Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • FMQ on a Viking machine >
  • FMQ on a Viking machine

  • FMQ on a Viking machine

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 12-01-2011, 12:15 PM
      #1  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Oct 2011
    Location: Galion OH
    Posts: 35
    Unhappy FMQ on a Viking machine

    My DH bought me the walking and darning feet for my Scandinavian 300 machine by Viking. I'm doing well with the walking foot, but do not like the darning foot. It lifts from the fabric every stitch, and the sales rep at the Joanne's says that is how it is supposed to work. I don't seem to be able to get consistent length stitches when I'm trying to do FMQ. Any tips or suggestions for me? I really need help! Thanks so much.
    pattyrg is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 12:20 PM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    woody's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: Canberra, Australia
    Posts: 2,135
    Default

    With the darning foot, you control the stitch length by how fast you move the fabric, it takes lots of practice to move the fabric so that your stitches are nice and even. Keep practicing
    woody is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 12:21 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    wolph33's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Wi
    Posts: 9,232
    Default

    that is how it works.there is no stitch regulator-you are it.they say sew fast move slow to get nice stitches.I could not master it that way and we have a long arm now-with stitch regulator. quilting takes lots of practice on any method you choose.by the way feed dogs should be down when free motion on your domestic machine.hope this helps
    wolph33 is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 12:57 PM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Chapel Hill
    Posts: 1,086
    Default

    Yep - it is unsettling at first, but that really is the way it works. FMQ takes lots of practice to develop a comfortable rhythm for the stitching.

    Cheers, K
    CorgiNole is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 01:31 PM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: Northern Michigan
    Posts: 12,861
    Default

    it just takes practice---and patience---if you make up a stack of (practice) sandwiches- and just every once in a while when you have some time-sit down and quilt them--after some time you will get the hang of it-
    but it takes time-and lots of practice.
    ckcowl is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 02:43 PM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    donnalynett's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: Oregon
    Posts: 1,326
    Default

    I have the Viking Sapphire 855 and have been practicing for a year.....still cannot get my stitches regulated but it isn't the machine....it is me. If I get a good "rythmn" going then I can do pretty good if I do not get interrupted.
    donnalynett is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 03:22 PM
      #7  
    Senior Member
     
    donac's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Jersey Shore
    Posts: 536
    Default

    It is a lot of practice. I just finished a baby quilt and I was happy with the consistency of the stitches but I have been working at it for a while. Keep at it. It will come.
    donac is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 04:14 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Mad Mimm's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Pacific Northwest
    Posts: 1,126
    Default

    I have a Viking Emerald 118 and use it for FMQ. With enough practice, I am able to keep my stitches fairly regular. I even tried FMQ using a darning foot and leaving the feed dogs UP (read that somewhere on the 'net and decided to try it). The movement of the fabric was obviously not as easy with the dogs up, but I had an easier time getting even stitches and was still able to draw circles and pebbles, etc. I was using a small practice sandwich at the time and switched back to dogs down because I realized that if I am doing a larger blanket, the extra drag created by the dogs might be problematic. I figured it was a shortcut that will not pay off in the end and it was better to learn to do it the harder way and get my timing down.

    Do you listen to music while you FMQ? I find that VERY helpful. Good luck!
    Mad Mimm is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 05:14 PM
      #9  
    Senior Member
     
    Sally J's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2011
    Location: San Jose, Ca
    Posts: 370
    Default

    I have a Viking 500 that I use the "hopping" foot with. It took some practice, yes sewing faster is better. I finally figured out that I use it like the beat of music and it actually helped me make the stitches more even. Try thinking that way. On my Viking D1 you don't use that foot, just darning foot with no movement. I actually have more trouble with that as I haven't practice so much but also miss the "music hopping beat" Just keep practicing. Feed dogs do need to be down.
    Sally J is offline  
    Old 12-01-2011, 05:23 PM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Central Iowa
    Posts: 2,348
    Default

    I have a quilt designer and I love it for fmq can you slow your machine speed down a notch that works for me. And believe me it does take practice and patience. If you choose a light thread like 60 and that blends into the fabric you will get better results than once you get the rhythm you can go to different threads .
    newbee3 is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    rootyr
    Main
    9
    05-29-2012 03:00 PM
    qbquilts
    Main
    4
    04-17-2012 08:01 AM
    bebe
    Links and Resources
    8
    06-13-2011 02:45 PM
    quilter53
    Main
    4
    04-30-2011 01:33 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter