Originally Posted by
Holice
It is my belief that when fmq is discussed it refers to the domestic machine. I have never herd anyone say " how do I FMQ on my long arm as free motion is about the only way to use these machines ( with the exception of computer driven machines).
Longarm quilters have several options but they do call working on the front without computer as free motion. Longarm quilters also have the option of using rulers, and pantos. Just like with DSM quilting there is a learning curve and many start with meandering.
www.mqresource.com is a machine quilting forum that shows lots of pictures of machine quilting with discussion and support.
craftsy.com has quite a few machine quilting classes. I especially liked Cindy Needham's.
On QNNtv.com there is a quilting show called "Quilt It" with segments showing quilting on Handiquilter machines both the longarm and the sweet sixteen. I think the instructor on this month's videos made an interesting point. She tries to master something new on each quilt but certainly reuses her basic skills again and again.
I think each quilt differs and the amount of quilting is just one of the decisions.