Free Motion Quilting

I just bought a darning foot for my machine to try free motion quilting.  My machine doesn't have the "stitch regulator" function.  Does any one have any tips on how to sew even stitches?  It's really frustrating!

My sister and I were having a conversation about this exact topic today!  Neither one has actually tried it, but here's some tips we've read from others:
- Sew fast, the faster you go the easier it is to keep your stitches even.
- Be sure your feed dogs are down, so that you can move your fabric around with ease.
- Practice, a no-brainer I know, but I've heard it takes a little time to get it right even with the famous Bernina BSR so just keep at it.

This is all I have for now until I try it on my own which will be in about two weeks.  I can't wait, but I have to get my other projects completed before starting another new one!

Part of the deal with free-motion is turning off everything on your machine that could regulate the shape and direction of the stitch (by lowering the feed dogs and setting the stitch length to zero) so I'm not sure it can be truly successful on a machine without a stitch regulator.  That said, I've never used a machine without a stitch regulator.  Maybe you can make it work!  

On speed: I've found that, if I start moving too fast, it's easy to get a little out of control and end up with loops and zig zags instead of nice curves.  For me, the key is to do as much continuous quilting as possible at an even pace, with as few stops and starts as I can manage.  I've also found that it's easier when I move the quilt "bottom to top" or pulling the quilt toward me instead of "top to bottom" or pushing it away like the machine's feed dogs normally would.  Hopefully that makes some semblance of sense!   

I've never had a stitch regulator, and I have machine quilted HUNDREDS of things. I am not sure I would like the stitch regulator, anyhow... I am kind of a control freak.  I just use a very old Viking Turissa regular sewing machine from the 70's. Works great.

One thing that will help you is to release the downward pressure on your presser foot. Most machines have this adjustment. The older machines have a spring button on top. Newer ones may have a dial on the left side of the machine.

You don't need to adjust stitch length - once you have dropped the feed dogs, the stitch length is not a factor.

You need to maintain the right speed balance between your hands and feet - in other words, you want to move the fabric as fast as the motor is running. Most people find this easiest to do if they step on the gas and move the quilt top fairly steadily. I recommend practicing on scraps before you start on your quilt. Make loops and spirals. Write your name. It really is like drawing, but it's as if you are holding the pencil (needle) in one place and moving the paper(quilt) underneath it. Make sure that every time you stop moving, the needle is in the down position.

My best advice to you, however, is to take a class. There are so many helpful things to learn from a good teacher.

How hard is this to do on a regular machine? And if I can do it, do I need to buy a special foot for my machine? Thanks ladies. I'm a quiltling newbie.

It's not that hard!  The hardest part is if your quilt is really really big it can be tough to squeeze through the machine.  But it can be done.  You'll need a walking foot for straight lines and a darning foot for free motion quilting.  Have fun!

I have tried free motion quilting on my machine, after taking a class, and I don't have a stitch regulator. It truly comes down to practice. One thing they had us do was cut out 12" muslin squares and layer 12" square of batting in between. Use a dark thread and practice away. That way you don't have to be afraid of ruining a quilt. You'll want to make a few of the squares. I even practice to get in the groove before doing a new project. I'm still not that great at it but it is coming along. 

I've heard quilting gloves also help with the grip.

Good luck!!!!

I have done a lot of free motion quilting, and agree that going fast is best.  In order to have even stitches, you have to have consistency of both machine speed and hand speed moving the quilt.  It is hard to consistently keep your machine pedal at any constant speed except when it is floored, hence the need to go fast.  Start slower and smoothly  ramp up to full speed to avoid herky-jerky stitching.  Also practice, practice practice.  Like anything, you'll get better each time.  After you practice and want to attempt quilting your first quilt, try to do one with busy fabrics in a thread that blends in  - it is much more forgiving.  Good luck!

I suggest you do a very easy design for your first machine quilting project.  On my sampler quilt, I did too much and was overwhelmed.  I wish I had just done something simple.

I just finished my first project using free motion quilting. It was a baby quilt panel with cute little animals and clothes hanging on a line that I thought I could outline using my darning foot and free motion quilting. Add a nice binding and you have a quick project, right!?! Well, it worked- sort of- but not as quickly as I thought!! On my machine (no stitch regulator, a Bernette 80e), I had to drop the feed dogs and set both the stitch length & width to "0". That may be different on other machines. Anyways, my stitch ripper got a lot of use during the project, but by the end of it, I felt fairly comfortable with it and was getting pretty even stitches. Anyways, the quilt is enroute to my new niece, and I was satisfied with it.

I think practice is pretty important to get the hang of coordinating your hands to move the quilt and getting the right speed. Good luck!

First time poster here... : )
Glad to read all this... I'm very new to sewing and quilting, but have been wondering about free motion stuff... Interested in trying sometime.... Great tips!

Like the others have said, it all comes down to practice, practice, practice. You'll figure out the right combination of machine speed, and hand movements, and how tightly to hold on to your quilt sandwich.

Also, take it easy on yourself. It's easy to spot your mistakes when you've got your quilt right up in your face, but honestly, how many people are really going to inspect every single one of your stitches? Just use a thread that blends with your fabric and don't worry about it

i would have to say to go with a smaller quilt size for your first one - a baby quilt or even a table runner so you can get used to dealing with the full bulk of it (batting and backing along with the top).  your best bet is to do some straight stitch quilting first - it's easier and the machine controls it.  i love to use a darning foot now, but it is a lot harder to control - because you are in control, not your machine.  the most important thing is to make sure you have your machine set up so that what you are quilting doesn't hang.  you want it supported (by the table or an ironing board) so that gravity doesn't pull on your stitches and make them wonky.  i don't own one - nor have i ever used one - but i suppose you could get a walking foot for more control, but it is certainly not necessary.

Thanks so much for the posts about free motion quilting.  I had just been thinking about starting this and had no idea how.  You guys are great!

I just started free motion quilting after finally taking a class.  I tried and tried and tried to teach myself and the best advice I can give first of all is to suck it up and take a class.    It will be worth every penny.

That being said, I don't have a stitch regulator either and two pieces of equipment that will make your life a whole lot easier are a pair of Machingers (little gloves with latex tips) and a sewing platform or table that gives you a big, even workspace.  Since the platforms run about $100, my husband and I made one out of a piece of plywood and a wooden dowel.  If you'd like pictures I can email you some.

Keep your stitches nice and big--one of my major mistakes was that I was trying to make them really tiny and the instructor taught me to keep them long (probably between a 3 and a 4 setting if you were to compare).

Good luck!!