I cannot FMQ very good!
03-20-2021, 02:41 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,726
Try to write your name in cursive. You have the muscle memory in your brain to form the letters so you won't have to think what direction to go. I took a class at a quilt shop and this is what the teacher had us start with. First we wrote our name on paper. Next we placed our hands on the paper and moved the paper in the direction the letters are formed as if we were writing. Last we wrote our name on the fabric using the needle as the pen and moving the fabric in the direction the letters are formed when writing on paper.
03-20-2021, 02:49 AM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,237
You are not alone! I have taken classes both in person and online and have practiced a lot. I still find free motion very stressful. And no fun! So I have decided that, when a quilt merits curves, I will "quilt by check" and let someone else longarm it. I quilt with my walking foot and feel a lot less stress about it. And the quilts come out unique and good, too. When I want a little embellishing, I do some hand quilting.
03-20-2021, 03:36 AM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington, MA
Posts: 1,169
Perhaps you might try quilting with rulers. I never got past stippling until I discovered the rulers. Take a look at sewsteady.com as they have lots of videos to explain the process. There are other sites that have rulers too, but I have bought from sewsteady and it worked out well for me. Also, I have used the quilt-as-you-go technique to reduce the size of the quilt sandwich that I have to move around. Good luck!
03-20-2021, 04:13 AM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Boothbay Maine
Posts: 9,518
Suz, I think many of us have felt the same way...I have committed myself to doodling a couple times a week and sticking to the designs I feel comfortable with. I get frustrated mostly with feathers but I’m not gonna give up.
03-20-2021, 04:20 AM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
FMQ takes lots and lots and lots of practice, just keep practicing and you'll eventually see the difference. I can do a decent meander and loop de loops, but that's about it, but I've been practicing for years. There are some people that have a "gift" of fmq, and can do fantastic quilting without practicing, I'm not one of those. There are some things that make it easier though, 1. is your machine level with the table that you're quilting on? Do you wear gloves with grippy dots on, to help grab the quilt? Or even Caley's solution for moving the fabric, I'm sorry I don't have a link for her solution, but she's on the Board. I also spray a fabric friendly silicone spray over my quilting table, but you have to be careful and not get overspray on the floor if you have something other than carpet, because you might end up on the floor. I don't know if it would do the same on carpet. You can also try a suspension system, which can be found on the net. I"m going to be putting a suspension system up hopefully sometime this week, if my dh is feeling better.
03-20-2021, 04:20 AM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,963
I know what that feels like. I build up about 10-12 tops till I have to quilt them. Once I start back to FMQ, the first ones are terrible. By the time I make it to the last ones, it's pretty good. I will never be someone who loves the quilting part. Some people do. Just remember, done is better than undone. Quilting holds it together. That's all.
