I'm discouraged :(
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,502
Are you using a darning or FM foot(spring in it)? Are your feed dogs dropped down or covered? I do not have the same machine but you may also need to adjust your bobbin tension screw if your machine has one.
I hope you can figure out a way to proceed but if not, there is nothing wrong with using your walking foot and straight stitching.
I hope you can figure out a way to proceed but if not, there is nothing wrong with using your walking foot and straight stitching.
#22
Originally Posted by LivelyLady
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!
#23
Originally Posted by suern3
Please, please, go to daystyle.com and then her blog.(Leah Day) She has the best, most minute instructions for free motioning quilting on any machine. Sometimes the smallest things can make such a difference. I am no expert, but have been able to FMQ several quilts using her method. My largest so far was 80x80. Am just getting readyto start quilting another one. Don't give up. I use an older Pfaff, maybe 5 years old. I don't do anything with the tension. Just drop the feed dogs, don't even have to change the stitch size because I am moving the fabric.
#24
Originally Posted by GreatStarter
I hope you can find someone else who quilts and perhaps they can visit and help you figure out why you are having so many problems. Don't give up, maybe take a break from trying it for a while. Hugs,
Kat
Kat
#25
Originally Posted by vivientan
Originally Posted by GreatStarter
I hope you can find someone else who quilts and perhaps they can visit and help you figure out why you are having so many problems. Don't give up, maybe take a break from trying it for a while. Hugs,
Kat
Kat
#26
Originally Posted by Tartan
Are you using a darning or FM foot(spring in it)? Are your feed dogs dropped down or covered? I do not have the same machine but you may also need to adjust your bobbin tension screw if your machine has one.
I hope you can figure out a way to proceed but if not, there is nothing wrong with using your walking foot and straight stitching.
I hope you can figure out a way to proceed but if not, there is nothing wrong with using your walking foot and straight stitching.
I've asked the service centre about adjusting the bobbin tension but they've advised me against it, as I would need to readjust it back when I change to regular sewing.
#27
Originally Posted by Kas
Do go seek advice at the LQS. And invest in the straight stitch plate with the single hole. You will be amazed at the improvement. I promise!
#28
Originally Posted by greenini
Don't know if it applies to your machine, but some can reduce the pressure in the foot and that can also help. Check to see if yours is adjustable.
#29
Originally Posted by Kat Sews
You mentioned that the quilt is hard to move and gets stuck sometimes. What foot are you using and can you release the pressure on your foot? I helped someone recently and found she didn't have the right foot on her machine and was having the same type problem.
#30
Originally Posted by eastermarie
Is your dealer close by? If so, take your machine in and have them help set the correct tension. If not, rethread the machine carefully, use the same thread in the top as the bobbin. Make sure you have threaded the bobbin correctly. Next, use your manual and set the machine for regular stitching. If you can get it back to regular stitching mode with the correct tension it will make things easier. In your manual, look up Free Motion Quilting. Read what it says to do. It might be that you need the blue bobbin that Janome makes for FMQ. There is also a Yahoo Jonome Board, you might find help there. There have been other posts on this board for your very same problem. Do a search for it. Hope this will help some. I'll try and find more info for you.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post