I've completed a couple FMQing projects and they are just stippling. The others have been using a template and then quilting over the lines. I can tell you to relax when you're attempting to FMQ. The more rigid and stiff you are the more problems you may have. Practice, relax and enjoy it. It doesn't matter how many years someone has been doing this they still have bad days and nothing works correctly. I got ready to FMQ my 30's reproduction fabric quilt and it didn't matter what I tried nothing worked. I ripped out so many stitches that I finally threw up my hands and got out the hand quilting hoop. Don't give up....hang in there!!!
