Help with machine quilting...please

[mhall3]

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!

[bubba]

Re: Help with machine quilting...please

Since you can not lower your feed dogs, try instead to set your stitch length to zero, or the smallest you can. This will cause the feed dogs to barely move, but not impair your fmq. It is what I do if I'm not using my longarm so I don't have to lift the machine to lower them and it works fine.

[pcbatiks]

Re: Help with machine quilting...please

Are you using a darning foot for the FMQ and can the fabric move freely under the darning foot? Check out Leah Day's videos for adjusting a darning foot for FMQ if you think that might be the problem.

[Slokarma]

Re: Help with machine quilting...please

I had better luck with a studier needle, like a size 16 topstitch and leave tension at normal. Try adjusting the spring on your quilting foot and do check out Leah Day's video's. They are full of invaluable info!

Don't expect to nail it on your first try out of the box.

[Annav]

Re: Help with machine quilting...please

Also, practice, practice, practice. You have to find your "sweet spot" rhythm between the speed of your foot and the speed of your hands. Until you get used it to, there is a natural inclination to go really fast as you do a curve -- don't. You have to keep your hands moving at the same speed as you do on your straight lines, otherwise, your stitches will go wonky on you. I would suggest some practice sandwiches and practice keeping your hands consistent. Some people like to floor it with the foot, I don't like to go that fast, but I do try to get into a rhythm and keep my curves the same as my straight lines. With practice, you'll get it.

[WVGranny]

Re: Help with machine quilting...please

test out your speed, how fast are you going to fast, to slow it takes a lot of practice

[cyndiofthevortex]

Re: Help with machine quilting...please

You've gotten some great advice here. I was just FMQing this afternoon and thinking of all the things I've learned in the past few years. Follow the tips from this thread and you should be on your way to some nice, enjoyable and pretty FMQing.

My tips? Don't go too fast or too slow. Find the middle ground that works for you. Don't worry at all if your stitches are the same size or not. They won't be and no one will care, not even you, when the quilt is finished. They just can't be so big they'll rip out easily! Do not EVER watch your needle. It isn't going anywhere and all it's going to do is go up and down. Instead, look ahead an inch or two to where you want to go. Wear gloves. I literally can't quilt without them. Mine are Fons and Porter but some here like Machingers. Buy one or the other, but buy some! Don't let the quilt drag down. It needs to be supported on a table and on your lap. I used to pile books around my machine before I had a built-in table! It will certainly make your stitches wonky if the weight of the quilt is pulling it away from the needle. It's good you are keeping at it and not giving up. It is loads of fun once you get the hang of it!

[lhayes1976]

Re: Help with machine quilting...please

Cyndi is right on about watching the needle, it took me forever to not be able to do it, but when I finally did, wow what a difference.