I finally got up the nerve to attempt FMQ. When the stitches are very long, does that mean you are going too fast or too slow?

When the stitches are long that means you are moving the fabric too fast compared to the stitch speed. Right now mine are tiny long and few just right. Still trying to find the perfect combination.

I was taught "slow on the steering wheel, fast on the gas". Move the fabric slow and use a high speed on the machine. It takes a while to get even stitches, and sometimes I still don't, but it will come. Keep it up, post pictures.

thanks for the help! I will keep practicing. I love it!

Another quilter posted this link today on FMQ for beginners. It is an awesome tutorial. There are 4 parts. Please watch them all. They will really help you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39I5A...eature=related

Yes, those above tutorials are really great to watch and give you lots of good instructions. Also Leah Day's tutorials are wonderful. I bought a small dry erase board and practice the design that I think I will use to FMQ, do it over and over until it becomes engrained in my mind. I think it helps when FMQ. I'm still not very good but I like to keep practicing..

I have watched all of the youtube tutorials mentioned here. They are so informative. I have learned a lot from them. Even the practicing is so much fun!