I am just pining up a five year old UFO and I really want it to have a nice stitch pattern so I was think of using a darning foot but I have only used a walking foot! My question is, should I go for the darning foot and hope for the best, is there one stitch pattern easier than the other to do? Or should I just straight line it and be happy a finished it and possibly add something more at a later date when I am more experienced? All input is greatly appreciated.

If you really want a pattern then I wouldn't just straight stitch - you won't be happy with it.

As 'they' say, practice, practice, practice. You have to take the plunge sometime & this would be a good day to dive in. (brrrrr...)

FMQ requires a lot of practice to get timing right so your stitch length will be consistent. I started out real "jerky" and uneven but over time it has gotten better. Just practice. The easiest designs are loops or meandering, which is the only one I can say I even come close to mastering. Just practice and have some fun with it. Take a class or get a book if you can.

Go for it!

Thank you! I am just going to go for it... why not? LOL, I practiced and I am sure it will be okay not great but I don't think it will be bad! So, here goes nothing!

I just FMQed my first project, which was a mug rug, a couple of nights ago. I think I held my breath the ENTIRE time, and was weak-kneed by the time I finished it from being so tense and nervous. I noticed myself sticking my tongue out the entire time as well, moving it around in loops as if that would help my quilting any.

Lo and behold, my loops (couldn't get a meandering stipple smooth enough) looked just fine. Good luck and enjoy the rush of trying something new (and remarkably liberating)!