man, this FMQ thing is going so slow! and it's just a toddler quilt!! I keep messing up, my bobbin keeps messing up, etc etc. and I can only do this when the kids are awake and not fighting so I don't get much time. I want to finish this thing for my daughter!! will the special quilting fairies come tonight and finish this for me??? sorry just had to vent......

Try speeding up your speed, works for me. Keep at it, it gets easier with time.

this is my first FMQ attempt so I'm pretty slow. but I would be able to get this done quicker if I had more time. I can't work on it once the kids go to sleep because we have a small house and it's too loud! :( oh well one step at a time I guess!

Keep going Rymer!!

Can you move your sewing machine to a place away from where the kids sleep?

And I agree with going faster rather than slower. There's something about that that just makes it better. Try it on a scrap first to get the feel for it. Good luck!

thanks Ninnie!!!

normally I sew downstairs (we have a ranch w/ a finished basement) but since this is a quilt I need more space for it to lay out on then my sewing desk, so I have to sit at the dining room table. it's a bummer....I feel like if I brought it downstairs I'd have a lot of trouble moving the quilt around on the sewing machine since I have nothing to lay it on down there. I have half of it done, I'm hoping I can get the rest of it done by this weekend. "crosses fingers!"

Good luck on your quilt.

can you put some portable tables around your machine downstairs? Like card tables or small banquet tables?
How old are the kids? Mine used to like using the dining room table as a fort when my quilts were dangling over. Of course, you can make some additional draping for their benefit, like a big sheet or tablecloth, but it worked for me when they were little.
They also got used to the sound of the machine and my daughter actually found it lulled her to sleep, but I guess it depends upon the machine and how loud it is!
Good luck and hang in there!!
Lisa

Lisa, I love your idea of a 'fort' for the kids while you quilt!

I can't take credit for the idea. The kids thought it up, but once they did, they had a lot of "fort time"!! :-D
we have a two story house and my machine table sat under my daughter's bedroom. I was always afraid it was keeping her awake.
Eventually we renovated our house and I got a sewing room that was not under her bedroom. The first night I moved into the sewing room she came downstairs and exclaimed that she did not like the "new" house. When I asked why, she said she could not hear my sewing machine and she could not fall asleep. Now that she is 24 she still finds the hum of the machine relaxing and she is sewing at night when she has time after work. Must be genetic! :D

Just keep working with it. It will get easier as you get more practice. Have you tried quilting gloves. They make it easier to move the quilt.

thanks for all the tips ladies!! Usually I try sewing when they are asleep. I wouldn't dare try to do the fort thing because my son is way too into my business at this point (he's 2) he wants to play w/ the cords and stuff. ha ha. I will see what I can rig up downstairs because I can't stand to see this quilt sitting on the dining room table not being worked on! it's just a little toddler quilt and certainly not fancy, but my daughter wants it so bad. (who wouldn't, it has princess's on it! LOL) it's about half quilted now....so only 50% left! then I do the dreaded binding.....yikes.
cute story about the sewing machine lulling your daughter to sleep..that's cute.

I don't know where you live or I'd offer to do the binding for you...I kinda like the quietness of it. For me it's relaxing...AND it means the quilt is almost done and ready for the giving (or using!)

Just keep at it. You will get it done.