first time quilting, walking foot trouble

7 years ago

I've been sewing for 14 years, mostly apparel and costuming. I decided to try quilting for the first time recently when I decided to make a baby blanket for a close friend as a gift. I did a lot of research (mostly with blogs and YouTube) bought my supplies and started on a test piece to get the hang of it. But it didn't come out right!
I'm having problems with my walking foot. It doesn't seem to be sewing any differently from regular foot: it's pushing my fabric on top and creating pin tucks at the corners. Can anyone guess what's going on?
Is my technique lacking?
Did I choose fabric that won't work with a walking foot? (double gauze 100% cotton, very soft, like a scarf)
Is the foot defective? The foot I bought is a "Bernina style" $25 foot from Amazon for my Bernina 330. the price seemed suspiciously low to me, since all my feet have been around $100 so far, and it's not made by Bernina -- but it was the only walking foot I found on Amazon and I was in a hurry to start. I usually go to the Bernina dealer for these things, but that's an hour drive each way and I didn't have time.

any thoughts appreciated!

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Comments (4)

H B
7 years ago
IMO, double gauze is notorious for being difficult to handle; because it stretches, its extremely challenging to keep it even, particularly when you have layers such as a quilt. I don't have experience with a walking foot, but its supposed to take care of those types of issues (obviously its not working in your situation). I have a Pfaff and its got a mechanism that pulls down from the main body of the machine, in the back, and hooks on to the back of the regular foot that helps in the same way as a walking foot. Sorry not to have solutions to offer.
susanzone5 (NY)
7 years ago
Lighten up the presser foot pressure and increase the stitch length. You're sewing through a thicker pile of fiber.
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vasutx (storiedquilts.com)
7 years ago
It sure looks as though you are sewing with a regular foot. Have you "installed" the walking foot correctly? There should be pictures and videos on how to use it. You can post a picture of your machine w/ the foot here as well. My walking foot has a lever that rests on the needle knob which is what allows the top to move in sync with the bottom feed dogs.

I haven't used double gauze for quilts but it should not be a problem. Try a small sandwich with two pieces of cotton and batting in between to make sure your walking foot is OK.

What kind of batting/filling are you using?

Vasu
latifolia
7 years ago
Thought the same as Vasu. I have the Bernina walking foot, so can’t speak to the generic. However, make sure the u-shaped thing on the right is around the needle bar. It is very easy to have it above or below, but it must be around the bar to “walk”.

Second is basting. All the layers of the quilt need to be held together by basting spray glue, pins, or thread. Thin cotton batting is less shifty; thick polyester is the worst. Start in the middle and work out, including on the diagonal.