FMQ For Absolute Beginners
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,813
Congrats on your new toy! Just relax, and have fun. After all, it is just a machine!
I saw this video and got inspired. It really fires you up and shows that you CAN do it. http://karensquiltscrowscardinals.blogspot.com/
I saw this video and got inspired. It really fires you up and shows that you CAN do it. http://karensquiltscrowscardinals.blogspot.com/
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,847
I practiced on fat quarters. Then I turned those fat quarters into zipper pouches and gave them to friends and family. They didn't seem to mind that my quilting was less than perfect. I also keep muslin on hand to sandwich with batting scraps for warm up and practicing new designs.
Check out APQS tutorials on YouTube. There are lots of other videos there too if you do a search.
Check out APQS tutorials on YouTube. There are lots of other videos there too if you do a search.
Last edited by quiltsRfun; 03-13-2017 at 10:20 AM.
#14
Oops, I called her 'Angela Walters' and it's Waters, not Walters...
One thing that will help you more than anything with your movements is to get a doodle pad and draw the kinds of shapes and movements you like. Meander on a few sheets of doodle pad with a marker. In fact, before I try any new design I always doodle it out first to gain my confidence. There isn't a lot of time to think about where you are going next while FMQing, so practice by doodling to get your design set in your head and hands first.
One thing that will help you more than anything with your movements is to get a doodle pad and draw the kinds of shapes and movements you like. Meander on a few sheets of doodle pad with a marker. In fact, before I try any new design I always doodle it out first to gain my confidence. There isn't a lot of time to think about where you are going next while FMQing, so practice by doodling to get your design set in your head and hands first.
#15
#18
Tons of great advice and helpful hints here, I would add:
-Handiquilter has some great videos/tutorials and
- You can put a strip of newsprint or thick packing paper as if it was your quilt by taping it to the end arms of your frame. Then you can tape a marker to the area beside your needle and "practise" free motion quilting.
There is a device you can buy that is meant for similar practise but this is cheaper!
Here is the link to the device so you can get the general idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD6AErE386g
Good luck, and enjoy!
-Handiquilter has some great videos/tutorials and
- You can put a strip of newsprint or thick packing paper as if it was your quilt by taping it to the end arms of your frame. Then you can tape a marker to the area beside your needle and "practise" free motion quilting.
There is a device you can buy that is meant for similar practise but this is cheaper!
Here is the link to the device so you can get the general idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD6AErE386g
Good luck, and enjoy!
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 230
LOTS of good advice here!
I've found what works best for me was to watch as many of the videos as I could and then just practice, practice, practice. I had a lot of old shirts that I cut up and used those for my quilt sandwich to practice. I mostly do squiggles and I try to relax and I just don't care about being perfect cuz in the end no one is going to examine every stitch.
The main thing is to relax and take your time. I don't like to stitch too close so the quilting usually goes pretty fast.
Enjoy!
I've found what works best for me was to watch as many of the videos as I could and then just practice, practice, practice. I had a lot of old shirts that I cut up and used those for my quilt sandwich to practice. I mostly do squiggles and I try to relax and I just don't care about being perfect cuz in the end no one is going to examine every stitch.
The main thing is to relax and take your time. I don't like to stitch too close so the quilting usually goes pretty fast.
Enjoy!
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 568
First advice would be to check out both the Grace and Julie websites to see what information they have. They may have many useful videos and tips. Then check out some of the following people on YouTube :
Leah Day
Angela Waters
Amy Johnson
Lori Kennedy
Patsy Thompson
Linda Taylor
Cindy Needham
Christina Cameli
Anne Peterson
Then try some on your own
When you are ready look into the Craftsy classes and the iquilt classes on machine quilting. I've found most very helpful.
Leah Day
Angela Waters
Amy Johnson
Lori Kennedy
Patsy Thompson
Linda Taylor
Cindy Needham
Christina Cameli
Anne Peterson
Then try some on your own
When you are ready look into the Craftsy classes and the iquilt classes on machine quilting. I've found most very helpful.
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CorgiNole
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02-09-2012 08:57 AM