Thoughts on free motion quilting.......
 

First of all, I've got to get myself in gear here and get sewing. I do have an excuse why I haven't but anyway.......

It seems a lot a people have a problem doing FMQ'ing. For some reason I never did. I'm a 'lefty' but do a lot of things right handed so maybe that's why FMQ'ing comes easier to me...

Anyway, someone posted in the tips area about simply drawing a line on your quilt and then do squiggle FMQ'ing around that line. That process seems to help a lot of people.

I just read on the net this entry: http://www.longarmquiltingshow.com/e...uzanne-earley/ which outlines Suzanne Earley's technique of stitching a single meandering line which stabilizes the quilt and then going back to add flourishes to that line. Brilliant! Makes a lot of sense to me and hopefully will help others expand their FMQ'ing!

Suzanne's written two books on her method, both are out of print, but she has combined them and made the combined info available for purchase in pdf file format on her site: http://www.suzanneearley.net/

Hope this info helps someone. :)

Shari

thanks for the information. I'm trying to learn FMQ on my home machine and it is alot of fun but takes alot of practice and thread.

I am a LA quilter (since Nov.2010) and lean towards free motion quilting. However, I tend to stay with the same design; I guess that is due to 'muscle memory'? Anyway, thanks for sharing this info. It may help me venture out to do some new designs.

The reason I posted the above is that most newbies to FMQ have enough of a problem doing a motif and also determining where they are going (looking ahead on the quilt).

By using the method I posted above, the 'path' is already determined and all you have to do is determine what 'design' they want to use to 'fill the space'.

Again, hope it helps someone.

Shari

On my first fm quilt no one told me it was hard to do, so I just did it and It turned out good. After that I have not had any problems with it.

As my "expert" 13 year old granson says, "Grandma, just do it". (Yes, I live close to the NIKE headquarters)
I'm not nearly as good as he has become but I will quilt my own pieces that I am keeping.

I am currently using a thread that contrasts with my quilt, so I wouldn't want the extra line of stitching as it would show, but I can see where it might help to draw one on. This is my first all over meander. Usually I work block by block which I find easier.

Another great FMQ tip! Thanks. I have been so intimidated by this process, but in the past week or so have just gotten braver - that is, braver AFTER learning some basics here.

I just move the way I want to and it satisfies me, all I aim to please is me. I give away alot of my quilts. I just do a large stipple or meander, I loved it from the first time I tried it, I have gotten better at it. I don't try fancy, I'm not fond of that.

I am with Jingle, I love to make quilts, and I love to give them away, if it brightens someones day that is great. I am not a show quilter, I quilt on my short arm frame a nice meander which works well for me, if I was to struggle over a quilting design, I wouldn't get the next quilt made
Have a great day