Jitterbug

I've joined recently,but long time lurked.I've hand quilted,but am about to start my adventure on machine quilting.(hoping this weekend on my sandwiches that's ready)I had used search here for long time for tips,advice,ect. for file to help me learn before I started.I recently lost file,and have been trying to use the search function to rebuild.Frustrated with it,but will continue to do so.I thought I'd ask this of all the quilters simply this: What advice,tips,tricks,hints,lessons learned that you personally wish you'd known as you began your journey into machine quilting/FMQ. Anything,and everything will be much appreciated,and maybe it can help others who are in the position I am...scared to death!LOL!Thanks.

SueSew

Practice, Patience and Persistence. You can read all the books and watch the videos but nothing compare to just sitting there messing with it. And after two years I am still doing just that. Good luck! I recently tried hand quilting and despite the great difficulty, at least it was easy to pull out the stitches I didn't like!

Dolphyngyrl

Mostly it just practice, and maintaining a good rythum, I learned moving the sandwich too fast= a lot of broken needles. I have learned that poly threads break a lot less. I have learned that if you practice one motif over and over by the end you will have ones that look a lot nicer. Gloves are a must for me. Have done without but I notice the difference immediately. Relax and enjoy it, thats the big part

quilts4charity

Make sure your quilt sandwich is pinned or glued together really well, I wore garden gloves with the little rubber dots to help me move the quilt, just jump in...I practiced on small charity quilts. RELAX and don't hunch your shoulders up...will give you a neck and back ache. Have since graduated to a longarm but will still do a small piece on the regular machine!

Prism99

Don't use pins in the quilt sandwich, if at all possible. I found that spray basting holds the layers together the best, although the newer Elmer's glue basting may work as well. Pins get in the way. You also do not want to thread baste if you are machine quilting.

The book by Harriet Hargrave on machine quilting was invaluable to me for tips and advice. The older editions can be fairly inexpensive on Amazon.

Allow yourself lots of practice time, and take breaks. You do not want your shoulders tensing up.

Gloves made specifically for machine quilting on a domestic sewing machine are ***very*** helpful. You can use garden gloves or something similar with grips on the palms, but the machiners gloves are much better -- they are not bulky, hug your hand, and allow your skin to breathe.

Make up a number of practice sandwiches using muslin or old fabrics you don't like and batting. I made mine about 16" square. Leave some plain to practice meandering. Others I used pencil or other marking pens to draw designs.

Keep a glass of wine handy -- great for loosening up!

ManiacQuilter2

I agree with a lot of what quilters have already posted. I actually was lucky enough to take a quilting class from Harriet Hargrave. I own her book and I refer to it when ever I have a question. She taught me to look ahead to where I am going, not where the needle is at the present. She also taught me to match the speed of the machine and then to move the fabric at the same pace that the sewing machine would do at that particular speed. It is just like riding a bike without the training wheels. I agree with what SewSew says....

pumpkinpatchquilter

Just do it!! My first attempt at free motion quilting was ten years ago - I had no idea what I was doing and nearly burned out the motor on my sewing machine!! But you know what? I loved what I did. So don't be afraid to be less than perfect - the more you play the better you'll get. So my advice is - just do it!!!

JackieQuilts

I agree with spray basting, use gloves, and just do it! Practice some first but then just jump in. The more you hesitate, the more anxiety about the process will build up. Remember, we are quilting because it's fun

Jitterbug

Thank you all for your advice and cheers of just do it! I appreciate it a lot.

Maureen NJ

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t-t220712.html

Lots of tips at this link.