Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A Word on FMQ

#fmqbeginner
You may recall this post where I was trying to FMQ a quilt and having problems because of skipped stitches?  Well, I unpicked all of that quilting and just recently decided to give it another go.  Unfortunately, I am still experiencing skipped stitches on this quilt, and it was driving me mad.  Was it ME or was it the spray basting I used?
Messy truth
Backstitch
See what I mean?  What a mess!  I tried and tried...and no matter what speed, what size, what stitch length, what needle, god forbid that it be my Tough Lady (!)...well no changes worked!  It mostly happened on/near seams and some of the skips were so huge that I just started backstitching over them...  I was going crazy and there is no way I am ripping everything out again.  But, I still had doubts.  Was this being caused by my inexperience with FMQ or by the spray basting?
So...I decided to stop my quilting the spray basted quilt and grabbed a fabric I've been saving to make a whole cloth pillow for my husband.  I used a plain off white backing so that I could scrutinize the quilting.  Lo and behold...no skipped stitches!#fmqbeginner Love this design!
Practice
This was without pins or spray...just front, wadding, and backing smoothed out lain together.  Obviously my FMQ can still use some improvement but I love these loops because their lack of uniformity is organic and forgiving.
I've decided to keep sewing the spray basted quilt and managing the skipped stitches as best as possible.  Life's too short, I just don't have time to completely start over, unpick, wash etc.  It'll always serve as a reminder of this experience!
Now back to my loops...

- rebecca lynne

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd say it's the spray baste :( the same thing happened to me with spray basting things. Someone gave me a link about it that explained it can be when the spray baste is too thick in parts. I also was given a tip to iron the quilt once basted to "set" the glue. It helped a little.



Lori said...

I use to spray baste all my quilts and never had this problem. I am not saying it couldn't be that. I wonder if you did a 10 x 10 sandwich that is spray basted just for a test. I am totally curious about this.

pennydog said...

I've only ever had this problem when my machine has been too loose on the tension or my needle was a bit rubbish. I've even had rubbish brand new needles. I hope it's not the spray baste. Good for you to keep going, I'd have done the same, it's not that bad :)

Gina said...

I've had this happen to me too. But, I've never spray basted. I found that if I went slowly over the seams it was better and didn't skip nearly as much. Hope you have solved your problem, I'll keep researching mine!

Ella said...

I've had the problem with expensive variegated thread. Lots of skipped stitches and broken threads. That was with pins!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Have you tried a different type of needle? It must be a pain to get all those skipped stitches when you know you can do it so beautifully on a plain piece of fabric...

Barbe said...

i had the same thought as the previous comment, have you changed your needle. that was one of the things i noticed when i was having a bunch of issues re fmq. i changed to the longer size and it stopped that goofy thing where it was picking up the thread and skipping. its funny how just a slight change be it thread or batting or spray, totally f's it up. lol drives me crazy. and another thing to with these 'computerized' sewing machines, i find 'rebooting' it helps it sometime to correct itself. good luck

Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD said...

Hi Rebecca, I sell Berninas and also teach fmq and skipped stitches are often down to how you thread the bobbin case. Does the 'finger' on your bobbin case have a hole in it like the eye of a needle? If it does then you need to thread the bobbin holder as normal and then put the thread through this hole before putting the bobbin holder in your machine.

This hole in the bobbin finger is for detailed embroidery work such as decorative and satin stitches and also for when you're sewing fast - it helps prevent skipped stitches.

Unfortunately I'm not experienced with top loading bobbins so can't help if your machine is one of those. :D

Jennifer Thomas said...

Very interesting! I've never encountered that problem with spray basting. Maybe it was the brand of basting spray? I do love that stuff, but I'm quilting on a frame now, so no more spray. I think your loops look lovely, BTW! Have a super day!

lmno said...

Wow. You did these loops on the Juki? Good job. I cannot get anywhere your uniform shapes.

Canadian Abroad said...

Can't believe the spray baste has such an effect. Totally sucks because it is so much nicer fmqing without worrying about pins - because I am soooo good at sewing pins!

Leanne said...

Yet another reason to avoid spraying glue on one's quilt.

Karen H said...

I have a 7700 and am considering purchasing a Juki TL2010. I'm going to test one out on Friday. All the reviews I've read have been very positive but this issue of skipped stitches is giving me pause especially if you say it happens on or near seams. Have you tried quilting a piece over seams without spray basting and did you still have the problem?