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Re: How do I lower the feed dogs on my viking lily in...
There is a switch the slides back and forth on the front of the machine at the throat below the needle plate but above the base (around the opening of the machine between the throat and the base). Slide it either left or right depending on where it is now. Otherwise, suggest you take it to an authorized husqvarna viking dealer for service. You can locate a dealer near you by visiting the husqvarna viking website and clicking on the Dealer link on the left-hand side of the page - http://www.husqvarnaviking.com Good luck.
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Are you using a very thin fabric? If so perhaps you need more pressure, try turning up the pressure wheel a notch. Normal setting is 4 so perhaps up to 5 or 6. But remember to turn it back down when finished.
Most any straight stitch machine can do quilting. You can find an 'even-feed' /walking/quilting foot in most shops that will fit a low-shank machine. This type of foot is designed to 'walk' on top of the fabric so that foot pressure does not separate the layers when the feed dogs work on the bottom of your quilt.
So you are quilting but not free motion quilting... Generally, a walking foot is used when just doing straight stitch quilting. It has feet that actually walk at the same time the feed dogs are pulling.
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.
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
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.
The 7442 does not have feed dogs which can be dropped. You need to use the "Darning Plate" which came with the accessories.
http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html
Hi, when you quilt straight lines using the walking foot, you need the feed dogs up, to move the fabric in a straight direction under the needle. When you do free motion quilting, which is done with a darning foot, your hands move the fabric in many different directions. Since you want to be the one to move the fabric, you put the feed dogs down and you do the work. So when you use the walking foot, keep your feed dogs up. When you use the darning foot, feed dogs down.
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