Hello from PA

[mhall3]

Hello! Let me say this is such a wonderful site! I've been quilting, hand only until now, for about 16 years. I have a Brother xl 3500i on which I am supposed to be able to machine quilt. I say am supposed to because I have yet to figure out what I'm doing wrong! I watched the tutorial 3 times and did everything I thought I was supposed to but I keep having issues with the tension. I've adjusted it from the very lowest to highest setting and if I sew a straight line, it's fine, but if I attempt to do any stippling, it goes all wonky on me. I am not able to drop my feed dogs but I do have a darning plate, which as you probably know covers the feed dogs. If you could give me any advice at all, I would greatly appreciate it. If I get it worked out, I will very gladly and proudly post a picture of the final product, 2 lap quilts!

Thanks so much in advance,
Missy

[Bubby]

Re: Hello from PA

Welcome to the forum, Missy! Glad to have you join us. Barb

[rarerosered]

Re: Hello from PA

Welcome, from Michigan

[dwil23]

Re: Hello from PA

Welcome from Florida! Sorry I can't offer any help with your machine, but I am sure someone here will.

[happy2travel]

Re: Hello from PA

Hello! Let me say this is such a wonderful site! I've been quilting, hand only until now, for about 16 years. I have a Brother xl 3500i on which I am supposed to be able to machine quilt. I say am supposed to because I have yet to figure out what I'm doing wrong! I watched the tutorial 3 times and did everything I thought I was supposed to but I keep having issues with the tension. I've adjusted it from the very lowest to highest setting and if I sew a straight line, it's fine, but if I attempt to do any stippling, it goes all wonky on me. I am not able to drop my feed dogs but I do have a darning plate, which as you probably know covers the feed dogs. If you could give me any advice at all, I would greatly appreciate it. If I get it worked out, I will very gladly and proudly post a picture of the final product, 2 lap quilts!

Thanks so much in advance,
Missy

Is it possible to get free lessons where you bought the Brother machine you are using? I have a new Husqvarna and took free lessons at the store where I bought it.

[madampolo]

Re: Hello from PA

Welcome to the forum from Texas! I don't free motion quilt, so I can't help. I quilt using a Grace frame and a Juki machine.

[bjsmith57]

Re: Hello from PA

Welcome from Arizona

[Michelle M]

Re: Hello from PA

I can't wait to see your lap quilts!

[CraftyBarb]

Re: Hello from PA

Welcome from NJ.

[tdimitrov77]

Re: Hello from PA

Hi Missy... welcome to the forum...i am your neighbor up north in NY. As far as you FMQ goes....I don't know what to tell you about your tension....but I always keep my feed dogs up when I do FMQ....i could not do it as good the other way. As far as it going wonky...I know mine has a lot to do with the speed at which i am moving my hands. I tend to go either too fast or too slow...and either one can mess up the thread....so maybe that is the problem??? just a guess though.

[Iris Girl]

Re: Hello from PA

Hello and welcome from New York!

[Shirley]

Re: Hello from PA

Welcome Missy, we love PA.