free motion quilting
#1
free motion quilting
I am working up courage to free motion quilt a small quilt but I'm not sure what or how to do it. Is there a tutorial that I watch to see how to do it. I only have a regular sewing machine, no long arm. any help would be appreciated.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Put together practice pieces and practice before you do your quilt. There are lots of tutorials, videos to watch. Practice on small pieces first. Placemats are a good size. You need a ( hopping foot) sometimes called a darning foot, sometimes it's good to just draw some easy, flowing lines on a practice piece and practice following the lines. As you become comfortable manipulating the fabric you can do more designs. Start drawing on paper to ( set) the design in your brain. Don't expect perfection from the start, it takes practice.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,029
Start simple..... I started with stipling because that really doesn't have a very large chance for error. I agree practicing by drawing your design on paper can help.
One thing is don't try to move too fast. And realize that it just takes practice. No one was perfect their first few times (or even more)!
One thing is don't try to move too fast. And realize that it just takes practice. No one was perfect their first few times (or even more)!
#9
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
When I first started FMQ, I picked a design I already could draw freehand (stars and loops) Designs that had a stopping point allowed me to rest and reposition my hands. If you have needle down function on your machine it is very helpful. Needle down allows you to keep the sandwich in position while you rest. Machinger gloves or similar really help to move the sandwich. If you can see your machine speed to medium it helps also. You will need a darning or FMQ foot. I like to lower my feed dogs but some like them up.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
It does take some practice to FMQ. Try making a small sample marking curling lines. You want to have a speed that you can feel and know at that speed the machine would normally move the fabric. You need to train your eye to look forward to where the next couple of stitches will be. I am sure there are plenty of U-tube videos to watch.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hockeyrabbit
Main
65
07-14-2010 03:56 PM