Yesterday I dragged out my old Brother sewing machine to see if there was anyway I could get those dang feed dogs to go down but no such luck. So I proceeded to try and do some stitching on my small art quilt despite the fact that the presser foot was solid and I could not see what I was stitching at all. Well it didn't work out to well and I got a killer back ache but I loved the process of tracing around the drawing with stitch and it made me even more motivated to try to find a quilting machine with feed dogs that drop within my almost nonexistent budget.
The sloppiness of my lines is testimony to the fact that the pressure foot was completely blocking the view of where I was trying to go with my stitching. Still I just couldn't make myself stop because I was really loving it.
This is the back side of the piece showing the tree outlines.
You need à darning foot, it has à kind of spring on it
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't really master if THE feed dogs are down or not.
It doesn't really matter if THE feed dogs are down or not
ReplyDeleteHi Marijke, For free motion quilting you need to lower the feed dogs on your sewing machine. My machine does not have that capability.
DeleteMy understanding is that you can tape over the feed dogs with masking tape. I have also read that you can decrease your stitch length to near zero. I must admit that I have been intimidated to try this and I applaud you for keeping it up. I actually like that the lines are not exactly in line with the tree branches. Take care of your back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana for the tips, I will try them out. Hoping I can find a machine more suitable to quilting soon.
DeleteIf you try hand-stitching, Linda, I'd love to see a close-up. I like the spaces between the stitches that suggest something ethereal. It is time-consuming, though, I admit, though much less so than tapestry weaving! When I get around to adding stitchery to my weavings, it won't be nearly as involved, and more free form. I love to embroider and like to experiment (made my grandmother crazy- my mother's mother, of the old school of needlework).
ReplyDeleteDayle Ann, after just a few stitches through all those layers and I am becoming aware that the Lyme arthritis in my hands is going to flare up too much for me to do much hand work. It is too bad really because I love to hand stitch.
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