on my 301 is a Baby quilt. I had to roll the sides up. Sorry I couldn't be of any help to you but that's how I did it.

quiltingcurious

Thanks for your input too. I'd love to see someone videotape their free-motion quilting on their 301.
I just learn better by seeing the technique and hearing someone's explanation and instruction, especially on a Vintage machine, it is a little different than the long arms that do a beautiful job.
The 301's remind me of the Little Engine that Could!
Since, it's my mom's machine and she was a wonderful seamstress but never quilted. I'd like to do a quilt thinking of how she'd have liked to see it sewn on her 301 on which she taught me to sew at 12. I wasn't always an appreciative pupil.

Grannymom

I did quite a few double quilts on my 301 before I got a Bailey...
I've said it before and I'll say it again - get a pair of rubberized gardening gloves from WM for less than five dollars - you will be AMAZED at how easy it is to handle, manipulate, move, that quilt with those gloves on...
The other tip is to use a big table so the quilt is supported.

quiltingcurious

What is WM? It's very encouraging to hear how you've done several full sized quilts on your 301.
If you do another, it would be great to see your technique.
Are you talking about the cloth kind with rubber dots on the palms?
Did you lower your feed dog. I first did that but it seemed to be better with the feed dog up.
What did you put your stitch regulator on? I put it on the lowest position available.
I know it will be a lot of practice to go in all directions.
How did you transfer your design to the quilt top?
Thanks for all your help.

Annette Searcy

WM, Wallyworld, Wal-Mart

Grannymom

WM=WalMart
yes, lower the feed dogs, use a darning foot (available for slant machines at Hancocks - and other places)
no, not with dots, I've not found that little bitty dots help much, if you look in the gardening department at WM you will see what I'm talking about IF they are still available this time of year because they've already started putting out Christmas stuff
I didn't move the stitch regulator - it doesn't matter with a darning foot and feed dogs down
I didn't use a design - I used "free motion", which is what you asked about

himnherr

I can answer 2 of your questions- WM is Walmart. I have a 301 but haven't fmq'd on it yet. Am looking forward to it, though. So far, I've done about 9 but on a different machine. The last one I did I used stencils- entwined hearts- I marked my quilt with a thin bar of soap. It worked great- was fast, stayed on it and washed right out. I also used one of those blue quilt marking pens that came out simply by spraying a water mist on it. I've also read that you can use washable crayola markers. I'm going to try that next as you can buy a whole pkg. of those for the price of one quilt marking pen. But, I'll try it on a scrap first, of course.

lewisl

Machingers gloves for FMQ. Sorry to be bossy about it, but just try them and you'll be sold. Lightweight and breathable (I've accidentally gotten up from my machine and wandered around doing other things while still wearing them and not noticed!). When they start to get worn out you can just switch them to the other hand which gives you a new surface.

The woman who does instructional videos on Superior Threads' website wears Machingers, I've noticed.

Please just try them! (Unless you have large hands, try the S/M ones first).

quiltingcurious

Do you do all your FMQ without a stencil because I've seen patterns sold for FMQ or are you just meaning stippling?
You must be very creative to FMQ without any markings to guide your work doing a quilt top.
I will try with the feed dog down and look for the gloves.
I have seen the machingers too.
Thanks for all the tips.