Meander/Stipple using domestic machine...HELP Please

[rosebud3]

I am working on a quilt that I would like to quilt using free motion on my domestic machine, but I can't seem to get the machine set right or I just don't understand what I should be doing. In the manual, it says to set the machine for darning and drop the feed dogs, which I did. The top looks really good but the bottom looks like a bunch of little knots. What am I doing wrong? How do I adjust so the stitching is smooth on the back? I appreciate any information anyone could share. Thanks

Mary

[luv_2quilt60]

well, that sounds like to me your tension is to tight..and or threaded wrong..re thread and maybe the thread is not right for your machine..Hope u get it worked out!//Hugs Bev

[BarbieJean]

Make sure your presser foot is down.

[Littlebit]

sounds like you don't have your pressure foot down and it needs to be ) hope this helps

[beccasmom]

How is your practicing coming along Mary?

Brenda

[rosebud3]

Hi Brenda...it is getting better. One thing I found out, it is like patting your head with one hand and rubbing your tummy with the other at the same time. Lol, put the pedal to the metal with your foot, but slow as a snail with your hands. Also if you have to stop, be sure to stop both at the same time. I think I'm about ready to graduate to the quilt. Wish me luck.

Mary

[beccasmom]

Have fun and just take your time with it.

Brenda

[Joannequilts]

Hope you figured out the problem!!

Just yesterday, I played with my free motion quilting with the darning foot. The manual said to LOWER the tension (my machine has 1 to 5...5 being the most tension). But when I did that, the back of the quilting looked like a railroad track! SO, I went the other way..increasing the tension and it was much better!
I guess you just have to practice different tensions...using the same speed. I made a quilt sandwich to do the practice and marked the tension numbers next to each sample.

Good luck!
Joanne:0)

[geriwood]

Try not to go too fast. Adjust the tension and make sure the needle matches the thread. good luck. Geri

[rosebud3]

I am not happy. It is working beautifully on practice pieces, but not on the quilt. Part of it looks really good and part of it is terrible. It looks like I need to get a bigger table area level with my machine and see if that will help.

Any suggestions for making one?

Mary