MadQuilter

I think Leah Day uses the smaller pieces to practice and perfect her designs. I'm still not there - I still don't even suck yet (no matter what the size) lol

littlehud

I would use larger pieces and when you are done practicing with them just finish the edge and donate them to your local animal shelter. The dogs and cats love them.

Friendly Quilter

When I teach classes inthe FMG I always have my students start with a single piece of material. This way you can get use to moving your material around in a even manner. You will also get a tempo or speed that is best for you. then draw some flowers and feathers, some loop or leaves on your practice material and learn to follow the line. Then practice your meandering, everyone meanders differently so you just come up with your method. Then when you get use to doing the machine quilting, you practice with the three layers. The hardest thing about free fourm quilting on your machine is getting your rythum down. I hope this helps you.

nativetexan

oh , sew some of the six inch blocks together!! then fmq them.

Katia

It really is true that you just have to practice. And it is so frustrating. I started with a smallish sandwich about 6 inches by 18 inches. Then I made a bigger one. I worked on those till I thought I had it down somewhat. Then I decided that I was wasting a lot of thread, so I bought cute fabric to make a picnic quilt for my daughters. I made them about 44 " square. I figured that it was something they would throw on the ground and carry in their car, and would not care if the quilting was perfect. I get to practice and make something useful. I am now ready to bind my second picnic quilt for my other daughter and I am getting better. Not perfect yet, probably never will be.

I have sewn since I was a little girl and I must say that FMQ is the hardest thing I have ever tried to learn. But I am determined to get it down.

franie

Make it bigger than cut it up for something later.

craftybear

that is a good idea to make picnic quilts, thanks for sharing your idea with us

kwiltkrazy

I use a 9x9 to practice, and use insulbrite and make potholders, I hate waste. http://daystyledesigns.com is a great to learn all about fmq, and somewhat quilting in general. I also make small candle mats and wall hangings, I really enjoy it.

kwiltkrazy

Just remember to relax and enjoy yourself, it is only practice.