FMQ Practice
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,453
Originally Posted by sewjean
I bought a feed dog cover and have been trying to FMQ but it just is so hard to get the fabric to move! I have to pull it. What is the secret to moving the fabric easier. Any suggestions? Here is a pic of the foot I am useing. I know someone can help, please!
i am thinking maybe your foot tension is to tight..if your having that much trouble moving the fabric. take your time.
you really didn't need a feed dog cover..my girlfriend uses her old drivers liscense..or a business card. her feed dogs don't go down either..older machine.
for practicing use the cheapest fabric,I use muslin, top and bottom with batting in between..and a color of thread that is totally different than the color of the fabric/muslin, so you can see what your doing easier.
#13
I think you are doing great. I also think that some machines just don't adapt well to free mothion. I have a new commercial grade singer and it doesn't do as well as my little cheap brother. I have found that by putting my stitch length on 0 it works better but sometimes still skips on the back.
#14
It took me a while to get the hang of it. Each time I FMQ a new project it takes me a little while to get back in the grove. Just keep practicing. I was always afraid to FMQ and finally I tried it and now I like it. I tried a new design last night and I realized I am acutally getting better at it.
#15
I use a darning (or quilting) foot that has a spring and the little bar goes over the needle screw to keep the foot up a small amount. If you can't find one at your local shop you can get them on e-bay. Just type in quilting foot.
#16
I agree...gloves are a must..I got a pair of gardening gloves, that have the little plastic grippy dots on them..you can get them at the dollar store..and it makes it soo much easier to move the fabric around...a quilting foot is also the easiest way to do free motion, and probably the safest...I've tried with other feet, and no foot at all..Also there are also some great tools out there to use to draw on the quilt to follow a pattern..I use a marker that turns invisible when it dries.
#17
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
Posts: 7,014
I have not tried gloves of any kind yet. That's next on the practice list.
I have the springy foot. It is much better than no foot, but does seem a bit tight at some intesections. I need to play around to see if there is an adjustment.
I use the darning plate cover that come with my machine. It is a bit raised so the foot fits tighter. It never occured to me to not cover the dogs. I thought dropping or covering was required for FMQ.
I have the springy foot. It is much better than no foot, but does seem a bit tight at some intesections. I need to play around to see if there is an adjustment.
I use the darning plate cover that come with my machine. It is a bit raised so the foot fits tighter. It never occured to me to not cover the dogs. I thought dropping or covering was required for FMQ.
#18
Originally Posted by Lisa_wanna_b_quilter
I have not tried gloves of any kind yet. That's next on the practice list.
I have the springy foot. It is much better than no foot, but does seem a bit tight at some intesections. I need to play around to see if there is an adjustment.
I use the darning plate cover that come with my machine. It is a bit raised so the foot fits tighter. It never occured to me to not cover the dogs. I thought dropping or covering was required for FMQ.
I have the springy foot. It is much better than no foot, but does seem a bit tight at some intesections. I need to play around to see if there is an adjustment.
I use the darning plate cover that come with my machine. It is a bit raised so the foot fits tighter. It never occured to me to not cover the dogs. I thought dropping or covering was required for FMQ.
Your first attempt looks great to me. As soon as I finish sewing on the binding, I wash and dry the quilt and that helps it look better also. Just keep doing it and you will be more pleased with your work.
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