Just tried my first attempt at FMC today (on a practice piece) What a disaster, how in the world do people do this. I don't think I will ever get this. I have the books too. Couldn't even do stippling

It's your first try! I'm still practicing. It isn't easy, but it does get better with time and effort!

You'll get better!! Keep practicing. Don't get discouraged. It's common to feel like it's a disaster. I sure did ---but you WILL get the hang of it. I'm really proud of you !!

I'm taking a FMQ class in March at my LQS...and from what I have been hearing am planning on lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of practice...and then lots more! :D

I have a hard time with stippling. You not only have to concentrate on moving the fabric at an even pace but where you're heading with your stitching. Try practicing some easy loops or curves to get your stitch length even. Once you feel good about that move on to the more challenging designs. I like to practice on plain muslin and mark a design to follow. That way I don't have to concentrate on too many things at once. I'm by no means an expert but these are some practice tips that have helped me.

I'll bet you didn't ride a bicycle perfectly the first time you tried that, either. :)

There's a lot to learn to coordinate all at one time! Stick with it! Practice!

Draw your designs over and over and over - use paper and pen or a dry erase board. Draw a design until you can almost do it with your eyes closed. Draw it until it's automatic and you can do it without even thinking about where to go next.

Do your FMQ on a practice sandwich. Just do straight lines, first. Then go to wavy lines, then lines which reverse direction. Start simple and when it's simple for you, go to the next step and stay there until it's simple for you, too. Have fun with it! :)

I've only been FMQing for about a year and stippling is the hardest thing to do. Start with something simpler like quilting alternate blocks and stitching the rest in the ditch or using a wavy zigzag all over.

Mostly..don't be discouraged with your first attempts

Diana

Don't be discouraged my first two pieces were sooo sad pleating on the back. Went right to a strip quilt and believe me tearing out stippling is NO fun. It does take practice. I am branching out in my designs from stippling and so far so good. Pin no farther than a handspan in any direction. Pin back of quilt tauntl to carpet if you have. Leave pinned until all safety pins are in then release from the carpet. Get a large artist pad and practice drawing. I'm no expert, but these things worked for me. The very hardest part for me is controlling the speed am still working on even stitching.

Lots of practice... Please don't give up... You will be comfortable with this before you know it, but it does take lot's of practice.

Tape a pencil/felt tip vertically to your machine , then practice moving paper around under the pencil as if you are fmq until you get the 'feel' of it, you have to get into the groove, finding your own speed, stick some music on, relax and go play!!

Oh and go slower when doing a curve or you end up with eyelashes underneath (ask me how I know that!!)

Big head, little neck, big head, little neck is what I used to chant as I was practising LOL :thumbup: