Free motion quilting: Darning foot doesn't work

by Sharon
(Riceville, TN)

I just got a foot to do free arm quilting on my Janome sewing machine. I am having trouble getting it to work.

I have set it on the darning setting and dropped the feed dogs, but I can't seem to get it to take more than one stitch at a time.

I am very frustrated!

Sharon

Reply

First double check that the foot you were sold is indeed the one for your machine.

That's pretty elementary, but for my Viking D1 the part numbers are really long and everything has a code instead of clearly labelled machine models that the foot works on. The store clerk could have easily grabbed the wrong presser foot by mistake.

Tips for installing your presser foot...

...so that it works properly.

Is the arm in the proper position?

From your description of the problem, check to see that the arm of the free motion foot is on top of the needle clamp screw on the right hand side of the needle.

That way the foot rises up along with the needle bar.

If that arm is under the needle screw it can't go anywhere. And in fact it will cram the foot down onto your quilt sandwich so that you can't move it to make a stitch.

Is the needle clamp screw long enough?

When I buy my free motion quilting feet (yes, I have worn several out) they come with a longer screw so that there's room for the arm. I leave the longer one in all the time because there's no functional reason to switch back and forth between screws.

Does your machine require certain 'free motion quilting' selections?

Finally, if this is your first free motion quilting, check your manual to see if there are any 'free motion quilting' selections to make on your particular model.

Both 'Free Motion Quilting' and 'Q sensor foot' must be selected before I begin free motion quilting on my Viking D1. Your Janome may have similar requirements.

A good sewing machine dealer is a helpful dealer...

If none of these suggestions work, then take the machine and the foot back to where you bought them (if you can) and ask them to show you how to install the foot properly. If they are a good dealer, they want satisfied customers and should be happy to assist.

I hope this helps to solve your problem. It is so frustrating when you are ready to quilt and your machine just won't cooperate!

Readers, especially if you have a Janome machine, please share your suggestions by using the 'Comments' link on this page. Thank you!

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Editor

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