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FMQ - I now know why I failed Art Class in Kingergarten

FMQ - I now know why I failed Art Class in Kingergarten

Old 03-18-2011, 12:30 PM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by pheasantduster
I just had to chuckle reading your topic title. I failed Art Class in my freshman class in high school but excelled in sewing class.(truth I had been sewing long before going to high school). My teacher taught both classes and thought I was two different people!
Originally Posted by pamkasperi
Ok bought the FMQ piece for my machine...while a couple of hours is not an exhibition in patience....uh I STINK at this....I will keep trying because I don't give up on stuff but man oh man am I glad the FMQ piece only cost $11.00 for when I realize a 3 year could do better than me!
LOL at both of you.
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Old 03-18-2011, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jljack
Despite all the encouraging comments here ( :thumbup: ), I have to admit that I, too, have no drawing skills either. I find FQM to be extremely challenging, even after 3 years of doing it on my shortarm machine on a frame, which should make it so much easier. I get all tied up in knots, my stitches are so uneven and the design looks like it was done by a 3 year old.

I am best suited for SID, my own swirly loopy meandering, or edge-to-edge pantograph. Anything else is just beyond my abilities...I don't have that kind of artistic ability.

I feel for you....we should start a club...The Unable to FMQ Quilters!! :-)
I think that I would be well qualified to join your club:)
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Old 03-18-2011, 04:18 PM
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I hear you and feel the same way about my FMQ! Ugh! I think it's so hard and others are so gifted at it! What do they know that we don't? :?
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Old 03-18-2011, 04:24 PM
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When I first tried FMQ, I broke several needles. Took the machine in for a checkup. You guessed it - there was nothing wrong with the machine. Apparently I was trying to move the fabric when the needle was down or just as the needle was entering the fabric. I became more careful about when I moved the fabric. Plus I was sewing too slow. Once I went faster, everything went smoother. A tip that I read somewhere. Always have a practice piece around and quilt on that for a few minutes before starting on the "real thing". It takes a few minutes to get back into the groove and get smooth flow in you quilting. This tip applies to hand quilting too. Just keep practicing and you will get better.
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Old 03-18-2011, 04:39 PM
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I knew I could get good at it someday, and it's today! I just didn't realize it. I've been meandering all around my office all week! Now if I could just get that good when I go to the sewing machine.
Originally Posted by Kappy
Originally Posted by pamkasperi
Originally Posted by Kappy
But I want to be good RIGHT NOW, she said stamping her foot in frustration. Years??? seriously?????, I could be dead by then!!! And if even God put's me in stippling 101 I AM going to cry!
Kappy - I know the feeling - I want it to be good and perfect right now....so what am I doing? on the message boards instead of practicing!!
Good news, I've got meandering down pat. I meander out to the kitchen to get some coffee, I meander through my house that should get cleaned, I meander past my sewing machine and right back here to the good old computer! This meandering thing is easier than I thought!
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Old 03-18-2011, 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by pamkasperi
...I'm not taking back the not so nice words I said upon each broken needle!
No one will ever tell you to take back those words... I've made a few new ones up, too :oops:

Originally Posted by pamkasperi
I'm playing in-between cups of coffee....its looking a little better - I know can draw as well as a 6 year old but this will take practice....
Add a little wine to that coffee (or rum, or whatever) and it'll keep looking better and better! :shock: Keep going, practice - practice - practice
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Old 03-18-2011, 04:46 PM
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You only 'failed' in kindergarten because the 'art police' were out and about...don't take any notice of the fmq police either. Try quilter Cindy Needham's technique of just scribbling everywhere when she quilts. (She even crosses over lines).
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Old 03-18-2011, 06:20 PM
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I can't draw a stickman but I seem to have stiples mastered. Circles are impossible for me at this point. I figure if I just keep to one pattern at a time until I get it looking right, then I can move on to another pattern.
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Old 03-18-2011, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by GGinMcKinney
Once I got the hang of the tension, pressure & speed the eyelashes went away and I became more concerned with design. I couldn't follow a line with FMQ so I practiced by stitching names of folks I love. We already know how to write and that involves shapes that are in quilt designs. Open up an "i" stitch an "o", a "t" that is not crossed. All these seemed to help me. When I got ready for designs I made what I call a wonky flower on a floral quilt top. 5 open i's in a wonky circle large as the space called for and then smaller i's inside those. Well, it suited me. I am not an artist either so decided to intentionally allow myself to make wonky designs and stitch folks names into the top if I know who it is going to.
Hey! That helps me! What a great way to think about making those shapes. I need to print this. Can I send you a PM to get more tips like this?
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Old 03-18-2011, 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by pamkasperi
Ok bought the FMQ piece for my machine...while a couple of hours is not an exhibition in patience....uh I STINK at this....I will keep trying because I don't give up on stuff but man oh man am I glad the FMQ piece only cost $11.00 for when I realize a 3 year could do better than me!
Dear I was told when I bought my Long arm to put some music that I liked on an move to the music it seems to help loosen you up if your really tight an nervice.They also say if you can dance you can FMQ.I hope this helps.Dizzy
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