Basted and ready to go, BUT...

[cathys311]

Hey ladies! First, I wanted to say thank you to everyone on this site because I've learned so much and it's really helped me along. I've put my quilt top together in about 3 days, working on it about 4 hours a day. Ya'll are great!!

My problem is... well, most of the feet for my sewing machine are all snap-on, except for my free-motion foot. I've tried reading the instructions, that don't really amount to much, but I don't think I have it installed correctly.

The instructions say to raise the needle and the presser foot lever, undo the screw on the side, and remove the presser foot holder. Then, it says to make sure the presser foot screw is above the needle clamp screw. Then, lower the presser foot lever and tighten the presser foot screw.

I did all that... but the screw won't go in properly if I have the foot lowered. I also attached the darning plate like it says to, and between the weird way of the free-motion foot and the plate, you couldn't squeeze a piece of fabric under there, let alone a whole quilt sandwich.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but if anyone has any experience with these type of machines and feet, I would most definitely appreciate your help!!

Thanks again!!!

[maggie]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

Hi, my first time here...I just bought a free motion foot last week. I unscrewed the plate holder, fit the new foot with the lever up and wiggled it a bit making sure the screw went through. I am able to drop my feedogs so I don't know if the darning plate is higher than the normal plate, I don't think it should be. My FM foot has two little red lines that line up with the throat plate, line that up and the screw hole should line up. It was more difficult when I was concentrating on the screw part, leave the foot up. I hope that helps!

[shell.scraps]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

Here is the manual for my machine...it has pictures

Innovis 40 check page 32

I don't know why you would touch the plate if you can drop the feed dogs? You shouldn't be loosening any plates at all..even if you can't drop your feed dogs and have to use the plastic plate it should snap over the metal plate on your machine.

[cathys311]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

shell.scraps: that's almost exactly how mine is. I mean, it's really about the same. I've went over it again today, and installed it exactly the way it told me to. It just doesn't seem right. Am I not supposed to be able to squeeze the quilt sandwich under the foot without almost breaking it?

[maggie]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

Only thought I have, do you have a low shank machine and a high shank FM foot? Maybe that's my it's so tight, it shouldn't be or else you will never be able to move your quilt.

[ladybugmom62]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

Can you snap a pic of your machine and the problem? Maybe we can figure out how to help better

[cathys311]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

That's probably not the best picture...

When I try to sew free-motion, I make sure that I move the fabric and hold it firmly. The thread bunches up on the bottom and tangles to the point I have to cut the fabric just the get it out of the machine. I don't think there's a way to disengage the feed dogs which is why I have the darning plate on there, if I'm understanding it all correctly...

I've read the instructions for my machine 4 times and made sure I was doing everything right. I've made sure that the top thread and the bobbin are threaded correctly... I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

So, if I decide not to try free-motion quilting, which I'm really leaning towards, do I HAVE to use a walking foot to try say.. cross-hatch? I can't afford a walking foot right now, and I bought the 1/4" foot and the quilting foot thinking I would use them more...

Please help Thanks!!

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

I don't know if this will help or not.
When I put my free motion foot on (it looks kind of like a circle), I also have to put a plate on to cover my feed dogs. Mine is pretty tight against the plate too. And the first time, I was thinking there is no way I will get a quilt sandwich inbetween there!
My foot has a spring on it. If I push up on the foot, I can get my quilt inbetween it and the plate.

Does this help?

Hugs,
quilting trish

[ladybugmom62]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

I don't know if this will help or not.
When I put my free motion foot on (it looks kind of like a circle), I also have to put a plate on to cover my feed dogs. Mine is pretty tight against the plate too. And the first time, I was thinking there is no way I will get a quilt sandwich inbetween there!
My foot has a spring on it. If I push up on the foot, I can get my quilt inbetween it and the plate.

Does this help?

Hugs,
quilting trish

I agree with trish, try to lift with the spring. check the back lower left side and see if there is a way to drop your feed dogs. That is about the only thing I can help with. It does look like you have it in there correctly. As for the bunching in the base, you may be too close to the edge of the material and it gets caught. Good luck!

[shell.scraps]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

just thought of something...do you have the bar of the foot above the bar of the needle? you need to have the bar above the needle screw...

check out page 73 in the link I posted earlier...it give a great illustration of the free motion/darning foot....

[cathys311]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

Thanks to everyone trying to help me with my dilemma.

Ladybugmom: I LOVE that quilt in your picture!! I meant to say that in my last post and forgot due to my frustration with my sewing machine. lol

quiltingtrish: That's how mine is and that is exactly what I've been thinking lol. "How can I squeeze this big ole thick thing in between there.. there's no room!!" lol. I have actually lifted up on the back of it and that's how I've managed to get my practice sandwich under there. I wasn't sure if I was even supposed to do that, but I really didn't see any other way.

shell.scraps: I did look at the link for your sewing machine's manual. It looks almost identical to mine. Like I said, I've read it several times and went over everything. I just can't figure out where I'm going wrong . I did make sure that the foot's bar was above the needle clamp screw. That was like step 4 in my manual lol .

maggie: I'm sorry, I should have said this in my first reply... Welcome!! This is one of the best sites I've ever found on quilting. Everyone is so nice. I hope you like it here and hope ya stay!! I'm not sure what you mean by low shank and high shank... lost me there.

One thing I forgot to mention is the noise that it makes. Now, I've got the bobbin threaded correctly and the needle threaded correctly. When I tried free motion on a single scrap piece, it worked just fine. For some reason, it literally wants to eat the sandwich!!! LOL. It makes a sound almost like clicking and about 2 seconds later is when it jams up. When it's done that, I made sure more than once that I cleaned the bobbin case.

Is is possible to straight-line quilt without the walking foot? I know I kind of asked that in my last post, but I wasn't sure if I worded it correctly. I've had a nap now, so I'm thinking a little more clearly lol.

Happy Easter To All!!!

[shell.scraps]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

can you take your machine to where you bought it and ask them? At the store I bought mine at they offer owner's classes and you can bring your machine and basically pick their brain for anything you need help with.

Sorry we weren't more help!!!

[cathys311]

Re: Basted and ready to go, BUT...

Shell.scraps, this site is more than helpful!

I can't take it back because I bought it on Amazon.com. I did some research online and I was putting the free-motion foot on correctly, but I still haven't figured out what I was doing wrong. I actually ended up using my quilting foot and making sure I watch the fabric closely. It's got just a little bit of puckering, but I can live with that for my first quilt. I should have it done by next weekend. I'm so excited!

Thanks to all for the help.