How do I set 8900 for free motion quilting? D4S mode and QB-S foot

Can I Free Motion Quilt on a Regular Sewing Machine? By National Quilters Circle

Yes

https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/article/can-i-free-motion-quilt-on-a-regular-sewing-machine/

How to Stitch the Perfect Stitch Length for Quilting
JULY 28, 2020
Today’s Topic: How to Stitch the Perfect Stitch Length for Quilting

https://lorikennedyquilts.com/how-to-stitch-the-perfect-stitch-length-for-quilting/

Free motion quilting is a finicky function, much more than most other sewing. Since you are getting loops on the back of the fabric, try increasing the upper thread tension. Tension causes the top and bobbin threads to pull against each other. If the pull is not equal, the threads will be pulled to one side or the other.

If you continue to experience looping under the fabric, it could be that the top thread is not fully seated in the tension disk. Try this:

Remove the top thread completely from the machine.
Be sure to install a brand new sharp needle.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning.
Retest your machine.

However, if you don't find a fix, $25 for the special bobbin holder is probably a reasonable cost if it takes care of the problem. The reviews seem to be good:

http://www.sewvacdirect.com/janome-bobbin-case-for-free-motion-quilting-fits-models-mc14000-mc6500p-mc6600p-mc11000-mc7700-mc12000-and-more/

https://thequiltshow.com/forum/domestic-sewing-machines/120-janome-mc6600p
"Yesterday I bought a new free motion quilting foot and a bobbinholder (for free motion) for my MC Janome 6600P. I have been quilting all day, and belive you me it is a greate investment!!! :lol: :lol: Its like sewing on butter :lol: :shock:

Free motion Quilting Foot: part no.: 200-442-004 (MC6600P and MC11000)

Bobbin Holder (for free quilting and hand-look quiltstitch): part no.: 200-445-007 (MC 6600P, MC11000 and MC6500)

Bet you would love to have those too if you are doing a lot of free motion! The quiltfoot you can adjust so it works perfectly on your quilt!
:lol: :D :wink: I am sooooo happy!!!!"


https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/2012/01/free-motion-quilting-tips-ii.html

LOOPS Tension or Speed

Free Motion Quilting Tension Problems

///

You can do embroidery or you can do free motion. If you're quilting a quilt sandwich (fabric, batting, backing fabric), you probably want to do free motion quilting. Embroidery would work better on fabric (with a stabilizer) but without the batting and backing fabric.

For free motion, you want a free motion foot--your machine's manufacturer probably provided one in the accessory kit (called a darning foot) or there are many generic free motion feet available for purchase (ie Big Foot quilting foot...). The BIG difference with a darning foot or free motion foot is that the shank is shorter than other presser feet because there needs to extra space between the presser foot and the needle plate so the quilter can easily manipulate the fabric. Usually, free motion quilters will drop the feed dogs to avoid feed dog interference with the fabric's movement, however, some quilters don't drop the feed dogs--just whatever works best for you and your machine. In addition, I use a Supreme Slider on the sewing machine surface--a silicone mat that provides a slick surface to help the fabric move.

There are a lot of web sites and video tutorials on free motion quilting. Take some time to watch them and then practice, practice, practice! It's an acquired skill so the more you practice, the better you will be.

...

Be sure to have a darning foot or free motion quilting foot (this presser foot is shorter in height so when you lower it, it will not press the fabric to the feed dogs). The foot must allow space under it so the fabric can be manually moved.

The last step is to lower the feed dogs so they are not interfering with your manual manipulation of the fabric.

Lots of web sites about free motion quilting.

Learn How to Free Motion Quilt Stippling

You need to drop the feed dogs, install a darning or free motion quilting foot (make sure the presser foot is lowered). Because you will not be using the machine to move the fabric, the stitch length selection is of no importance. Make sure the stitch width is set to zero. You should test FMQ on a scrap quilt sandwich of the same makeup of your project, ie quilt fabric with batting sandwiched between. The upper tension should be set so that both threads meet in the middle of the quilt sandwich. Because it is FMQ, some extra adjustment may be needed.

Once the tension is where you want it, you can practice FMQ until you can move it smoothly in conjunction with the machine speed.

Practicing on a white board with erasable markers is a handy way to learn to move smoothly. The most difficult part of free motion quilting is learning to move the fabric smoothly. Do NOT lack for practice as that is the only way to improve. Those people who make it look simple have been doing it for years!

How to Free Motion Quilt on Regular Sewing Machine

Free Motion Quilting for Beginners Part 1 Video from Sewing with Nancy

Free Motion Quilting

Learn How to Free Motion Quilt Stippling

....

Are you asking about free motion quilting (FMQ)?

If so, you need a darning foot of some type (a foot that does not press the fabric to the sewing surface).

You need to drop the feed dogs (or if your machine does not have that capability, a feed dog cover that probably came with your machine and set the stitch length to zero).

Then, add lots of PRACTICE!!! I like to draw designs on a white board with an erasable white board marker... The more fluid you can become, the better experience you will have with FMQ.

Free Motion Quilting Beginner Tutorial 1 of 4

How to Free Motion Quilt on Regular Sewing Machine

START HERE

Free Motion Quilting

...

You need a special foot for free motion quilting--it is slightly shorter in height than a regular presser foot, which essentially provides space between the presser foot and the needle plate to manually move the fabric. Sometimes machines came with a standard darning foot accessory. Your Pfaff dealer probably has at least one style in stock. But there are other specialty feet you can probably use, ie Big Foot, clear free motion foot, C-shaped, oval, etc. You can also purchase a shank adapter (verify it is the correct shank for your machine) and use it with a kit of snap-on presser feet so you can have a variety of presser feet for different functions.

Pfaff Presser Feet

Pfaff Big Foot Free Motion Quilting Foot

Pfaff Free Motion Guide Presser Foot

Pfaff Free Motion Open Toe Quilting Foot

http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/snap-on-sewing-machine-presser-feet.aspx

http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/snap-on-sewing-machine-presser-feet.aspx

Free Motion Quilting

...

#26 is an embroidery foot. Why are you using an embroidery foot for free motion quilting? A #24 free motion embroidery foot will work but not the #26. Try using a darning foot that is just a smidgen shorter so there is space between it and the needleplate for you to freely move the fabric. (Adding a Supreme Slider sheet to the work surface of your machine helps make the fabric glide much smoother.) A standard presser foot is made to press the fabric against the feed dogs so the feed dogs will move the fabric. When free motion quilting, you would drop the feed dogs and move the material with your hands.

Depends which model Bernina you have (new or old style presser feet), which will work on your machine. There are also many generic darning/FMQ feet available that will work on your machine.

12 BERNINA presser feet Darning foot 9 (old style)

Quilting foot 29C (new style)

Bernina 530 53 Free Motion Quilting

Top 5 Tips for Successful Free Motion Quilting WeAllSew BERNINA USAs blog...

Seven Steps to Free Motion Quilting

...

a quilting foot or buy one with a round hole in it great

I have used the embroidery foot, which has a round hoop about 1/4" in diameter on the "business end." You can also use an open-toed foot. You want to set your tension so that the bobbin thread doesn't show on the front. You can free-motion quilt with the feed dogs either up or down; some people feel that leaving them up gives a more regular stitch length. You should try both ways to see which you like better.

Also, there is a really neat website with tons of free-motion quilting designs, each with a little video of how to do it; I recommend checking it out:
http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/p/365-designs.html