How did you learn how to free motion quilt?
#15
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 91
As a lady in my church used to say of the choir, "You practice and I'll pray". My only advice is to do it the best way for you. Don't get caught up in what some say you MUST do and CANNOT do. There are some absolutely fabulous tutorials but don't get discouraged if it isn't working for you right away. Try a different approach. Doodling the pattern and dropping the feed dogs never worked for me but others have absolute success with them. As others have said practicing on muslin sandwiches is a great trainer!! Just stick with it and keep trying until you find the right 'rhythm' for you.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 1,120
I tend to think of FMQ as being like driving and turning the steering wheel. Moving the fabric faster on tight curves. I also use my elbow to turn the outer portion of the quilt as I go. If the quilt gets stuck on the table edge, you can't keep up a smooth motion so you do have to keep repositioning the bulk. I never used a pattern for stippling. Just make it up as I go along. Have used a simple drawing on tissue paper to make a figure or write a name.
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,131
Yes, it is a lot of practicing. But what you want to be able to do is move the fabric at the same rate of speed the machine does and be able to know when you are at that speed. That way you get even consistent stitches. I can hear when my Bernina is at a certain speed and since I am familiar with the rate of movement the machine moves the fabric, I am able to FMQ. You may find it easier to follow a line without having to think which way you are going to have to move the fabric. Just one less thing to think about until your skills improve. Good Luck. Find a local shelter and make some quilts for dogs to sleep on. They won't be too critical of your stitch length.
#18
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,912
I took two classes for fmq from two of the best some years ago. Sharon Schamber and Diane Gaudynski. After learning the basics and how tos, it was practice, practice and more practice. I fmq all my quilts on a Brother 1500 or use a walking foot for geometric shapes. I'm happy with my machine quilting and that was my goal.
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