Free motion tension problems--help!

I'm glad you popped back in Di. I thought of something else last night: when you do start using your darning foot, you might be alarmed that it doesn't seem to hold the fabric - it doesn't go down far enough when you put the presser foot lever down to its lowest position. That is perfectly normal. It only holds the fabric down as it is making the stitch (I think that's the way round!). It is that that makes the movement possible. You need to anchor the fabric by putting the needle down into the exact place you want to start. Then, when you put your foot on the foot control to start, nothing will move until *you move the fabric. Hold the quilt still until you are ready to go. It is a completely different way of working. You'll soon get the hang of it, but I thought I might just mention to you the things that made me think the machine was broken! when I first started. . In message , DiMa writes

Thanks Patti,

Thursday will be a practice day for me - and I am looking forward to not having to struggle as I did with the walking foot. Will let you know how it went. Thanks heaps.

I am printing out the information you wonderful ladies have given me. Thank you.

Thanks Marcella,

My sister who woke me up to the darning foot had a really good laugh until I reminded her that she is my teacher even if she does live 3.5 hours away from me.

We are due to have another sewing/quilting holiday together and I am so looking forward to it.

It was easy for me to use because I made it but I have to say the pins got in the way lots of times. I laugh about it now that I know to use the darning foot.

Strangely enough, I have been a sewer since about age 9 helping my mother do piece work (I am 63 yrs) and have only just completed my very first wall hanging with embroidery on it. It's a near miracle it got finished.

LOL! :-) Good analogy.

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada, USA

Roberta wrote:

Thanks DiMa,

Yeah, I've got a great walking for straight quilting, but while I'm not using a darning foot, I've got a foot--mostly clear plastic--that barely sits on the fabric and I can move the quilt easily.

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada, USA

I think we've come full circle on this one. Back at the beginning, I reminded Michelle to be sure that her presser foot was DOWN. It won't look like it is but it matters. Lots. Now that we have introduced the darning foot - there are several types and one will probably make you happier than another. For me, the best one is shaped like a horseshoe with the open end facing me. There's also a full circle one, a clear plastic sort of oval and a large purple one named Big Foot, I think. I killed 3 big feet before I discovered the horseshoe. I just might be a little heavy-handed when I'm quilting. Polly

"DiMa" Thanks Patti,

Polly, my darning foot is a "U" shaped one - haven't used it yet but will tomorrow when practicing. Fingers crossed I get it right.

Sorry to 'add-on' yet again - things other folk say remind me. Please bear with me! I felt my quilt wasn't moving well for me one day, paid attention to what I was doing to see why. I discovered that I was pressing on the quilt so hard with my hands (for control purposes?) that it was anchored to the machine 'table'. So, try not to get as tense as I do >gg< . In message , Taria writes

Like Polly, I also prefer the U-shaped darning foot. It's still round "enough" that I can use it to gauge rough distances between rows of stitches, yet the open area allows much better visibility. Best of luck! :)

Hi Taria,

Yes, I'm thinking gloves might help too. It is hard to get a good grip!

Thanks! Michelle > Just an additional thought. I haven't read all the replies so

LOL! Sounds like great advice, Patti. Maybe I'll be able to do that in a few hundred hours from now. ;-)

Still, I do get your point.

Best regards, Michelle > Sorry to 'add-on' yet again - things other folk say remind me. Please > bear with me!

Well, I just read the header as meaning 'motion tension problems help at no cost.' Guess it is time to close up this computer for today. PAT, LOL in VA

LOL! :-)

Michelle > Well, I just read the header as meaning 'motion tension problems help at no > cost.'