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I have just started learning how to quilt and I was told I needed a walking foot to quilt the sandwich together. I purchased one today, but I don't even know how to attach the foot. I also need to know how to use it.
Re: I have just started learning how to quilt and I was...
The foot is attached as normal, but when you're attaching it, the fork-shaped part that sticks out of the right-hand-side has to be hooked around the round pillar sticking out horizontally from the right-hand-side of the needle bar and that holds the needle securing screw. When the foot is down, you will see that the upwards motion of the needle bar raises the upper set of feed dogs on the walking foot - the whole purpose of the walking foot is to provide, effectively, a set of feed dogs on the top of the material as well as the toothed ones below the stitch plate - this allows multilayered or thick materials to be sewn as when doing quilting.
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As for tension, etc., you would test and adjust on a scrap sandwich made of the same material as your project. The top and bobbin threads should meet in the middle of the sandwich. Your machine also has an adjustable foot pressure. If you are sewing a thick sandwich you may need to lighten the pressure so the sandwich will feed easier through the machine.
Here's information about needles. For quilting sandwiches (with woven cotton, not knits), use a "brand new" sharp needle (like a universal, top-stitch, embroidery, or quilting needle) of the size large enough to accommodate the thread you are using and sturdy enough to be able to penetrate the sandwich without bending, probably at least an 80/12 or larger but not so large as to leave holes in the quilt.
https://www.schmetzneedles.com/all-about-needles/
Thread really depends on what you and your machine like to use. You can use cotton or polyester. Just be sure to use a good quality thread--nothing that has been setting in the drawer for 5 years or that was purchased from the bargain bin.
There are a lot of accessories available for free motion quilting. However, in reality, FMQ can be done with a darning foot (usually included with your machine). Of course, you can opt to purchase a multitude of FMQ presser feet for your machine, ie open darning foot, clear foot, hopping foot...plus many quilting rulers. The only other change is to drop the feed dogs. From there, it's just a lot of practice, practice, practice. It helps to practice drawing FMQ designs on something like a blackboard or whiteboard that can be erased and used multiple times. The idea is to get your movement smooth and consistent--muscle memory--like you used to do when learning how to write in grade school. It may also be helpful to have some gloves that will grip the fabric since your skin will become dry from constant contact with the fabric and begin to slip. There are special "quilting" gloves for $$ or you can try some cheap rubber gloves from the dollar store or rubber garden gloves.
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!
When stitching together a quilt sandwich, it is recommended to use a walking foot on your machine. The walking foot moves the upper fabric in conjunction with the feed dogs. Sometimes, if the quilt sandwich is not too thick, a roller foot can also help but may not be sufficient for a quilt sandwich. What is Walking Foot Sewing Tips for Beginners How To Use Walking Foot How to Use Roller Foot
You may also check the presser foot pressure on your machine. This regulates the amount of pressure the presser foot applies to the fabric and the feed dogs. If the pressure is too strong, it will tend to push the upper layers of fabric, creating a bubble look. If the pressure is too loose, there is not enough pressure for the feed dogs to physically pull entire quilt sandwich under the presser foot.
(The pressure is adjustable depending on the types of fabric and thicknesses being sewn.) http://www.sewdaily.com/how-to-sew/sewing-machine-basics/the-best-kept-secret-on-your-sewing-machine
make sure that the thread tensions are correct for the thickness of material
remember that only the bottom foot walks and draws the material through so it may need a help and be pulled as it sews.
I find that women in sewing shops just love to talk about problems and how they can help so find a shop and discuss any problems with them
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.
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.
Usually a walking foot is for straight forward stitching only.It keeps the many layers from shifting for you. The "hand-look" quilting takes a couple stitches forward then one back. If you look close, you will see about every other stitch is thicker and stands out more.
I am not sure how to use the walking foot.
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