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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: LoveSewin
Date: 07-17-2006, 11:31 PM (1 of 17)
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Hi All, I haven't used my darning foot for free motion sewing in a while and am having a hard time getting it work again! It's a universal foot, so the directions aren't in my manual. I've remembered to put down the feed dogs, but when I sew, the stitches aren't catching. Not very productive! http://www.sewingonline.co.uk/feet/universal/darningfootnew.html I've attached a link as to what the foot looks like. I am pretty sure the bar goes behind the 'needle screw' (if that's what it called). I tried it the other way, but the foot sat crooked then. All I can say is HELP! TIA Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 07-20-2006, 08:57 PM (2 of 17)
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Hey Kim! I have a darning foot that is similar to yours. I put the bar behind the screw on the side, then on my machine I have to put my feed dogs in a dropped position, and I put it into darning mode rather than sewing mode. I have a little push bar beside my bobbin that pushed right does darning, and left is sewing. Does that help any??? Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Skye
Date: 07-21-2006, 12:05 AM (3 of 17)
Make sure you have you foot lever down - ask me how I know 
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User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 07-21-2006, 12:33 PM (4 of 17)
Thank you both.... I did have the feed dogs down, and the lever foot down  I am going to go and try it again. I'll rethread it all, just in case. At least I know I have the bar in the right spot - I was pretty sure, but couldn't remember. I'll let you know how it goes! Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
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From: bridesmom
Date: 07-22-2006, 03:43 PM (5 of 17)
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I've discovered that when I figure out how to do something, I write a little note in a book, then when I go to do it again, I just have to go find the note, makes it way easier than trying to remember what the heck I did.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 07-23-2006, 11:32 AM (6 of 17)
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Great idea Laura. It would probably save me lots of time in the future. I tried the darning foot and it's in the right position, but I am having other issues. I bought jean thread to try and freehand an initial on a fleece blanket. I am usuing a top stitch needle, because I needed a needle with a larger eye. I tried a denim needle, but it wouldn't fit in my machine. The top stitch needle works great on woven fabric, but on the fleece the stitches don't catch. Any suggestions? Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
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From: Dede
Date: 07-23-2006, 12:15 PM (7 of 17)
| I think the thread is your problem. Try it with regular or cotton thread and a quilting needle. |
User: Dede
Member since: 03-23-2001 Total posts: 469 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 07-23-2006, 02:28 PM (8 of 17)
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I was trying the thicker thread so it would show on the fleece....
Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
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From: MariLynntex
Date: 07-23-2006, 02:44 PM (9 of 17)
| This can be maddening sometimes. Have you tried putting a layer of Solvy or other watersoluble film on top of the fleece before stitching? That usually works for me. MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 07-23-2006, 03:06 PM (10 of 17)
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Kim, Try putting a stabilizer under the fabric. That should correct the problem. It would also help if the fabric were hooped. Fleece is hard to hoop so you might try using the new style that just sits on top of the fabric.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 07-24-2006, 01:32 PM (11 of 17)
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I was wondering if a tear away stabalizer would have done the trick. I will have to try next time - I ran out of time to complete the project (have to mail it!), so I ended up appliquing a fleece letter on it. I will experiment for next time. Thanks for the suggestions. Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
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From: bridesmom
Date: 07-24-2006, 07:59 PM (12 of 17)
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I have also found with wanting topstitching done and not being able to find the right thread, I've used quilting thread which is heavier, and I've also used 2 regular threads in the top needle, both with regular thread in the bobbin. I have found the topstitching thread too thick lots of times and get loops on the bottom even with adjusting my tension.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: NDNQuilter
Date: 07-25-2006, 12:45 PM (13 of 17)
| What the difference in darning and regular feet? Maybe that's why I have trouble machine quilting. Thanks, Gena |
User: NDNQuilter
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 90 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-25-2006, 10:11 PM (14 of 17)
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Gena go to the top of the page and click on the link lovesewin posted. It's a picture of her darning/free motion foot. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 07-25-2006, 10:52 PM (15 of 17)
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I have also found with wanting topstitching done and not being able to find the right thread, I've used quilting thread which is heavier, and I've also used 2 regular threads in the top needle, both with regular thread in the bobbin. I have found the topstitching thread too thick lots of times and get loops on the bottom even with adjusting my tension. I'll try tomorrow and post up about it. I wish I got loops, at least the stitches would be catching! Right now I sew and sew, but nothing stays!  I think the stabalizer is the key....
Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
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From: NDNQuilter
Date: 07-26-2006, 01:58 AM (16 of 17)
| Thanks Patsy, I do have one of those. Since I'm usually a hand sewer I'm not sure what it's purpose is and how it works. I've been trying to use a viking prelude machine my sister bought me 3 yrs. ago. I took it out of the box about a month or 2 ago. She can't believe I have never opened it until now. She wouldn't do any hand work if there's a machine near. Gena |
User: NDNQuilter
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 90 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-26-2006, 11:15 AM (17 of 17)
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Gena that particular foot (different machines have different shapes, but they do the same thing) is primarily used for free motion embroidery and/or quilting. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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