Singer and free motion quilting
Ok, here goes.
I have a 39 year old singer 758. In the manual it mentions free motion stitching. It states and shows using NO presser foot, but it is more for embroidery, and uses a hoop.
When I tried (no hoop) to use it to free motion quilt, the thread either broke, or didn't catch in the bobbin thread for more that 3 stitches in a row.
Do you think if I just purchases a free motion presser foot, it would adapt?
Does anyone have experience with this machine?
I tried free motion once in my little course with another machine, so I have a very basic idea of how to more the square I am practicing on.
Again, any and all help would be appreciated.
Debbie
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
You still have to lower your presser foot lever, even with no foot on. That's the only reason I can think of for only getting a few stitches before having problems with your thread. I once saw a video of someone doing free motion quilting/embroidery on YouTube with no presser foot and what he could do was amazing - all kinds of pictures, lettering, etc. Made it all look so easy.
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Quote:
Originally Posted by
K. McEuen
You still have to lower your presser foot lever, even with no foot on. That's the only reason I can think of for only getting a few stitches before having problems with your thread. I once saw a video of someone doing free motion quilting/embroidery on YouTube with no presser foot and what he could do was amazing - all kinds of pictures, lettering, etc. Made it all look so easy.
Thanks for your reply. I have lowered my presser foot lever, but not luck. Maybe it is just me. I will try to see what I can find on you tube.
Debbie
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
lower the presser foot..put your stitch length to 0...turn the hand wheel to bring the needle down into the fabric,, pull up the bobbin thread... grab that thread.. and wind around you finger along with the top thread... you need some tension to begin...you will be stepping on the foot control pretty hard... there is no "slow" in free motion other than you hand movements... be sure to hold fabric and batting on each side and fairly "taut"... to begin.. heavy foot,,,tiny back and forth movement... this is like "backstitching"..cut the thread... then give it a try... remember... machine fast.... hands slower and controlled , moving the fabric in motion of choice... search Youtube for all you can find... it's a big help... it will click,,, the older "manual" machines make the best FMQ for beginners,, I think... good luck,, and have fun...oh... try a 14 or 16 needle not a fine one..and remember... Stich LENGTH to 0...
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Learn Free-motion Quilting on any sewing machine using a straight stitch using the Octi-Hoops - YouTube This one says free motion quilting, but the part I watched is more embroidery. I think the hoop is to keep your fingers away from the needle since there's nothing there at all to protect you.
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Quote:
Originally Posted by
K. McEuen
WOW, they make it look so easy, I will look into this further.
Thanks
Debbie
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GrammaBabs
lower the presser foot..put your stitch length to 0...turn the hand wheel to bring the needle down into the fabric,, pull up the bobbin thread... grab that thread.. and wind around you finger along with the top thread... you need some tension to begin...you will be stepping on the foot control pretty hard... there is no "slow" in free motion other than you hand movements... be sure to hold fabric and batting on each side and fairly "taut"... to begin.. heavy foot,,,tiny back and forth movement... this is like "backstitching"..cut the thread... then give it a try... remember... machine fast.... hands slower and controlled , moving the fabric in motion of choice... search Youtube for all you can find... it's a big help... it will click,,, the older "manual" machines make the best FMQ for beginners,, I think... good luck,, and have fun...oh... try a 14 or 16 needle not a fine one..and remember... Stich LENGTH to 0...
Thanks for your help. I will go and start practicing again.
Debbie
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Old freemotion embroidery used to use a spring needle. I have one and used it for cutwork.
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Quote:
Originally Posted by
debbie1952
Ok, here goes.
I have a 39 year old singer 758. In the manual it mentions free motion stitching. It states and shows using NO presser foot, but it is more for embroidery, and uses a hoop.
When I tried (no hoop) to use it to free motion quilt, the thread either broke, or didn't catch in the bobbin thread for more that 3 stitches in a row.
Do you think if I just purchases a free motion presser foot, it would adapt?
Does anyone have experience with this machine?
I tried free motion once in my little course with another machine, so I have a very basic idea of how to more the square I am practicing on.
Again, any and all help would be appreciated.
