I'm discouraged :(
05-22-2011, 06:50 PM
#111
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,402
Once you have checked tension, bobin, needle, and anything else you can try. The best advice I got for FMQ was, foot fast and hands slow. It seemed to go better, the other thing someone said was keep your eyes where you wanna go, not where the needle is.
05-22-2011, 07:02 PM
#112
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,459
Originally Posted by vivientan
I'm using the darning foot. Had tried to adjust the foot pressure too but it's not helping. I noticed however that when I changed the bobbin to move in the clockwise position, it helps to improve the situation. But I still see loops at the bottom and threads with irregular tension at the top (some are ok, some are a little loose). For straight line stitching using the walking foot, the anti-clockwise position does a better job.
05-22-2011, 07:05 PM
#113
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Portland, OR via Hawaii
Posts: 1,342
I understand exactly what you're dealing with...it's like trying to write by moving the paper under the pen.
Get a bunch of muslin squares and batting to fit.
Then practice straight lines at a medium speed...
Do it over and over and over........and don't give up!
In elementary school I used to get frustrated with all the drills for the Palmer Method of penmanship, but I would do it over again in a heart beat...since people still compliment my penmanship....but wait...compared to what they see today, well...I should practice more. :shock: :shock:
If you are waiting to do your FMQ on a project the frustration level shoots way up there.....
Do the practice squares..............and don't give up!
I'm lucky because I was able to get a long arm frame and now have a mid-arm that I can use for my quilting...and believe me....I need a lot of practice there also! :thumbup:
Get a bunch of muslin squares and batting to fit.
Then practice straight lines at a medium speed...
Do it over and over and over........and don't give up!
In elementary school I used to get frustrated with all the drills for the Palmer Method of penmanship, but I would do it over again in a heart beat...since people still compliment my penmanship....but wait...compared to what they see today, well...I should practice more. :shock: :shock:
If you are waiting to do your FMQ on a project the frustration level shoots way up there.....
Do the practice squares..............and don't give up!
I'm lucky because I was able to get a long arm frame and now have a mid-arm that I can use for my quilting...and believe me....I need a lot of practice there also! :thumbup:
05-22-2011, 07:18 PM
#114
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 414
Originally Posted by vivientan
Originally Posted by quilterella
Does your bobbin case have a red dot or a blue dot on it? I only found out recently that Janome has a FM bobbin case and it has a blue dot on it. I invested in it and WOW what a difference it made. Other than that, practise is the only advice I can give. Good Luck!
05-22-2011, 07:33 PM
#116
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 54
Another thing that really helps is to practice drawing your quilting pattern out on paper until you are really comfortable with it. If you can get comfortable drawing it on paper, it will translate to your quilt sandwich because your brain will not have to be thinking so hard on where to go next.
I don't do a lot of FMQ, but I am trying to practice more. I saw a freehand filler that a really liked. I actually practiced it in my head while I was trying to get to sleep the other night. I even woke up thinking about it. I just tried it on my machine, and it worked beautifully because my brain had already figured out how to do it.
I've heard the good long-armers say that they doodle all the time. My sister isn't a quilter, but she tried out a long arm machine at a quilt show and she was a natural. I asked her how in the world she did that. She said she used to doodle all the time in college.
LeAnne
I don't do a lot of FMQ, but I am trying to practice more. I saw a freehand filler that a really liked. I actually practiced it in my head while I was trying to get to sleep the other night. I even woke up thinking about it. I just tried it on my machine, and it worked beautifully because my brain had already figured out how to do it.
I've heard the good long-armers say that they doodle all the time. My sister isn't a quilter, but she tried out a long arm machine at a quilt show and she was a natural. I asked her how in the world she did that. She said she used to doodle all the time in college.
LeAnne
05-22-2011, 08:04 PM
#119
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Missouri - near Kansas City
Posts: 131
You mention that your thread gets all bunched up when FMQ. Do you pull your bobbin thread up to the top before you start FMQ? Someone mentioned the 4 videos on youtube. I think those are very helpful. One of them shows pulling the bobbin thread up. Keep practicing! I recently took a FMQ class and the instructor had us practice on preprinted pillow panels and large print fabrics.
05-23-2011, 12:30 AM
#120
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Singapore
Posts: 331
Originally Posted by diane9617
You mention that your thread gets all bunched up when FMQ. Do you pull your bobbin thread up to the top before you start FMQ? Someone mentioned the 4 videos on youtube. I think those are very helpful. One of them shows pulling the bobbin thread up. Keep practicing! I recently took a FMQ class and the instructor had us practice on preprinted pillow panels and large print fabrics.
Has anybody tried the blue tip needles with FMQ and does it help?
I'm using wt 30 thread as I find it thicker, hence may be more sturdy for MQ. I note that some people have suggested that I try wt 50. Is it strong enough for MQ to feed through the quilt sandwich and withstand multiple washes?
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