I'm discouraged :(
05-23-2011, 11:11 AM
#131
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 85
Yes, if you swoop too fast you'll get eyelashes or loops on the back. I never used poly batting so can't help you there. But keep practicing. I took a class from Patsy Thompson on feathers and I have to admit my feathers are looking pretty darn good!! And I bet I've used about 40 little practice sandwiches - get muslin on sale at Joann's and use leftover batting pieces. Practice does make perfect :) Marlene
05-23-2011, 08:22 PM
#132
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Port Lavaca, TX
Posts: 1,276
Originally Posted by vivientan
I've been trying out FMQ for the past year but I don't seem to be improving. First thing first, I never get the thread tension right. I either get loops at the front or the back. I'm using a Janome 6260 and I've tried every single tension from 0 - 9 but nothing works. Even tried varying the machine speed, foot pedal tension etc but still at a dead end.
I find it rather hard to move my quilt sandwich under the machine. Sometimes it gets stucked, causing a huge ball of thread forming underneath! What has gone wrong?
The worst is, I can never get even stitches. They are either too short or too long. Can't seem to be able to move my quilt at an even speed. Even tried drawing out my design from a quilt stencil but somehow, I just can't follow the design! Jagged curves, uneven lines etc.
I don't think I can ever succeed with FMQ, despite trying on lots and lots of practice sandwiches. Maybe I should really just call it a day and stick to my walking foot. :(
Sorry for all these ranting...I need to let off steam!
I find it rather hard to move my quilt sandwich under the machine. Sometimes it gets stucked, causing a huge ball of thread forming underneath! What has gone wrong?
The worst is, I can never get even stitches. They are either too short or too long. Can't seem to be able to move my quilt at an even speed. Even tried drawing out my design from a quilt stencil but somehow, I just can't follow the design! Jagged curves, uneven lines etc.
I don't think I can ever succeed with FMQ, despite trying on lots and lots of practice sandwiches. Maybe I should really just call it a day and stick to my walking foot. :(
Sorry for all these ranting...I need to let off steam!
05-23-2011, 11:21 PM
#133
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Singapore
Posts: 331
Originally Posted by muskratwine
Yes, if you swoop too fast you'll get eyelashes or loops on the back. I never used poly batting so can't help you there. But keep practicing. I took a class from Patsy Thompson on feathers and I have to admit my feathers are looking pretty darn good!! And I bet I've used about 40 little practice sandwiches - get muslin on sale at Joann's and use leftover batting pieces. Practice does make perfect :) Marlene
05-24-2011, 01:36 AM
#134
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Somerset, England
Posts: 285
Practice on scraps. It may seem a waste but it's very important. When you are ready to stitch on a quilt, you need to make up a small sandwich and check your tension on that before proceeding to the quilt. This will save a lot of heartache - and unpicking! (I mean a sandwich of the same fabrics and batting as the quilt.)
05-24-2011, 06:45 AM
#135
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 85
I got the 36" wide muslin at Joann's and used cotton batting scraps. Unless you practice on the same sandwich as your quilt, ypu'll still probably have to adjust tension but no big deal. You should be able to do all your tension adjustment with the top knob and won't have to mess with the bobbin tension which can bring on another set of problems. Just make sure the bobbin tension isn't too tight or too loose. I was told to tape 4 quarters and 2 dimes to the thread coming out of the bobbin and they should slowly drop down as you hold the bobbin case.If you don' have a bobbin case, I have no idea how to adjust it. But don't give up - it's so much fun and satisfying to be able to say "I did it all!" Good luck. Marlene
05-24-2011, 06:55 AM
#136
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Singapore
Posts: 331
I just purchased the kit from Leah Day's website which consisted of the Supreme Slider, Bobbin Washes and Machingers Quilting Gloves. Also ordered the blue bobbin case from my dealer. Hopefully all these will help. If all these fail, perhaps it's time for me to change a new machine!
05-24-2011, 07:25 AM
#137
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Evergreen State
Posts: 1,558
Don't give up. I feel your pain. Change needles frequently, try a wall size to learn on, practice a lot b4 you start on your quilt. My machine's on a huge table that helps carry weight of quilt, I have a small table butted up to my left for quilt weight. Watch how you guide quilt through machine, if you push-pull against machine speed it can do what you describe. If you can sign up for a FMQ class I recommend it. Teaching videos might help with visuals. Keep practising to get a rhythm.
05-24-2011, 07:42 AM
#139
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Singapore
Posts: 331
Originally Posted by DebbieJJ
Are you remembering to drop the feed dogs?
Can I check what is a good stitch length for FMQ? I'm having irregular short and long stitches during this learning process and not sure which will look good on my quilt.
05-24-2011, 07:49 AM
#140
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: north Alabama
Posts: 1,891
[quote=vivientan
Can I check what is a good stitch length for FMQ? I'm having irregular short and long stitches during this learning process and not sure which will look good on my quilt.[/quote]
I don't know about that, I'm still a beginner, myself. But somebody with more experience will know. What I love about this board, is everyone's willingness to share their knowledge. And I learn something every day!
Can I check what is a good stitch length for FMQ? I'm having irregular short and long stitches during this learning process and not sure which will look good on my quilt.[/quote]
I don't know about that, I'm still a beginner, myself. But somebody with more experience will know. What I love about this board, is everyone's willingness to share their knowledge. And I learn something every day!
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