Thread: FMQ tips needed
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Old 02-23-2019, 06:54 AM
  #9  
Stitchnripper
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,681
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I suggest Leah Day first. She is slow and methodical. I learned a lot from her. Now that I am further along, I love Angela Walters but she goes a little fast on the FMQ.

You can give the Coats and Clark a try and see if you like the way it works. I use all kinds of threads on my machine- even serger cones. It is a Brother PQ1500, straight stitch. Leah Day uses Isacord polyester for all her FMQ. I don't think there is one right way for everyone. Just start doing it on a practice piece and see how it goes. it does take a fair amount of practice. None of my machines has ever had a tension issue.

I am one that doodling or muscle memory has not worked. I can do a FMQ motif after a lot of sewing practice better than if I drew it out a thousand times. One is moving the pen and one is moving the fabric. You may like this practice but if you don't, you aren't alone.

I've tried all kinds of gloves, rings, pads, etc and it always comes back to Machingers for me. There are some knock off brands on eBay that work well too at a fraction of the price.

I have given up on sliders. I don't think they add much for me. My machine is set into a small table with an ironing board behind it, level, and a table on the left, level, to support the quilt.

Try your machine with and without the feed dog cover. When I used a machine that didn't drop feed dogs, and I had no cover, I just set the stitch length to zero and had good success. Sometimes I forget to drop the feed dogs on my machine now, and don't see a difference. I like a top stitch needle. You may have to play around with different needles.

Just remember to relax, try different threads, gloves, etc. There is not just one right way. The best way is the one that works for you. And practice, practice, practice. And then practice more!!! Good luck and keep us posted.
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