free motion quilting
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: LaSalle Ontario
Posts: 95
free motion quilting
I am very new to this and am trying to teach myself how to do it. No matter what I do I can't move my fabric smoothly under the presser foot. I is very tight even with the feed dogs done. The presser foot is at zero (darn) but is pushing down to hard on the fabric.......????????????????????
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,539
You need a FMQ foot or darning foot with the little spring in it. Some machines cone with a darning or FMQ foot but others need to purchase one. What brand of machine are you working on? If you go to Leah day's site, she has videos of her quilting designs with a FNQ foot and you can get some tips. I think it is www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
I agree. There is no FMQ without a darning foot. Also need to make sure to set your Stitch Length to 0. After that, it should be easy to move fabric, but getting even stitches is a whole 'nother problem. I'd suggest buying a yard or two of practice fabric and some batting for that so you can practice FMQ without worrying about ruining your quilt top. FMQ does not come instantly. It takes about 8 hours of practice to get the movements down.
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
There are so many "tricks of the trade" to learn in order to do FMQ successfully you really need to be able to watch u-tube videos, take an online class or find out a class schedule at your LQS. What type of foot did you have on your DSM?? A darning foot has a metal round circle as the foot. Check your manual to see if one was included with your DSM.
#5
some time ago i took a fmq class and the instructor had us all leave our feed dogs up. worked fine. usually i elect to lower mine anyway. A fmq foot with a spring on it is extremely helpful. also make sure your machine bed is not sticky at all. I somehow got spray basting on the backing a bit and that caused me problems. Good luck
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: LaSalle Ontario
Posts: 95
Thank you everyone but it appears I have a bigger problem. I own to different Kenmore machines and they tell me that there is no quilting foot to go with either of them. They have a darning foot, which came with the machine, but it is not even close to what I need.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 786
Here's a link to help identify the shank size http://shop.sew-classic.com/What-sha...hank-Style.htm . She may have something that will work with your machines. If these are older machines come on over to the vintage and antiques section for some help.
#8
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Thank you everyone but it appears I have a bigger problem. I own to different Kenmore machines and they tell me that there is no quilting foot to go with either of them. They have a darning foot, which came with the machine, but it is not even close to what I need.
Cari
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Thank you everyone but it appears I have a bigger problem. I own to different Kenmore machines and they tell me that there is no quilting foot to go with either of them. They have a darning foot, which came with the machine, but it is not even close to what I need.
If you post the Kenmore models you have, someone can probably link you to a foot that will work.
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