I cannot find the packet my needles came in & need to order some more for my Thompson Walking Foot machine. What is the number for the needle that fits this machine. I'm thinking it might be 135X17 but am not sure. Thanks, Crystal
Local store did not even know what the machine or needle was. I'm in a very rural area. I finally found a source on-line for Thompson after mega-searching & several different search engines and apparently my long-term memory was correct. It was a 135x17. The 15x1 705 is too short for this machine. Those are predominately for household machines. I now have 100 needles coming from Allbrands.com. This machine is no longer manufactured anymore but has been replaced by Sailrite which is made by the same company. Thanks for trying.Local store did not even know what the machine or needle was. I'm in a very rural area. I finally found a source on-line for Thompson after mega-searching & several different search engines and apparently my long-term memory was correct. It was a 135x17. The 15x1 705 is too short for this machine. Those are predominately for household machines. I now have 100 needles coming from Allbrands.com. This machine is no longer manufactured anymore but has been replaced by Sailrite which is made by the same company. Thanks for trying.
You can't post conmments that contain an email address.
135 X 17 is the correct sizing. Needles you should use are from #18 to #22. You can order from sailrite.com or from "thompson" the manufacturer is now datco or something, located in Lubbock Texas (do a google search on Thompson mini walking foot sewing machine)
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
It sounds like you are trying to attach a walking foot to your machine. Usually when you install your waling foot the needle clamp screw pushes against the lever. This lever is spring loaded. To avoid fighting the spring you can lower the needle into the hole on the walking foot and then attach the foot to the ankle.
The U shaped clamp usually hooks "around" the needle screw. Yes, usually the walking foot may need oil (just a tiny bit) where the parts move against each other.
Always turn the handwheel TOWARDS you (counter clockwise) as turning it in the opposite direction (away from you, clockwise) may knock the timing out requiring repair from a service center.
Always be sure your presser foot is in the DOWN position before sewing. Sewing with the presser foot in the up position will cause your thread to tangle and your bobbin to jam.
Change needles regularly (after 16 hours of use) as dull/weak needles can cause damage to your machine and fabric. Only use SINGER needles on your SINGER sewing machine.
Always be sure you are using the correct bobbin for your machine. Class 66, Class 15 and Class 15J bobbins look very similar. However, using the incorrect bobbin class in your machine can cause damage.
The waling foot sewing machine attachments I am familiar with don't exactly walk. They have a presser foot that glide over the cloth like every other presser foot. In addition they have feed dogs that work in unison with the feed dogs built in the machine. When the needle penetrates the material, the lower dogs drop and come forward and the upper dogs raise and come forward. As the needle exits the cloth,the lower dogs rise and pull the cloth while the upper dogs drop and pull the cloth. The arm on the attachment that operates the upper dogs rides on the screw that holds the needle. There is nothing to adjust.
You may need to use a walking foot with your machine as stretchy fabrics are hard for the feed dogs to 'grip' and pull the material through under the needle.... you will probably need to change needle as well... there should be a helpful video on YouTube that will tell u all about sewing with stretchy fabrics and how a 'walking foot' works... hope that helps.
Quilting with a walking foot is technically (IMHO) not free motion quilting. With a walking foot, the feed dogs are still activated so they can work in conjunction with the walking foot to (hopefully) prevent wrinkles in the fabric sandwich. Quilting with a walking foot is more suited for stitching in straight lines or stitching in the ditch. In this mode, you would not pull or push the fabric as the machine should do that.
FMQ Free Motion Quilting requires the operator to manually move the fabric sandwich under the needle. There are some sewists who do not use a presser foot, however, if you value your fingers, it would be best to use, at a minimum, a darning foot. Darning feet and free motion quilting feet are shorter than a regular presser foot so it does not make contact with the feed dogs or the needle plate. The space between the needle plate and darning foot is what allows a sewist to maneuver the fabric. Usually, the feed dogs are lowered when performing FMQ, but there are some sewists who don't. It's probably a matter of preference.
Most older sewing machines included a darning foot in the accessory kit. Newer sewing machines may have several presser foot options for FMQ. In addition, there are many FMQ presser feet available on the market that can be ordered to fit your specific machine, ie Big Foot. Nancy Notions Trusted by sewing enthusiasts for more than 3 decades
There are a wide variety of FMQ presser feet, some have springs so they "hop" on the fabric, some are metal, others are clear plastic, some are full circles, others are not round or may be open toe. There are also special presser feet that have a thicker base made for FMQ with rulers--the thicker base helps prevent the ruler from slipping under the presser foot and being struck by the needle.
In addition to the multitude of FMQ presser foot choices, there are a variety of other tools available, ie quilting gloves, quilting hoops, marking tools, pattern transfer supplies, silicone mat that covers the sewing machine surface making it easier to glide the fabric. Amazon com Queen Size Supreme Slider Free Motion Machine Quilting Mat...
There are tons of tutorials for FMQ. Just as there are many different methods, the right method is the one that works best for you. There are also lots of rules, but rules are made to be broken, so don't let someone else squelch your creativity. Quilt to please yourself.
Above all, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. I have a small whiteboard that I practice drawing designs. Muscle memory will make FMQ easier. There is also the need to get a comfortable sewing speed along with the speed at which you move the fabric. If you are breaking needles, your fabric movement is probably too fast for the sewing speed. Also, practice moving the fabric while keeping the sewing speed consistent.
Good luck! Remember, those awesome FMQers didn't learn it overnight. Many have been doing it for over 20 years, so don't be overly critical of yourself. You'll see improvement with every project you complete.
Local store did not even know what the machine or needle was. I'm in a very rural area. I finally found a source on-line for Thompson after mega-searching & several different search engines and apparently my long-term memory was correct. It was a 135x17. The 15x1 705 is too short for this machine. Those are predominately for household machines. I now have 100 needles coming from Allbrands.com. This machine is no longer manufactured anymore but has been replaced by Sailrite which is made by the same company. Thanks for trying.
×