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Thread: FMQ problem

  1. #1
    Janet J's Avatar Janet J is offline Senior Member
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    Default FMQ problem

    I have a Singer Quantum XL100 and have tried to do some FMQ on it but keep breaking needles. I talked to someone at the local quilt store and they said I was moving fabric to fast and to slow down my needle speed. Have made practice blocks and tried what they suggested but am still breaking needles. I would really like to conquer this to be able to do at least some stippling. Any one have any other suggestion. Thanks Janet

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    Jean Sewing Machine's Avatar Jean Sewing Machine is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    I know that when I slow down, my stitches get farther apart, so it is better to use a higher speed to avoid that. I have had tension problems, but not needle ot thread breakage issues. Something is flexing to break the needle, but I have no idea what could be the causing that. We have a lot of technically minded and really experienced FMQuilters on this forum. All I can say to you is I hope you find out how to solve your problem, hopefully one of them can help.

    Hang in there! I know how frustrating it is when you want to complete a project and the mechanical part of the equation isn't working as it should be.

    This is just a wild guess. My foot has an adjustment screw that lets it go closer or farther away from the fabric. Could the fabric be held too loosly and is flopping around? I don't know if all FMQ/darning feet have that kind of adjustment. Just a suggestion.
    Last edited by Jean Sewing Machine; May 29th, 2012 at 07:16 PM.

  3. #3
    bakermom is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    your fabric movement is faster than the needle causing the needle to strike the plate because it is still in the fabric as you are moving it. I have had the same problem.
    a while back i had the chance to watch someone closely while she FMQ. I noticed she moved the fabric slow while the needle went fast. I was trying to do both fast with iffy results. Once i slowed my movement down and kept my shoulders relaxed I did much better. I also lowered my sewing table just a bit so I didn't scrunch up my shoulders. worked much better.
    also make sure the thread isn't hanging up on the spool anywhere. I have taken a knife or file to smooth any burrs i find on my spool

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    SummerK's Avatar SummerK is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    Yeah, my first thought was that you were moving your fabric too fast, but then I remembered the last time I took my machine in for a professional cleaning and I got into a conversation with the owner. He said that using a needle too small would cause it to break. If you have any, you might just try the next size up and see how it does for you.

    Also, if moving the fabric too fast is the problem, remember that you can slow down the needle and slow down how fast you move it. It just takes practice at gaining control. I do a lot of FMQing on my Singer and I don't go very fast because when I do, it gets away from me and doesn't come out as smooth as I'd like it.
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    EnumclawGramma's Avatar EnumclawGramma is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    I said in a different post today that I think I find myself going faster than I should and when my movement of my fabric gets in rhythm with the speed of my machine I do much better. It really does take practice, lots of practice. Once you find your "sweet spot" you know it, and it becomes easier and just flows along....
    I hope you figure this out, because for me..this is one of the most fun parts of the quilt making process!
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  6. #6
    Auntpiggylpn's Avatar Auntpiggylpn is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    Quote Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine View Post
    I know that when I slow down, my stitches get farther apart, so it is better to use a higher speed to avoid that. I have had tension problems, but not needle ot thread breakage issues. Something is flexing to break the needle, but I have no idea what could be the causing that. We have a lot of technically minded and really experienced FMQuilters on this forum. All I can say to you is I hope you find out how to solve your problem, hopefully one of them can help.

    Hang in there! I know how frustrating it is when you want to complete a project and the mechanical part of the equation isn't working as it should be.

    This is just a wild guess. My foot has an adjustment screw that lets it go closer or farther away from the fabric. Could the fabric be held too loosly and is flopping around? I don't know if all FMQ/darning feet have that kind of adjustment. Just a suggestion.
    Jean- why would you have tension problems when FMQ? When I took my FMQ class, I was told that there isn't ANY tension once the feed dogs are dropped. Just curious. . . .

    And I agree, you are moving your fabric to fast. I slow my machine down and move my fabric slowly until I am in my groove and then I can speed up the machine. If you are getting too big of stitches when your machine is going slow, you are moving your fabric too fast.

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    auntiemern's Avatar auntiemern is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    Everything I have read and understand about FMQ, which by the way I am still learning, says that when you have issues on the back of your sandwich it is caused by tension being to tight or loose.
    Quote Originally Posted by Auntpiggylpn View Post
    Jean- why would you have tension problems when FMQ? When I took my FMQ class, I was told that there isn't ANY tension once the feed dogs are dropped. Just curious. . . .

    And I agree, you are moving your fabric to fast. I slow my machine down and move my fabric slowly until I am in my groove and then I can speed up the machine. If you are getting too big of stitches when your machine is going slow, you are moving your fabric too fast.
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    Auntpiggylpn's Avatar Auntpiggylpn is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    Quote Originally Posted by auntiemern View Post
    Everything I have read and understand about FMQ, which by the way I am still learning, says that when you have issues on the back of your sandwich it is caused by tension being to tight or loose.
    I found this site - might shine a little light on the tension issue http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...-or-speed.html

  9. #9
    Jean Sewing Machine's Avatar Jean Sewing Machine is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    Quote Originally Posted by Auntpiggylpn View Post
    Jean- why would you have tension problems when FMQ? When I took my FMQ class, I was told that there isn't ANY tension once the feed dogs are dropped. Just curious. . . .

    And I agree, you are moving your fabric to fast. I slow my machine down and move my fabric slowly until I am in my groove and then I can speed up the machine. If you are getting too big of stitches when your machine is going slow, you are moving your fabric too fast.
    I don't know why tension was an issue. The first time I tried to FMQ on a regular size quilt it was a disaster, I had loopies all over rhe place, and the machine wouldn't form stitches. It was wierd, because on my practice piece, using the same set up and fabric and batting style, it worked fine. In the YouTube tutorial, Hillary suggested that if you have an auto tension setting on your machine, you should take it off, adjust it manually, and when I did that, I had no problems.

    Tension would still be an issue, wouldn't it? You engage tension control when you lower the presser foot, and my machine won't sew with the presser foot up. Eyelashes on bottom or top are caused by tension imbalance. That's what I understand. I'm just learning the ins and outs of FMQing.

    I am trying to get my "groove" going when I do my FMQing. I find for me, letting the machine run faster rather than slower fits my groove. I guess it is all a matter of personal preference and style. We're all learning every time we work on a new project. Love all the great ideas and advice from experienced quilters on this site.

  10. #10
    Janet J's Avatar Janet J is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: FMQ problem

    Thank for all the suggestions and words of encouragement. My stitches were long when I slowed down my needle speed and I think I might have started moving the material faster also thus catching the needle. Will keep practicing. The web site suggested by Auntpiggyipn was very helpful. Bookmarked it so I can go back and watch more videos. Thanks again for all your help. Hopefully I will succeed but it seems like this may be like patting my head and rubbing my stomach at the same time and I've never been able to do that

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