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New to freemotion embroidery Moving the hoop question
ellozz Advanced Beginner AK USA Member since 2004 Posts: 12	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/12 3:15 AM I have finally managed to practice for about an hour without snapping a needle. I am still not sure if I was going too fast or turning the hoop when the needle broke, but now I am scared of breaking another so need some advice...I have slowed down, and the zigzag stitch is going well, and I am practicing with the straight stitch. Do I have to move it up and down or left and right only also (this is what I am doing with the zigag stitch). Or can the straight stitch meander? (I have a Brother 6500, feed dogs down, not using the freemotion foot I have (clear plastic, small half-oval with a spring on the side), because I honestly think it was a lot of my problem. My material is hooped and tight, and I have interfacing). I really thought this would be fun but I found that snapping needles sounds horrible and the points fly at a rather high speed....I have a book by Lucille Merrill Graham that gives a lot of instruction, but all she says about direction is no u-turns, go left or right, up and down only, in the zigag section. Thanks!
seaside sewer Intermediate UNITED KINGDOM Member since 2009 Posts: 216	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/12 3:37 AM there is a lady called Alison Holt who has a video on youtube, that I think is worth watching. She does beautiful free motion embroidery on silk, making flowers and landscape pictures. Worth taking a look, at least. She, and many others, have books and DVDs you can buy and there are also lots of other videos on youtube that will help. Just go to youtube and search for free-motion embroidery. typo's [sigh] -- Edited on 1/20/12 3:38 AM -- ------ Bernina 440QE, 1008, 1150MDA, Brother QC1000, Juki TL98P, Janome Embellisher, Frister and Rossman Cub 7 [known as Kenmore 158 1060] Dream like you will live forever, Live like you'll die today Chocolate is for life, not just for Easter
ellozz Advanced Beginner AK USA Member since 2004 Posts: 12	Login to reply to this post In reply to seaside sewer Like this post Date: 1/20/12 4:24 AM Thanks, I checked out Alison Holt, and wow! She is amazing, isn't she? Too bad her Youtube videos were so short, I could just sit and watch her create! It seemed to me the zigzag was back and forth, up and down, while the straight stitch could go in any direction.
Clareew   Intermediate UNITED KINGDOM Member since 2006 Posts: 713	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/12 5:02 AM You can go in any direction with the zig zag too. Just remember machine speed fast and hands slow. I love the curving my Zig Zag stitch. I took a beginners on line class for FME, it gave me lots of confidence Free Motion course at Joggles -- Edited on 1/20/12 5:03 AM -- ------ Clare Machines: Juki F600, Juki 654 serger, Bernina 550 for art work, Janome Coverpro 1000cp barely used
ellozz Advanced Beginner AK USA Member since 2004 Posts: 12	Login to reply to this post In reply to Clareew Like this post Date: 1/20/12 5:59 AM Clareew, you can go in any direction with the zigzag? Hmm...did the Free Motion course at Joggles have a lot on technique...I will definitely check that out! Is the key then, to never rotate the hoop while stitching, but instead just move it around with your hands? I am really trying to figure out whether that was the problem when I broke the needle, or my free motion foot, which seemed to me to be not quite right when I used the zigzag. It just seems to be a little off..so I removed it. I am really wanting to get this! Thanks for all input!
seaside sewer Intermediate UNITED KINGDOM Member since 2009 Posts: 216	Login to reply to this post In reply to ellozz Like this post Date: 1/20/12 6:49 AM I have the Alison Holt DVD, and she doesn't seem to turn the hoop, just moves it up/down/sideways/diagonally. She also recommends NOT using any foot for free motion embroidery, just using the needle as a pencil. She uses what looks like a Bernina 1008, but could be an older similar model number. She says that dials are better than buttons on your machine. [easier to change stitch width for the zig-zag.]The DVD shows step by step how she does the stitches, too. Joggles is a really great site, btw ------ Bernina 440QE, 1008, 1150MDA, Brother QC1000, Juki TL98P, Janome Embellisher, Frister and Rossman Cub 7 [known as Kenmore 158 1060] Dream like you will live forever, Live like you'll die today Chocolate is for life, not just for Easter
SouthernStitch   Advanced USA Member since 2002 Posts: 5858	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/12 10:29 AM Let me also recommend Leah Day and her Freemotion Quilting Project Blog. Starting in January of this year, she is taking us on a beginner's journey of freemotion. Today's post is a general one, so if you scroll down, you will find the ones from the beginning of the month. She submits videos and all that. It's obvious she's put a tremendous amount of thought into this. She covers the brain, hand and foot working together and tips on improving that function, practical stuff, and even your emotions. I just love her! She is also encouraging newbies to send her their terrible first attempts so she can evaluate them and show how to correct the problems! Right now is an excellent time to start following her. -- Edited on 1/20/12 10:31 AM -- ------ Bernina 730E, 350PE Babylock Audrey Singer 201, 221FW Viking 6570 When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
quiltingwolf Advanced MD USA Member since 2002 Posts: 2864	Login to reply to this post In reply to SouthernStitch Like this post Date: 1/20/12 12:50 PM She is great I just read more of her website. So young and so talented. Her quilts are beautiful and I love the themes. And she's giving us a wealth of information for free. Her star will definity rise in the quilting world.
ellozz Advanced Beginner AK USA Member since 2004 Posts: 12	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/12 4:13 PM You are all awesome! Thank you so much for the help. I want so much to learn this but frankly the needle snapping is scary and I really don't want to repeat that. I will check out all of your recommendations, and if anyone has anymore ideas/tips, please post!
ellozz Advanced Beginner AK USA Member since 2004 Posts: 12	Login to reply to this post In reply to Clareew Like this post Date: 1/20/12 8:00 PM Clareew, I checked out the Free Motion course at Joggles, they aren't offering it at the moment but I put my name in to be notified when they do!

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