MY MACHINE IS GOING SO SLOW I COULD HAND STITCH FASTER?

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/

To slow down the stitching speed on your Husqvarna Viking 18 x8, you can try the following steps:

1. Check the machine's manual: First, consult the manual that came with your Husqvarna Viking 18 x8 machine. The manual should have instructions on how to adjust the stitching speed.
2. Adjust the stitch length: One way to slow down the stitching speed is to adjust the stitch length. A shorter stitch length will slow down the machine's stitching speed. Refer to your machine's manual for instructions on how to adjust the stitch length.
3. Change the foot pressure: Another way to slow down the stitching speed is to change the foot pressure. Reducing the foot pressure can help slow down the machine's stitching speed. Again, refer to your machine's manual for instructions on how to adjust the foot pressure.
4. Use a different presser foot: Some presser feet are designed for slower stitching speeds. You can try using a different presser foot to slow down the machine's stitching speed.
5. Use a speed control pedal: Some machines come with a speed control pedal that allows you to adjust the machine's stitching speed. If your machine has a speed control pedal, try using it to slow down the stitching speed.

If none of these steps help slow down the stitching speed on your Husqvarna Viking 18 x8, you may need to contact a professional technician for assistance.

You should check with a Janome dealer if your machine can use a stitch regulator. Machines that take a stitch regulator need the ability to plug into the machine, which is not available on a lot of machines unless they have the stitch regulator function. A stitch regulator helps some people. It still takes a lot of practice moving the fabric smoothly.

On my BSR, it has an "eye" that measures the distance the fabric moves under the presser foot so it can stitch at the specified distance. The faster the fabric moves, the faster it stitches, but the stitches tend to more uniform in length.

FWIW, I read a summary of the Janome 8200 QC Horizon and there was no mention of a stitch regulator.

http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2011/05/piecing-quilting-on-janome-horizon-7700.html

The motor seems to run faster than the stitching? Can you explain more?

That would depend on if you have a regular home sewing machine or a embroidery machine. I'm going to assume that you have a regular machine.

There is something called free hand embroidery. you lower or disengage the feed dogs, take off the presser foot. Some use a darning foot and others just leave the foot off. Hopefully your design is already marked on the fabric. Place fabric in a regular hand embroidery so they fabric is right side up but the hoop makes it sit down in the rings. (make sense) Fit your hoop on the bed of the sewing machine, under the presser foot/presser foot bar. Lower the presser foot lever. (important for tension) and select stitch style and length. you may need to adjust tensions too.

Begin stitching, take a couple stitches... then reverse a couple... then snip the loose ends. Continue to stitch, guiding the hoop so that the needle follows the design. Start slowly and as you discover how your hand movements effect the length of the stitches... you can speed up and slow down as you need to create your design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylMy6QdsZr4

Do you have a lever below the digital stitch window? That's where you change the speed. There are 3 speeds on this machine ranging from "slower than frozen molasses" to "autobahn" ... When you try the different speeds, you'll see what I mean!

This sounds like a bearing failure, I would take it in to a service center and ask for a free estimate.

Sorry for your headache. It is the frame. If it is not level, balanced, you have hell to pay. Also it there is a nick in the grooves of the carriage tracks this will cause a machine problem. You may be able to repair the frame, or level it about the old level the table trick, put something under that part.

Good luck

it sounds like your machine needs servicing. have you oiled all moving parts inside machine? is the belt tight enough that it is not slipping?

you should have your machine serviced by a technician every 2 or 3 years.

scott

Rule of thumb: Fast needle, slow hands. This should help. GiGi