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I have also practiced with just paper and no thread in the needle. Drawn a pattern to follow if you want to learn to make flowers or feathers or a stipple or do without a pattern. The paper isn't the same feel as fabric sandwiched, but it shows you the stitches clearly and you can see if they are even and (if applicable) straight.
some will tell you to practice drawing a basic design on paper first to train your muscles/mind.....I just don't understand how that works, as drawing with a pencil is moving the pencil over the paper and fmq is moving the fabric under the needle - 2 entirely different things.
What I have done, is after you become more confident with basic designs, buy the tissue paper they sell by the roll and trace a design that is more complex. You can then pin/stick that tissue paper to your quilt and use it like a template - just sew on the lines. Since my mind isn't very creative, it works great for me. I also bought a book with tons of fmq/handquilting designs. If you are going to do many of the same design, cut the papers, trace one design, then stack them and pin together. Next sew the design - papers only - with no thread. You get practice sewing the design and can then use the other papers with just holes as a template too. The tissue paper pulls off very easy, sometimes aided by a spritz of water. The teeny tiny pieces that are hard to get will dissolve in the wash.
If you are creative and have good drawing skills you can use a washable marker (always test on a scrap first) and draw your designs directly onto the fabric. The lines will wash out leaving you with just your stitching.
Have fun with fmq! Don't start fmq on a quilt that you want to keep/show. Make lots of dog/cat beds....they don't care if your stitching is jerky or if your stitches are too long. Try lots of designs - you just don't know which design will be the one to "turn on your light bulb"....LOL
When I do FMQ I use Top Stitch needles. I have never have a broken needle, while FMQ.
Superior Thread education on needles; http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...e-right-needle
"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." -Confucius
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I'm a FMQ Basic Beginner too ... practicing and doing real things as I go!
JanTX ... re your #5 ... my suggestion is to raise your chair up or lower your machine. You'll find it'll be easier on your shoulders. My comfortable sewing height for regular sewing is at a different level than when FMQing. I've already learned the ergonomics for comfortable FMQing means that I need to raise my chair up to a higher level. All praises to adjustable chairs!
Some other bits and pieces I've picked up ....
1. Thread ... when practicing use contrasting thread, so you can get a better look at what you are doing right or wrong. When doing for "real" less contrast is better, as it helps to hide any faux-pas!
2. It's not a mistake if you do it more than once ... if you're FMQing and not intending to cross over the stitching, and then you do, then correct it by creating a new pattern where you do it again. Loop the loops? Flowers amidst stippling? etc. This was a hint from my LAQ when I was asking for her feedback on some of my practice work.
3. Press N Seal ... draw your pattern onto it, and press to your quilt, then FMQ along the pattern.
4. Practice before you start ... when I am ready to do a "keeper", I start with a smaller practice piece that I'll keep for myself. It may be a Mug Rug or a small table topper or pot holder. It helps me get the rhythm and flow and check I have the machine set up right. Can you tell I hate practice sandwiches? and prefer to have something that is practical?
5. Finer Threads ... help with the disappearing act for boo-boos!!
6. Adjustable Chair ... see above note to JanTX! It's worth the investment. I use a drafting chair ... it's lowest is the highest of a steno chair, so it gives me more height options.
7. Have FUN and as they say ... Don't sweat the small stuff!! .... Rome wasn't built in a day, and we're not going to be Master FMQers in an afternoon!
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Sew many ideas ... just sew little time!!
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I took a class recently and what I found most informative was
1. Needle size and type - Size 12 Topstich, this is for either a quilting machine on a frame or your everyday machine.
2. Thread size and type - good quality thread. For dense quilting, use thinner thread (100wt) use 40wt for wider quilting.
3. Mark your design on the quilt using a water soluable marking pen, go slow and be patient.
OMG !!! A glass of wine or two , you'd find me snoring and slobbering on my pillow. heheheOriginally Posted by Sylvie45
Stitching is Meditation in Motion
My first tip is to try quilting standing up. I find that I can quilt much longer this way without my shoulders and back stiffening up. I place my sewing machine on my cutting table and find that to be a very good height.
Second tip is to make an inexpensive styrofoam "surround" for the machine on the cutting table. There are some Youtube videos on how to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25v3ZTk0
Third tip is to arrange a table or ironing board to the left of your quilting area to hold part of the quilt. This really helps spread the weight of the quilt.
I've done meandering and stippling on various quilts, even tried some templates a couple of times. When I wanted to try some new patterns, I made baby burp cloths for our grandchildren having babies & practiced on them. They are useful & loved despite being practiced on & some were pretty bad!! I tried a star & kept forgetting where I was in the pattern! LOL! I sent them anyway..the kids didn't care! :-) Take the good with the bad & learn to laugh at your mistakes. It's not the end of the world!
Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply,Speak Kindly, Leave the rest to GOD
Such wonderful, practical ideas here! I'm bookmarking this one for sure.
Reading, cooking, sewing in retirement! Heaven!
I'm proud to say that I'm a member of the Quilt A Month Club for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative! www.alzquilts.org
I have a blog on QB now -- please drop in!
I am working on a quilt top right now that I plan to be my first quilting experience (I'm specifically making it a small lap size) so I can definately use all the advice posted here.
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