Holice

In reading the many posts about FMQ I get the impression that many view FMQ as meandering or creating the quilting design in a "free hand" way. Therefore assume one must have some artistic ability in order to do it - if beyond meandering.
This is not true. Free motion is when the machine is not dictating the design but the movement of one's hands make the pattern with feed dogs down allowing free motion of the hands.
There are many many quilting designs for more decorative quilting motifs. These are usually called "one line" quilting designs. They are designs to minimize the number of starts and stops in the design. Even traditional quilting designs can be done in the free motion technique. These designs are usually marked on the quilt and then FMQ.

erstan947

Thanks for the clarification. I was confused as to what was and what was not FMQ. I'm still stuck in the ditch.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Holice, I understand the definition. I've seen gorgeous one line quilting motifs, but so far my hands do not seem to want to move the fabric on the lines!! I'm practicing though and have gotten to the point my FMQ is passable for things like potholders.

sidmona

I know them as continuous line stencils. I use them for my free motion quilting and they work wonderfully.

msawicki64

I've done some free motion quilting but I also use stencils that have a design and follow the lines.