jillmc

I have been practicing FMQ and most of it looks barely fair. When you started, did you take a class? I am a visual "learner"...are there any good online videos? I have watched several on YouTube, but they make it look so easy! This book sounds good...Beginner's Guide to Free-Motion Quilting by Natalia Bonner....help!

Trisher

Try Leah Day's class(es) on Craftsy. She is so gentle and patient. I would try (using muslin and inexpensive batting) her 'Free Motion Fillers I' first. The trick is simply practice, practice and more practice! Make yourself lots of muslin quilt sandwiches!

Joset

no lessons here they told me how to set it up and practice practice and that is all i did. it would be nice
to take lessons but we live in a really small town and no one around to teach fmq.

tj

Leah day's is the best for learning FMQ http://www.daystyledesigns.com/365fillerdesignmain.htm

Stitchnripper

All above great suggestions. It really takes LOTS of practice, and then some. You will find your own method of what is comfortable, regarding, rolling, bunching, etc. Like Trisher said, practice, practice, and more practice.

Tartan

What kind of FMQ do you like? I love Leah Day but don't like my quilts so densely quilted. If I use her designs I increase the size. Take a look at her website to get an idea of her style. If you want more open designs to put in each block, there are paper patterns to stitch through by machine. There are lots of stencils you can buy that have designs you can transfer to your quilt top with a pounce or water erasable markers. I tend to FMQ using the block design seams myself.

Holice

Yes a class will help. However, it depends on the teacher and the style.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

FMQ is like riding a bike. It's very hard to explain exactly how to do it. You have to listen to all the advice and just keep trying. Just like riding a bike, one day it will click and you will be able to do it. You may never be fancy stunt rider, but you'll get around town just fine.

mighty

There are many methods of marking your quilt which are a great help. Class would certainly be good, and practice, practice, practice.

jillmc

thank you for the encouragement! i have been watching Leah and practicing for hours! And ya know what? Once I followed her advice to RELAX and unclench my jaw, my quilting looks MUCH better! I have an overachiever complex, and i think I should be able to FMQ after a short time, and should be able to do feathers, etc. Huh. Reality check. My meandering and loopy loops look much better, and considering I am using bright green thread on muslin, its not too bad for a beginner!