Utter Newbie
08-26-2012, 11:31 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1
Utter Newbie
Hi,
I have been sewing for years but have only just discovered quilting. Well, I can sew squares and shapes together but I have only just discovered free-hand and modern quilting.
I tried it today with my Pfaff 1548 and I SUCK!
Obviously, it takes practice and I will practice but I am really bad.
It seems like it's not slidey enough ... I guess I am trying to run before I can crawl ;-)
Any links, suggestions, advice very much appreciated.
(I have just bought Modern Quilting and Angela Watson's book - Tula Pink to arrive)
I have been sewing for years but have only just discovered quilting. Well, I can sew squares and shapes together but I have only just discovered free-hand and modern quilting.
I tried it today with my Pfaff 1548 and I SUCK!
Obviously, it takes practice and I will practice but I am really bad.
It seems like it's not slidey enough ... I guess I am trying to run before I can crawl ;-)
Any links, suggestions, advice very much appreciated.
(I have just bought Modern Quilting and Angela Watson's book - Tula Pink to arrive)
08-26-2012, 03:22 PM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Asheville, previously Lake Vermilion, Tarpon Springs, Duluth, St Paul, Soudan
Posts: 1,651
It takes a lot of practice to do FMQ on a domestic machine. The machine needs to go faster than you think and your hands need to go slower; I still basically suck at it. You here is a gadget called a Super Slider that makes it easier. And I think everyone finds it easier to go one way (right v left, up v down) than the other. Just keep trying. Leah Day has an amazing website on FMQ.
08-26-2012, 04:01 PM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Methow Valley in Washington State
Posts: 205
A warm welcome from North Central Washington! I purchased the Super Slide and a pair of gloves (from tips from Leah Day's site) and I still needs tons of practice since I am a newbie quilter, too.
08-26-2012, 05:22 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Knot Merrill, Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,781
Hi and welcome.
FMQ does not come overnight!!! It takes patience, and a LOT of practice.
Gloves with rubber tipped fingers help you grip the fabric to move it easier.
Use as flat a surface as possible - if your machine doesn't drop into a table, then purchase or make an extension so that you have at least 15" or so to the left of the machine.
Practice on small pieces - 9" or so - to get the feel of it, learn the moves, practice speed changes around curves - etc. Make dozens of practice sandwiches to get the "muscle memory" down for each FMQ pattern you try.
Relax when sewing - make sure your shoulders are relaxed and not hunched.
BREATH - I know it sounds dumb, but it's easy to hold your breath while FMQ'ing. Don't forget to breath.
Keep practicing!!!
FMQ does not come overnight!!! It takes patience, and a LOT of practice.
Gloves with rubber tipped fingers help you grip the fabric to move it easier.
Use as flat a surface as possible - if your machine doesn't drop into a table, then purchase or make an extension so that you have at least 15" or so to the left of the machine.
Practice on small pieces - 9" or so - to get the feel of it, learn the moves, practice speed changes around curves - etc. Make dozens of practice sandwiches to get the "muscle memory" down for each FMQ pattern you try.
Relax when sewing - make sure your shoulders are relaxed and not hunched.
BREATH - I know it sounds dumb, but it's easy to hold your breath while FMQ'ing. Don't forget to breath.
Keep practicing!!!
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