This is the biggest project that I have tried quilting and I decided to have a play and try different FMQ techniques on different squares of the quilt. Its fun playing around and seeing how different things look. So far I've done stippling, feathers and pebbles. Not too sure about the pebbles but the rest looks halfway respectable.
The only problem is that my machine is playing up. It is not enjoying my attempts at Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) and for every 3 times that the needle goes in, it is only making about 1 stitch. Its VERY frustrating!
I know that the answer is to get my machine serviced, but to be honest I'm not sure that its worth it (my machine is pretty basic). With several other big costs hanging over our heads I fear that a new sewing machine for me will be our lowest priority.
Oh decisions decisions, why does everything boil down to money?!?
I'm linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.
juliet, that quilt is a beauty, loving all the yellow, so fresh. if only the machine would co-operate! sharing your money frustrations, we've spent so much on emergency renovations we havent the hope of anything new in a long time. good job we like thrifting!
ReplyDeleteps sorry to hear about your hubbys accident and glad to hear he is on the mend (and excuse my whining about EQC when you've had life and death worries!) x
Ohh exciting to make a start! but oh the frustration! I feel your pain! I had so much trouble with my last quilting effort... luckily it was a small project so the end was always in sight! My problem is getting the tension right on both sides... a bit hit and miss... I hope you get the machine sorted soon xx
ReplyDeleteI love the happy colours of your quilt! I still haven't tried a proper quilt. Maybe this year's the year... Sharing your money frustrations too! The question my husband most often asks when we need something is 'Where is the money going to come from?' I'm sick of money. Let's go live on a commune and barter everything! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the colours of this quilt, a perfect summertime combination. I feel your frustration. My biggest issue when FMQ is with the thread breaking - is it just me or is cotton thread just too weak?
ReplyDeleteThis is looking great! I'm impressed with your FMQ, I can't do it well without a frame.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried a larger needle, or maybe a sharper one? I did a batik quilt a while back and it was skipping stitches all over the place and driving me batty. I googled it and one source suggested a larger needle. It worked for me! Good luck!
Oh how annoying! Have you tried a new needle? There could be so many things... I hope you get more sales with your patterns so you can get it fixed faster :)
ReplyDeleteOh frustrating! Hope that you can figure it out and get it working. It's such a lovely quilt!
ReplyDeleteThat is just the most beautiful quilt - love the colours. I've just done a post on me starting to sew and have asked readers what are the essentials for a sewing kit. What would you recommend? x
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear your machine is having issues. I hope a speedy solution is found. Your quilt is beautiful. Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteWhen my machine skips stitches, the first thing I do is change the needle to a new one and this has always fixed the problem for me. Fingers crossed the solution is an easy one and not an expensive service. I enquired about a service a couple of months age...minimum $160!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a happy quilt and the quilting looks great too! Hopefully you can find a simple solution to your machine woes so you can finish the pretty quilt up!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear. Mine gets very angry at me if I try FMQ or try sewing over more than 3 layers of fabric. I also don't wish to spend any money on it as it misbehaves and there are so many other things that need money more and behave much better :) Luck!
ReplyDeleteCheck the needle size,rethread your machine,take bobbin out and put it back in,clean out bobbin area. Make sure your quilt is as much on the table as you can possibly get it or add an ironing board to level it all out. Don't give up! When finances are tight,it makes you more determined to fix that bugger yourself! lol Trust me I know. Hope things get MUCH better for you:)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great but I know it is frustrating when the machine doesn't play nice. Hopefully it gets better :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so frustrating! I hope things get better. The quilt looks bright and lovely though. :) Thanks for linking up to WIP Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteOh I feel you're pain aswell, all very good advice there, it sounds like the needle too.....or possibly tension. Definately try needle first before mucking around with tension though. I do have to adjust my tension when I free motion quilt ( recommended by place that serviced it ), and sometimes the thickness of the thread can affect it too.....goodluck x
ReplyDeleteI'm with those who suggest trying a different needle. It might also pay to change your thread. If I have thread breaking under free motion quilting, I use a 90/14 needle or sometimes even a 100/16. I also find that Aurifil 40-weight all-cotton thread or Isacord polyester thread (I often use Isacord in the top and Aurifil for the bobbin) work well for free-motion quilting. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHello I am visiting after receiving Cat's request for blocks. I hope you sort out your missed stitch issues. Have you lowered your feed dogs? Silly question I know. May be an issue with your jumping foot. You may like to go and visit Leah's site. She has an item here:
ReplyDeletehttp://freemotionquilting.blogspot.co.nz/2011/06/how-to-fit-your-free-motion-foot.html
about adjusting your foot if it is not behaving well.
Also tons of other information, I think if you poke around on her site you may find an answer.
Good Luck
Linda