Ditto on all these wonderful suggestions!
I've only taken one class on FMQ and the instructor had us bring to class 12 practice sandwiches made from inexpensive muslin. Muslin and a little darker thread so we could see our stitching. Once there, we drew a 1" grid with blue pen on several of the squares. We also learned how to draw a diamond grid on a couple of others.
Then she started with a basic orange peel design so we learned how to go from one square to the next across a row and then back to the beginning and down to the next row.
Next exercise was to add a little loop in the middle of each arc. Each design after that was variations on the original orange peel, but the premise was that we learn on a small scale....1 little square at a time that can be as elaborate/quilted as we want. Those 1" squares can then be translated into any size to fill backgrounds, borders, etc. Basically like eating an elephant one bite at a time.
My own best tip is to sit back and take a deep breath every now and then.
Originally Posted by hopetoquilt
I am assuming you are teaching FMQ on a DSM...
setting up your space. (table to the left and behind your sewing table to deal with weight of quilt.
trying different darning feet (open vs. closed, hopping vs. not hopping)
using different thread,
using machingers
basting spray vs. pinning (large pins vs small pins), when to remove pins
different methods for marking the quilt
what needle to use in the machine
If you want to imress the class, have multiple pictures and very short films demonstrating different techniques. Discuss specific brands and how/where to purchase. Make it easy on people to try new techniques and products.
perhaps ask people to show up with a specified number of blocks that are pinned (tell them to use their ugly fabric) to practice on during the class. Once people try, they will have questions.
It would be kinda fun if you had a few fat quarters to give away as prizes during class for things like...
first person to stump you with a question, first person to "travel" correctly, answering multiple choice questions about FMQ. Makes it more interactive which makes it more fun.
Have people choose from a book of pictures of techniques a specific pattern that they want demonstrated.
I wished I lived closer. I am determined to develop great FMQ techniques