Free Motion Quilting ---
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 637
I just started FMQ.
I have a Kenmore Trispan 88.
It's like it was made for FMQ.
I can go back and forth between piecing and quilting without changing anything but the feed dogs and stitch length.
I've only been doing it for a couple of days and it's really starting to grow on me.
I have a Kenmore Trispan 88.
It's like it was made for FMQ.
I can go back and forth between piecing and quilting without changing anything but the feed dogs and stitch length.
I've only been doing it for a couple of days and it's really starting to grow on me.
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I've read this so many times that leaving the feed dogs up makes it easier for some people. Can you explain what you think makes the difference? Do the feed dogs put a drag on the fabric? (I assume you've set the stitch length to 0) Are the feed dogs moving up and down, but not forward? I just don't understand the mechanics of this. Thanks in advance for any replies.
My recommendation is for people to try it both ways to see what works best. There is no right or wrong in this! Just DO remember to set your stitch length to 0 if you have the feed dogs up. If you forget to set the stitch length to zero when the feed dogs are dropped, it won't make a whole lot of difference. However, if you forget to set the stitch length to zero when the feed dogs are up, it will quickly make FMQing very bizarre!
Edit: Understand that it is the forward movement of the feed dogs that you are setting with stitch length. The feed dogs move the fabric forward the amount you specify, then drop down to move back before coming up to again grab the fabric to move it forward. When stitch length is set to zero, the feed dogs do not move forward at all; they simply move up and down in place.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
Leah Day ( fmq quilter extrordinaire) quilts with hers up, sighting that it makes a difference in the tension. l personally leave them down, as l'm afraid they'll damage the backing. l use the hopping foot, and find l get a rythmn going with each hop as l move the fabric.Glad you found what works for you.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 335
Leah Day's fabric does not touch the feed dogs since she uses a Supreme slider with only a tiny hole for the needle to touch the fabric. I have tried both ways and don't find much difference...I always set my stitch length to zero. My FMQ is still not great so I have really started using creative straight line quilting and really like it. My walking foot is my friend. Jackie Gerhing is great with this type of quilting and actually some of Angela Walters type quilting can be done with walking foot instead of hopping foot. Painters blue tape is also my friend...I don't like to mark much so have become very creative with the tape. I mostly do QAYG blocks of about 15" square and join them in rows after I have quilted. This makes using a walking foot practical. I have a Bernina Active 230 and the walking foot that comes with it is very easy to use.
#17
Several years ago when I first began free motion quilting I discovered I had better luck with the feed dogs up but when anyone asked about it or I mentioned it they looked at me like I was crazy or maybe just didn't know any better. So I keep the feed dogs up and keep my mouth shut!
#20
I thought I was totally bonkers leaving the feed dogs up, but it works! I was a total disaster when I first started FMQ, then I bought a foot that is made for my machine and practice, practice practice and now I love it. Good for you and I agree, the things I've learned from our members are worth more than any book I've ever bought.
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