Originally Posted by MadQuilter
Originally Posted by GrannieAnnie
Okay, what about those of us who can't draw any better than a kindergartner?
1. Try drawing the design on paper or with your hand on the table top. That simple repetitive motion creates a muscle memory so when you try it on the machine, your brain will help guide your hands in the same pattern.
2. Instead of working on a full quilt to start, use scraps or blocks. That way you can focus on the technique and give yourself permission to mess up. When you feel confident on the test piece THEN move on to the quilt.
3. To me, the answer to the original question lies in the term itself "Free" - as in, the fabric moves without being constricted by the feed dogs, and "Motion" - as in the fabric is being moved by the hand of the quilter in a pattern. The pattern is not that important because it can range from stippling to meandering, to well- designed patterns.
4. To learn more FMQ patterns check out Leah Day's website. She is developing a quilt-pattern for each day of the year and she works in 6" squares.
Free motion stick men might tend to be embarrassing.
Good advice otherwise. Thanks