FMQ For Absolute Beginners
 

I recently inherited a quilting set-up after the previous owner lost interest (Grace "Gracie" Queen Frame & Juki TL2000Q). I am very much interested in learning free motion quilting. There are SO MANY options and teachers out there. For those of you who FMQ, what is your favorite book, blogger, or teacher you would recommend for a newbie such as myself? 😅

Can't help you with the Grace frame as I quilt on my old Kenmore, but totally envy you!!

I am a vintage collector and user myself! ❤️

I would recommend you google Leah Day. She has some intro videos on her site that will get you started.

You are SO LUCKY!!! :hunf: (Green with envy).

There are lots of good online instructors and books available. Angela Walters is great at teaching FMQ. However, most of the books and teachers end up doing a LOT of stitching... like you would see on show quilts. For me, it's overkill. I just want to get my quilts quilted, not smashed to smithereens by so much quilting. So I take their ideas and come up with hybrids of my own, that involve much less quilting.

The basic 'stipple' and 'loops' are the designs I use most. I have the JukiTL2010Q, but no frame. I just quilt on it like a regular machine. It takes practice to get nice fmq on your quilts. And to get used to how fast to move so your stitch length is good.

One thing I can tell you about the machine is that it's really great until lint builds up in the feed dogs, and then you will have lots of tension problems. To clean the feed dogs you have to remove the foot and unscrew the throat plate, which is a pain. Try and use thread with as little lint as possible so you wont have to do that cleaning as often. Mine goes haywire about every 2 bobbins of thread... but I was using a cotton thread that made a lot of lint. I'm experimenting with other threads right now to see if I can get less lint in the machine.

I agree with sewbizgirl. Just set up a quilt sandwich out of fabric you are not fond of and practice away. A simple meander to me is so much prettier than quilted stiff with close stitching. I have 3 machines and each machine does fmq different. The important part is to dive right in and learn your machine. Congrats on your new set up.

I agree. I have a Husqvarna Viking Mega Quilter on a Grace frame. I just practiced and practiced. usually meander and do loops and have learned a few other things. I don't like the close quilting. I want to be able to cuddle under my quilts.

I am a newbie to FMQ too but I have enjoyed some of Leah Days youtubes that are very basic. I would suggest going to youtube and just searching for beginner FMQ that will help you get some basic ideas and then you just have to put it to practice to develop your style.

COngratulations on the new machine and frame.

That's my issue with some of the FMQ tutorials I've watched. I am not so much interested in an "art project." Not that I dislike art quilts or modern quilts, but I am really just interested in making usable quilts right now. I consider myself an advanced beginner to quilting and piecing. When I was offered this set-up from a family member, I excitedly said, "HECK YES I'LL TAKE IT!" As we began the moving process, I immediately thought, "WHAT THE HECK HAVE I DONE?!" LOL

Thanks to all your responses! Do any of you have any books you would recommend? Or should I just stick with YouTube and jump in?? ��

First advice would be to check out both the Grace and Julie websites to see what information they have. They may have many useful videos and tips. Then check out some of the following people on YouTube :

Leah Day
Angela Waters
Amy Johnson
Lori Kennedy
Patsy Thompson
Linda Taylor
Cindy Needham
Christina Cameli
Anne Peterson


Then try some on your own
When you are ready look into the Craftsy classes and the iquilt classes on machine quilting. I've found most very helpful.