3
key elements
Extension Table
for the
PFAFF Passport 3.0
to successful
free motion quilting
PFAFF
Passport 3.0
PFAFF Passport
3.0 with the spring
action free motion
foot attached
The tension dial
on the
PFAFF Passport 3.0
is easy to use.
A great picture illustrating proper tension.
QUILTsocial
.com
| issue 6
My passport to free motion
quilting
I want to have the charity
quilt I'm working on finished
quickly, so I really need to
finish the FMQ in one day
so I can get the binding on
the next. I believe there are
3 key elements to successful
free motion quilting on any
domestic sewing machine.
I have yet to meet another
quilter who doesn’t want
to improve her free motion
quilting skills. I not only
want to get better at it, I
have wonderful fantasies of
actually becoming good at
it and merging those skills
into exquisite works of thread
painting!
There's only one thing holding
me back - and that’s me. I
need to practice, and practice
some more, and quit beating
myself up over my free
motion quilting. So with my
PFAFF Passport 3.0 ready to
help me achieve my fantasy,
let’s get started.
1. Have a flat surface luckily I have an extension
table that was made for my
PFAFF Passport 3.0. It slips
on and off easily, giving me
a great work surface with
really good visibility.
2. A good quilting foot
is essential - I prefer the
spring action type of foot
like you see below. This is
an optional accessory for
my PFAFF Passport 3.0 but
worth it’s weight in gold
for free motion quilting.
26
3. TEST, TEST and TEST your
tension.
I can’t say enough about this
step! It doesn’t matter how
good you are or how artistic you
are in your quilting! If you don’t
have a good quality stitch then
it doesn’t matter if you have
perfect FMQ feathers or pebbles,
the stitches won’t hold up in the
long run.
The tension is so easy to adjust
on the PFAFF Passport 3.0 that
it’s a dream to do free motion
quilting on it. Just adjust the dial
until you find the tension that's
right for your quilt.
The weight of your fabric,
batting and thread could all
affect your tension, so always,
and I mean always, run a small
sample through your machine.
Don’t be intimidated by
adjusting your tension. Once
you figured out the correct
tension settings through testing
you'll be amazed at your results.
Rule of thumb: If you see top
thread showing on the bottom
your top tension is too loose,
if you see bobbin thread
showing on the top your top
tension is too tight.
I’ve run my tension tests,
lowered my feed dogs and
now it’s time to actually start
the quilting. 3 key elements to
successful free motion quilting
are very helpful in achieving my
mission. I really will be ready for
the binding tomorrow. Another
great day in my sewing room.