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Machine quilting with Viking Emerald 118

by Maybeth
(Stratford, CT)

Once the feed dogs are down, must you use a walking presser foot, or can you just use an all-purpose foot?

This beginning quilter wants to know!

Reply

Hi Maybeth!

When using a walking foot on your sewing machine, you'll want to have your feed dogs in the 'up' position. The feed dogs beneath the throat plate work in coordination with the feed dogs on the bottom of your walking or even feed foot to pull the quilt sandwich through your sewing machine. This coordination is what keeps your stitch length even...in fact this is what allows you to set the stitch length for your quilting stitches.

Now with the feed dogs down, you'll want to use a darning or hopping foot and not a regular, everyday presser foot.

With your FD down AND your presser foot in the down position, you need to be able to freely move your quilt sandwich around.

This is the opposite of when you sew.

It all comes down to the fact that with free motion quilting, you're creating the stitch length by how fast or slow you move your hands and how hard you press on the foot pedal.

The trade-off for learning to do this extra work is you can move the quilt in any direction at anytime. This reduces the numbers of starts and stops and the work of securing your stitches each time--either hand knotting and burying the thread tail or using micro stitches.

To the right is a picture of my favorite type of free motion quilting foot...with an open toe--so you can see where the needle is piercing the fabric...and an offset shank--so you can more easily see where you are going. Though these are simple modifications to my original quilting foot, they make the quilting so much more enjoyable! I strongly recommend that if you don't already have a quilting foot with these features that you purchase one if you like to free motion quilt.

Once you're comfortable with the technique, free motion quilting increases your productivity. I use free motion quilting for my ditch quilting now...it's simply faster and easier--and more relaxing--than using the walking foot.

I hope this has cleared things up for you, Maybeth. Thank you for your question.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Editor

PS I humbly apologize for the length of time it took to respond to your question. There was a problem with my host and I am trying desperately to get caught up now with a large backlog of questions that suddenly appeared.

Comments for Machine quilting with Viking Emerald 118

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Machine quilting with Viking Emerald 118
by: RSusan

My sis gave me her 118 and I was excited to have a newer machine for my piecing and quilting. Although is good to okay for most of my home sewing and piecing, I soon found that not so good for quilting. I've managed to use some of my older Kenmore attachments, neither of the generic walking feet work (lots of scary clanking!). After reading some of the pressure foot suggestions, I will try again. It's either that or the old Kenmore's.

Emerald 118
by: Shirley

Although it says not for the emerald series the spring-loaded free-motion does actually fit it. I phoned the shop where I purchased frim as I thought it was the wrong one and they assured me it would fit which it does. I think Husqvarna needs to sort out their advertising as I was like most people thinking I could not get a free motion foot for my 118.

emerald 118 presser feet
by: rkr62948

I have found that low shank presser feet will fit pretty universally for low shank machines and high shank feet for high shank machines. There is even an adapter so high shank can be used on low shank. The one exception I have found is walking feet. I have 3 of those from over the years and some fit one machine better than others. The point being do not feel limited to a brand for your presser feet options. generic will almost always work.

Emerald 118
by: Annie

I have had the same problem finding pressure feet for the Emerald 118. I just bought mine in January.

This being a simple machine you would think it would be easy to find feet. I did just read yesterday that it’s being discontinued along with the 116 and another one. So I figure if it’s hard now it’s going to be even worse now. I have also found that it’s hard to find any useful information on the 118.

I wish now I had bought one of the complicated ones.

I’m teaching myself to quilt so I wanted a simple one. I thought it would be easier for me to learn the basics before moving on. I’m thankful the place where I bought it will do trade ins.

I was reading up on the darning foot and that’s how I found your question regarding pressure feet.

Everyone Stay Safe

Annie

From the Editor: Glad to have you here, Annie! Thank you for sharing. Your experience should be a consideration for others when buying a sewing machine.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird

Free Motion Quilting Foot
by: Payne

I have a Husqvarna Viking Emerald 118, I have tried for almost a year now to find a darning foot, open toe foot, free motion foot anything to do free motion quilting with my Emerald 118, I have contacted my dealers multiple times and can’t find the correct foot.

Do you have any advice?

From the Editor: The only other alternative would be either to find a dealer with a used 118 sitting or generic feet. To purchase a generic foot you'll need to know what type of shank you have on the machine. High, low or snap-on. This information will be in your instruction manual.

Also, a Viking dealer should be able to point you to the correct generic models for your machine.

I hope this helps.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird

Darning/free motion foot
by: Bonni

Where do you get darning/free motion foot for Emerald 118? When I look online, they all say NOT for Emerald series or Emerald 118. I find the same thing trying to find an even feed foot.

Any suggestions?

The nearest Viking dealer is 100 miles away!

From the Editor: Call the dealer. They will be able to give you the best advice for the foot and then have them mail it to you.

I agree. 100 miles is a heck of a long way to go for a foot.

~ Julie

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