When machine quilting, what size stitch should I use?
#61
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Originally Posted by ckcowl
as with most things 'quilty' it really is a personal choice on the look you want. some people like itty-bitty stitches and quilt with something like 20 stitches to the inch, some think 12 stitches is great and then there are those who like the 'big-stitch' look and quilt at about 4-5 stitches to the inch. make yourself a little 'stitch-sampler' make a 12" block, sandwich it and stitch a line down it at the different settings, marking at the beginning of each line the setting #'s so then you have a reference and you can look at it, decide you want (this -stitch for this project) and you can set your machine consistantly for the look you like best.
#62
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 216
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I hear you all speak of raising or dropping the feed dogs. Now I think I know what the feed dogs are but how do you drop or raise them? I have been looking on my machine and mine doesn't do anything except move when I turn the wheel. I told wall I didn't understand nothing. I can sew pretty good if it is not too complecated but I don't know a lot about all the things you all talk about. I guess I am just a sew forward leave needle in and turn material if need be person. I am so glad too have yall teaching each of us different things/
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 794
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Originally Posted by Poodles
I hear you all speak of raising or dropping the feed dogs. Now I think I know what the feed dogs are but how do you drop or raise them? I have been looking on my machine and mine doesn't do anything except move when I turn the wheel. I told wall I didn't understand nothing. I can sew pretty good if it is not too complecated but I don't know a lot about all the things you all talk about. I guess I am just a sew forward leave needle in and turn material if need be person. I am so glad too have yall teaching each of us different things/
Sometimes they even put the page number in the manual where a particular part is further discussed.
Absenting that, there are places online where you can get a manual for your machine in most cases, but give a try here first by letting us know what kind (and model?) machine you have.
In the meantime, check around the back of your machine and if you see a lever type knob that goes back and forth, move it. Then (because you usually won't see anything happen simply by moving the lever), turn the wheel slightly - you should see the feed dogs drop ever so slightly below the plane of the foot. Reverse the action to re-engage them.
Let us know how you do.
#64
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 216
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Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I have no manual. I called the Singer place and she said Good Lord that book is 34.95 and I wouldn't pay that for the manual. She told me if I would bring it over too the shop she would show me some things and how too operate it. Unfortunately since I am physically challenged and the machine is heavy, I can't carry that over there. I can figure most of the workings of the machine but trial and error so I will check out what you told me. Thanks again for your time
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 794
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Originally Posted by Poodles
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I have no manual. I called the Singer place and she said Good Lord that book is 34.95 and I wouldn't pay that for the manual. She told me if I would bring it over too the shop she would show me some things and how too operate it. Unfortunately since I am physically challenged and the machine is heavy, I can't carry that over there. I can figure most of the workings of the machine but trial and error so I will check out what you told me. Thanks again for your time
#66
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Guntersville, AL Live in Canton
Posts: 29
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Don't feel bad. I quit working for mental health years ago and the first thing I did was teach myself how to quilt. I had one pattern and I went to a fabric store and bought 10 yards of three kinds of fabric, thinking surely that would be enough. I believe that was 30 something years ago, maybe closer to 40 now. Today I am a pretty good quilter because I am pretty much a perfectionest (I wouldn't recommend being one). My feed dog control is beside my bobbin case. I have an old pfaff machine and a new something or the other machine. I forget. Everytime I take the Pfaff off my table she cries. ha ha. Enjoy quilting, every part of it. It is your quilt, do it your way. One of these day you will look at the one in your hand that you are working on and say "Goodness Gracious, I do believe this quilt doesn't have any boo boos"! You want believe it at first! ENJOY!
#67
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Originally Posted by Poodles
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I have no manual. I called the Singer place and she said Good Lord that book is 34.95 and I wouldn't pay that for the manual. She told me if I would bring it over too the shop she would show me some things and how too operate it. Unfortunately since I am physically challenged and the machine is heavy, I can't carry that over there. I can figure most of the workings of the machine but trial and error so I will check out what you told me. Thanks again for your time
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 794
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Originally Posted by Annya
Originally Posted by Poodles
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I have no manual. I called the Singer place and she said Good Lord that book is 34.95 and I wouldn't pay that for the manual. She told me if I would bring it over too the shop she would show me some things and how too operate it. Unfortunately since I am physically challenged and the machine is heavy, I can't carry that over there. I can figure most of the workings of the machine but trial and error so I will check out what you told me. Thanks again for your time
#70
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,148
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Originally Posted by Poodles
Its a Singer Fashion Mate model 239. Hope you can help. I don't know how old this machine is but looks good. Also have two other singers and one New Home without manuals.
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