Machine Quilting - YIKES!
#1
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Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
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I really don't know what I am doing.
I do not have any machine quilting thread.
I do not have a walking foot.
That said. I thought I would practice, because a friend is going to show Sue and me how to make quilt-as-you-go blocks. I drew some lines and started stitching. It did not go as well as I had planned. I have to PULL the sandwich through the machine. (I do have a little plastic thing to go over the feed dogs). I try to go slowly. Not doing well. I try to turn to stay on the lines I drew. Not doing well there either.
Any suggestions?
I do not have any machine quilting thread.
I do not have a walking foot.
That said. I thought I would practice, because a friend is going to show Sue and me how to make quilt-as-you-go blocks. I drew some lines and started stitching. It did not go as well as I had planned. I have to PULL the sandwich through the machine. (I do have a little plastic thing to go over the feed dogs). I try to go slowly. Not doing well. I try to turn to stay on the lines I drew. Not doing well there either.
Any suggestions?
#2
Do you have a "needle down" position on your sewing machine? If not, just make sure needle is in the fabric when making turns. If you're just doing straight or semi-straight lines, you need to have the feed dogs up and engaged. You don't have to treat it like it's FMQ where you need to have the feed dogs down (or covered). Does that help?? :D
#4
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Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
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My machine is an older one that the needle stops up a lot, so I will pay better attention to that.
I am sewing curves that look like the repeated feather pattern that so many people like. I wonder if I should try a curve that is a little less "severe"??
It's just that the block seems so tough to get through the machine. I wonder if that plastic is making the area smaller....
Wonder if I should just invest in a walking foot.
I am sewing curves that look like the repeated feather pattern that so many people like. I wonder if I should try a curve that is a little less "severe"??
It's just that the block seems so tough to get through the machine. I wonder if that plastic is making the area smaller....
Wonder if I should just invest in a walking foot.
#5
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Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
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Originally Posted by Up North
Are you using the darning foot it doesn't quite press the fabric down and you should be able to move it quite freely.
#7
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Location: Western Wisconsin
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You don't need machine quilting thread to quilt; regular thread works fine.
Are you trying to do free motion quilting? Since you covered the feed dogs, I assume that's what you are trying to do. If so, you *must* have a "jumping" foot. Most people use the darning foot. This foot lifts up between each stitch to allow you to move the quilt sandwich. It sounds as if you are using your regular sewing foot. You can use a regular sewing foot to quilt (similar to using a walking foot, with the feed dogs up), but *not* to free motion quilt!
Most likely one of the plastic feet is a darning foot. Look for one that has a spring action on it. Holding it in one hand, you should be able to move the foot up and down with the other hand. That is because it has a spring in it.
If you have been using a regular foot to try to free motion quilt, that explains why you are having such difficulty moving the quilt sandwich.
Are you trying to do free motion quilting? Since you covered the feed dogs, I assume that's what you are trying to do. If so, you *must* have a "jumping" foot. Most people use the darning foot. This foot lifts up between each stitch to allow you to move the quilt sandwich. It sounds as if you are using your regular sewing foot. You can use a regular sewing foot to quilt (similar to using a walking foot, with the feed dogs up), but *not* to free motion quilt!
Most likely one of the plastic feet is a darning foot. Look for one that has a spring action on it. Holding it in one hand, you should be able to move the foot up and down with the other hand. That is because it has a spring in it.
If you have been using a regular foot to try to free motion quilt, that explains why you are having such difficulty moving the quilt sandwich.
#8
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Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
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Originally Posted by Prism99
You don't need machine quilting thread to quilt; regular thread works fine.
Are you trying to do free motion quilting? Since you covered the feed dogs, I assume that's what you are trying to do. If so, you *must* have a "jumping" foot. Most people use the darning foot. This foot lifts up between each stitch to allow you to move the quilt sandwich. It sounds as if you are using your regular sewing foot. You can use a regular sewing foot to quilt (similar to using a walking foot, with the feed dogs up), but *not* to free motion quilt!
Are you trying to do free motion quilting? Since you covered the feed dogs, I assume that's what you are trying to do. If so, you *must* have a "jumping" foot. Most people use the darning foot. This foot lifts up between each stitch to allow you to move the quilt sandwich. It sounds as if you are using your regular sewing foot. You can use a regular sewing foot to quilt (similar to using a walking foot, with the feed dogs up), but *not* to free motion quilt!
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Originally Posted by Boston1954
I just checked the plastic feet, and they are all solid pieces. There are three and none have moving parts.
A walking foot works great for straight lines. To use a walking foot, though, you leave the feed dogs up or uncovered and let the machine feed the quilt. You can make gently curving lines with a walking foot by directing the quilt sandwich.
For tight curves, you need to use free motion (covered feed dogs and a darning foot).
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