Originally Posted by MadQuilter
Sorry you are having such a hard time. I took an 8-week course for FMQ and we used the book "Machine Quilting Made Easy" by Maureen Noble. She has lots of exercises in the book and they certainly help you figure out your machine. All I can say is give it a try and use 12-15" pieces for practice. That way you can focus on the technique NOT the quilt.
I started using a vinyl sheet on the machine to help cut down static build-up. It is worth the expense to me.
Good luck.
Just wanted to echo Mad's recommendation of this book. Buy it, read it from cover to cover and practice the exercises in it. I did and now my FMQ (on my Janome) is good. I do have the blue dot case but can FMQ with the supplied one, ditto the needle plate. A sew slip mat helps too. The needle size depends on the thread you're using as does the tension setting required. Experiment with different threads and settings on practice sandwiches and make notes of what works best. I spent hours doing this when learning to FMQ, then PRACTICED!!! There's no magic involved or even (I believe) innate skill - just got to work at it. Get that book, it's well worth the investment. I still refer to it now - lots of advice about needles and threads too.
:-D