Debbie
I have a 28 year old Singer 2010 and love it and just sent it for maintenance, but NEVER knew I could FMQ my quilts back then! I now have a Singer 9960 and in having problems with the embroidery foot, I tried to just use no foot and FMQ....feed dogs down, pressure foot arm down...and no foot. It did work and I was surprised that I started doing cursive writting of names! Why I thought to do that is beyond me, but I did and I liked it and with practice, I think I can make it do great writing! Only problem I had was the fabric seemed to rise up when the needle did, so apparenty the pressure foot of the embroidery/darning foot is there to hold the fabric from coming up as little as possible. I do remmeber noticing (my eyes are goofing, sorry for the typos) I did notice the fabric does rise just a bit with the foot. But, hey, you could probley work with it and figure how to do it so the fabric only rises a bit. Or, check with Singer or any singer dealer and see if you can't find an embroidery or darning foot for your machine. I still have all my feet, never used them as I didn't bother to learn how, but will when it comes back. But...I have been looking for a differnet embroidery/darning foot for my 9960 as this one allows the needle to scrape on it and the dealer I bought it from says that is normal...and I can't believe that..but they won't do anything about it so I amlooking for another foot and see the many of the feet will work on dozens and dozens of SInger models.
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Quote:
Originally Posted by
coffeebreak
I have a 28 year old Singer 2010 and love it and just sent it for maintenance, but NEVER knew I could FMQ my quilts back then! I now have a Singer 9960 and in having problems with the embroidery foot, I tried to just use no foot and FMQ....feed dogs down, pressure foot arm down...and no foot. It did work and I was surprised that I started doing cursive writting of names! Why I thought to do that is beyond me, but I did and I liked it and with practice, I think I can make it do great writing! Only problem I had was the fabric seemed to rise up when the needle did, so apparenty the pressure foot of the embroidery/darning foot is there to hold the fabric from coming up as little as possible. I do remmeber noticing (my eyes are goofing, sorry for the typos) I did notice the fabric does rise just a bit with the foot. But, hey, you could probley work with it and figure how to do it so the fabric only rises a bit. Or, check with Singer or any singer dealer and see if you can't find an embroidery or darning foot for your machine. I still have all my feet, never used them as I didn't bother to learn how, but will when it comes back. But...I have been looking for a differnet embroidery/darning foot for my 9960 as this one allows the needle to scrape on it and the dealer I bought it from says that is normal...and I can't believe that..but they won't do anything about it so I amlooking for another foot and see the many of the feet will work on dozens and dozens of SInger models.
Thanks, but I guess I am still doing something wrong.
I have a dial on my machine for stitch length, it goes from 6 to 20-fine. I am also trying to figure out where to set the proper length.
I thought that I was suppose to set the length to 0 but I don't actually have a 0.
It seems I can go free motion straight, but everytime I try to start curving, it breaks the thread.
I may just have to "stitch in the ditch" on this one, until I can get to a class/store to find out what I am doing wrong.
Debbie
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GrammaBabs
lower the presser foot..put your stitch length to 0...turn the hand wheel to bring the needle down into the fabric,, pull up the bobbin thread... grab that thread.. and wind around you finger along with the top thread... you need some tension to begin...you will be stepping on the foot control pretty hard... there is no "slow" in free motion other than you hand movements... be sure to hold fabric and batting on each side and fairly "taut"... to begin.. heavy foot,,,tiny back and forth movement... this is like "backstitching"..cut the thread... then give it a try... remember... machine fast.... hands slower and controlled , moving the fabric in motion of choice... search Youtube for all you can find... it's a big help... it will click,,, the older "manual" machines make the best FMQ for beginners,, I think... good luck,, and have fun...oh... try a 14 or 16 needle not a fine one..and remember... Stich LENGTH to 0...
Me again.
I can't seem to figure how to set my stitch width to zero on this machine.
I have a dial stitch control that goes from 6 to fine/20, but no actual 0.
Every time I try to get to a curve in free motion, the thread breaks.
I may have to give up and "stitch in the ditch" for this quilt.
Thanks for the help though
Debbie
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
The stitch length is irrelevant - drop the feed dogs if possible, if not - no worries. Just begin moving the fabric (you are the stitch length) the only reason to shorten the length is if your feed dogs are up and then they won't move as much. And, remember to have fun! Slow hands and breathe :)
Re: Singer and free motion quilting
Just use a straight stitch = zig zag at zero. :) And lower the thread tension 1-2 numbers less than normal, if no numbers quarter turns until the thread doesn't break. It may also be that you're moving your hands too fast for the speed of the machine.
