How do you set up a brother XL-5700 for free motion quilting

The PC8500 does not do free motion well because of its tension design, it is not you.It was one of he earlier machines to set tension by the thickness of the fabric. If you really want to do free motion then it is time for a different machine.

The needle will probably zig-zag, but No the machine generally will not sew sideways unless it is stitching embroidery. To sew sideways, you can use a darning foot or free motion foot, lower the feed dogs, and manually move the fabric sideways as it stitches (see free motion quilting).

https://wpt.org/SewingWithNancy/Video/free-motion-quilting-beginners-part-1

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

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It should be included in the owner's manual. (An internet search did not turn up a manual for your machine, but a model close to your machine may operate very similarly.) You can also contact Brother Support.

This may help:

Frequently Asked Questions

The other possibility is that the feed dogs on your model do not actually drop. There may be an accessory (darning plate) in your kit that covers the feed dogs during darning or free motion quilting. (Shown on page 38 of the following manual):

... Brother XL 4011 manual Google Search

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Which quilting foot will you be using ... free motion/darning foot or walking foot as the settings will be different in each case.

Great site with info, videos. Do it yourself machine fix: www.fixsewingmachine.com Click on TIPS & other free info on the site (left hand side of that site page in yellow). Jimmy

I'm assuming your machine has a little plate you put over the feed dogs rather than a knob which disengages the feed dogs from moving to do free motion embroidery or something.

If this is the case there probably isn't enough room for your quilt sandwich under the foot.

You could try using a free motion embroidery foot rather than the regular foot with the feed dogs up and see if that allows you sufficient movement.

It would look like this:



It may take some practice still to get a smooth stipple if that is the effect you are going for.

You may find some other ideas on quilting websites to get around this problem or in a Yahoo group for quilters. I've only ever quilted in straight stitch using my walking foot so it feeds the quilt smoothly for me, never tried FMQ.

The User Guide suggests there is a different Needleplate (must be thicker than standard) used for darning, free motion quilting etc.
Look HERE for a replacement manual for your Brother XL 3010
Bargain Box

Refer to the accessories and you will find one is a darning plate. If you check the section for darning, there will be more information.

Look on the throat plate and there should be a tiny hole on each side of the feed dogs, this is where the plate snaps into place.

If you do not have the plate, set the stitch length to zero, and then tape an index card over the feed dogs with a hole punched out for the needle.

You may use this method forever, or check with your local Brother dealer for the accessory.

I found all of the Brother Sewing machine Manuals free on line.... problem solved!