Mickey2

JediMom's post reminded me of a subject I have been thinking about now and then. The favorite for free motion quilting and embroidery tends to be a model 15 and for a long time I thought central bobbin (vertically set) was the best way to go. However, I have heard expert quilters say you can do it on any old machine, it doesn't have to be anything special. All the old manuals show pictures of the neatest work done on both the old 128 and 99, as well as most of the old brands too.

Here's a guy who have bothered to sit down and find a way about it; fmq on a VS2, fmq on a 66, W&W No. 9. There's a lady doing impressive work on an old 66 in this video. Most of the work is probably to get to know our machine and how to make it work, even the long bobbin models can do this. I need a new darning foot

Stitchnripper

Very enjoyable. Thanks for posting.

tscweaves

I have been fmq and doing ruler work on both my 15-88 and my 201-2 and have had good success. I finally figured out on the 201-2 I needed to loosen the bobbin tension a bit. There were a couple of direction that sometimes gave me grief. I keep going back to the treadle, but I am still finding it a lot to handle all at once: treadling, rulers, and moving the quilt around. The electric just gives me one less thing keep track of, as long as I remember to lift my foot when I run into trouble! LOL

I did try fmq on my VS2 but it was quite frustrating. I think that was a combination of never treadling or quilting before. Nothing like jumping into the deep end

themadpatter

I wonder if its the weaver in us, but I am just like you in that. Lol, no lack of confidence here, at least at the beginning of the project. I've done it so many times, too. Macrame? Sure. Only I want to make a hanging pot with a bisqueware light holder on top, 2 pots, one under the other, and a table. What could be so hard about that, right? Lol, Plenty, you little heathen!

rryder

Former weaver and spinner here, too. Agree completely about just jumping in—I think it comes from years of drafting your own weaving patterns and spinning your own yarn LOL!

I really enjoyed the videos, thanks for posting the links.

Rob

Mickey2

Thanks for your feed back, I'm glad someone has been thinking simiarly. I have to admit I jump into things, and make an effort to get working. It's when I read manuals, see photos and demostrations in old books I have become more openminded with the old machines.

For the 201 I know of people who have dedicated it their free motion embroidery, no hoops just the right jumping foot. In another case I now of a lady who have dedicated a 201 to free motion quilting and nothing else for the last few years. I struggle a bit with tension on mine, but at times I have had perfect stitching with bargain priced mercerized cotton. It does feel like ground braking work some times, but then I discover others have done the same and made it work. I collect clever tricks and keep them in a box :- )

AStitchInTime

Would you mind sharing, which ruler foot you use with your 201? I purchased the Westalee low shank foot for my 201, and even after loosening the presser foot pressure, there isn't sufficient space between the foot and foot plate to maneuver the quilt.

tscweaves

I am using the Westalee low shank ruler foot on both the 201 & the 15-88. What works for me, I get everything set up, bottom thread pulled up, drop the foot lever and loosen the screw holding the foot. It seems to find its own equilibrium and then I tighten the foot screw. I did get a foot screw with a slot to tighten with a scrwdriver. When I used the screw that came with the machine, the foot kept coming loose. I keep the slotted screw with the ruler foot so I know where it is. Sew Classic has the screws.

Mickey2

Does the Westalee foot allow for hight adjustment like the #121094 foot? That's the free motion foot that came in accessory boxes for the 201. I think it was standard among the accessories for this modle, but it's the one foot most comonly missing for some reason. I have three or four rufflers, heaps of zipper foots but only one darning foot for my old Singers.

tscweaves

The ruler foot has a slot, so the only way to adjust it is to raise or lower it on the screw. I do not have a darning foot for any of my vintage Singers {sad face}. I have looked around on the secondary market a few times and they are expensive, I've seen them anywhere from $50 - $150! That is a bit pricey for me.