Free motion quilting
09-16-2010, 07:54 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 997
Originally Posted by tortoisethreads
I also start at the center. My newer machine drops the feed, but my older singer has a special stitch plate that covers the feed dogs. So it depends on the machine. I started with practice "sandwiches" using scrap fabric or muslin.
09-17-2010, 06:12 AM
#12
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
start with something small to practice on! maybe a 15" square, sandwiched, basted then start in the center and work your way out in one direction, turn it and start again in the center working out in the other direction.
never attempt your first free motion quilting on a real quilt top...it takes some practice to get the hang of moving it around. practice, practice, practice.
never attempt your first free motion quilting on a real quilt top...it takes some practice to get the hang of moving it around. practice, practice, practice.
09-17-2010, 04:26 PM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,351
If you can't drop the feed dogs on your machine and it didn't come with a plate to cover them, you can tape an index card over them AFTER you cut a hole in it large enough to accommodate the needle and in the appropriate place.
Sue
Sue
09-18-2010, 04:48 AM
#14
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: In Hiding
Posts: 1,210
Originally Posted by GrammaNan
Originally Posted by watterstide
i start in the center and work my way out..this way the fabric can be sort of smoothed to the outside as you go.
there are so many short videos out there on u-tube, and other quilt sites..to help you.
remember to:
breathe
drop you feed dogs
breathe
practice!
:thumbup:
there are so many short videos out there on u-tube, and other quilt sites..to help you.
remember to:
breathe
drop you feed dogs
breathe
practice!
:thumbup:
this is my advice too.
09-22-2010, 06:18 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 1,920
If you stabilize your project by stitching in the ditch in both directions between the blocks, you can start in the corner or wherever you want. Once you have stabilized, check the back and look for those folds and correct before starting within a block. If you do not like the blocks stitched, use the thread that washes away once the permanent quilting is completed.
I always do a dry run on a scrap sandwich to make sure my machine stitches do not need adjusting. Suz
I always do a dry run on a scrap sandwich to make sure my machine stitches do not need adjusting. Suz
09-22-2010, 08:33 PM
#16
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,326
It depends on what kind of design I'm doing. If it's an all over random pattern, then yes I start in the middle.
But if it's based on echoing a foundation line, then I "draw" the line across the area first, then do the echo lines.
For all kinds of ideas, check out Leah Day's blog at
www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com
It's a great site for FMQ ideas and techniques.
But if it's based on echoing a foundation line, then I "draw" the line across the area first, then do the echo lines.
For all kinds of ideas, check out Leah Day's blog at
www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com
It's a great site for FMQ ideas and techniques.
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