have you tried "quilt as you go" method?? I was feeling the same way as you (except the perfectionist part ) because I would have to send mine out to a LA and I really could not afford it. There is a QAYG method called "fun and done" and I like that. You can quilt your designs on a regular machine.

I find this is so true! I do think about how I'm going to quilt it, even before I start piecing, and all the way through the piecing process. While I'm making the quilt, I will be looking at pics of quilting, and books, and YouTube, and even drawing out ideas because the quilting has to suit the quilt. I usually try to decide which is the "star" of each quilt- the fabrics, the pattern, or the quilting. That helps me a lot.

I have ruined two quilts while trying to quilt it on my home sewing machine. If I had to do that all the time, I would never quilt again. I send all my large quilts out to a LAQ and always happy with the way they turn out. I don't feel bad about it as I don't like the sandwiching part, at all. So, if I don't like it, I don't do it. This is supposed to be fun.

I have only recently started learning machine quilting. I usually have my quilting done by a long-armer. But I am working on smaller projects now and learning to machine quilt on my DSM. I don't have much of a space so smaller projects are best for now. I haven't taken a class on it, though they are offered in LQSs around me. I would like to sign up for one to get my feet wet. I just finished a lap size top for me and a larger top that I plan to donate or give to someone (not keeping it because I don't like the colors). My friend who has done some large bed quilts on her DSM is urging me to try it on mine. Not too sure I want to do that big of a project though. Maybe watching the video someone suggested will give me the oomph I need.

suzyquilter
 

I agree with others that answered you. It takes LOTS of practice. I did buy myself a good machine with a large throat area. I made the sales person in the shop roll up a king size quilt to make sure it would fit so I could quilt any size. My other tips are set up tables around your sewing area so the quilt does not fall over the sides. That pulls and can really mess with tension. When I quilt a large piece I know my sewing room will be tight until I'm finished. Good luck.

While I admire the work done on a longarm, I don't think it is the be all, end all, if you know what I mean. I kind of enjoy the simple quilting such as stitch in the ditch too. I find it very fulfilling to have done the entire quilt by myself. I tried some FMQ on my last baby quilt and it wasn't too bad, just will take time!

My FMQ is not good, but I feel confidant that it will be good ... eventually; I am of the opinion that if others can do it, so can I. I have a nice machine/table set-up dedicated only to that and will practice a lot when I have some current WIPs completed and out of the way. I neither like nor dislike to hand quilt, but I do it; I always have at least one hand quilting WIP. I have quilted by machine (not FMQ) designs that required me to tie and bury the thread ends, which is annoying, but effective, with a much quicker end result than quilting by hand; of course, I can only do this with straight stitching (such as grids) or wavy (such as vines and ribbons). In fact I do whatever is necessary to have my quilts done by me, from start to finish. It's just how I am and not advice for anyone else. As a matter of fact, I think the LA quilters who do such a fabulous job of quilting the quilt tops sent to them deserve a big round of applause.

You are me...or were...So much so that it has been 3 years since I started machine quilting...and I finally last night "got it"...and I only have domestic machines...I will say that I did just get the Janome Horizon 7700 machine...mainly for the 11" throat space and the fact that it will do more than just the straight stitch that my Brother PQ-1500 does...that being said, I must say the 1st time I tried fmq (just a simple meander stipple) with my Janome, it was way different than on my other machines...thread didn't pull, needle didn't break, no birds nesting or thread bunching...after 3 years I really almost fell out of the chair that it went as well as it did...Now I am certainly not saying that it was the machine that made it better...as operator error surely covers a lot of what I do...lol...but I can tell a big difference in the fmq with this machine.
Also, have you checked out Leah Day's website? She only quilts on a domestic...has stated several times she does not want a la...which is certainly a preference thing (in my case it is also a $$$$ thing....;), I did good to finally be able to purchase my Janome). Leah also has tons of videos, and fmq designs all free...check out her site and see what you think..
http://daystyledesigns.com/
Good luck,
Kif

I quilted about 150 quilts on my Bernina short arm before it died (3 years old!!!) I have access to a LA, but my body says no. You can FMQ even a king sized quilt on a regular machine, just to a small area at a time. I now have a Janome and could do almost anything, but my arthritic shoulder objects. If you can't afford the $ or space for a LA, just do what you can. Remember, you can quilt even a king sized quilt as 4 smaller pieces.

Marti Michel has a great book in which she breaks down machine quilting into quilting just a part of it a a time. You can either plan ahead and do a sort of quilt as you go - or finish your top and backing, sandwich it and then remove the outer thirds of the batting, so you don't have to wrestle with the entire batting while you're quilting.You quilt the center third first. It REALLY makes a difference. It's a piece of cake to reattach the batting and finish quilting the outer thirds after you finish the center third.