lindaschipper

Many times I've thought about quitting and selling off ALL my quilting supplies. I've fussed and cried, and probably made up a few new choice words. My husband tells me to just walk away for a while, come back to it tomorrow. Sometimes he's right
( don't tell him) and other times I just have to muddle through it. I'll never master it completely, but for what I do...it's probably o.k.

Onebyone

What I did was start fmq and forgetting the rules. I let the machine and my hands quilt whatever, no set plan. I did this on all my grands utility/play quilts. After awhile I noticed I could make repeated motifs like hearts, loops, and stars without stress. When I first started I had lots of angles and stitch cross overs, I kept going not stressing over it. Now I can start at one end of the quilt and go to the other end with the same pattern. Not perfect enough to use contrasting quilting thread just yet but nice enough to pleased with the result.

BonnieJP

I have zero artistic drawing talent so FMQ was difficult for me. I bought a white board and practiced FMQ patterns on that before trying them on my sit down long arm. It helped build the muscle memory. I have found quilting loops to be a simple all over pattern because the loops can be different sizes, go in different directions, and I can get myself out of a corner by just looping out. Straight line quilting is also a great quilting method. Jacquie Gering's "Walk" book contains detailed instructions for lots of great quilt patterns to do with your walking foot.
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Karamarie

I love to FMQ. It's putting the three layers together getting it ready for quilting that I find challenging. I think you either like or dislike FMQ. We are all different. When I started I took some computer classes and one thing that was encouraged was to just practice doodling on paper and that seemed to help me. Good luck and if you don't enjoy it, don't do it.

juliasb

SewingSuz, you are not alone when it comes to FMQ. I always feel a bit jerky when it comes to the twist and turns. I have been practicing for years and still feel challenged. When that happens I go back to SITD and follow the patterns of the blocks. Usually that relieves my anxiety. I have Quilting Rulers that I have not used yet just because I am afraid of failure. Take a break from FMQ for a bit and come back to it when you are more comfortable.

Mazo

I’m also new to FMQ and have similar struggles with it. Mine is with the planning and because I’m an extremely slow sewer, I feel almost pressured by the FMQ because it just keeps going. I’m not good at knowing where I need to go next. What I’m hoping to try is to chalk some lines on my next quilt and actually put some thought into how I want the quilting to meld with the design of the quilt. I’ve found watching YouTube helps with ideas and what to practice to get better.

Cattitude

This is a tough one. I think most of us prefer piecing to quilting. Some cannot afford to ‘quilt by cheque’.....others want the satisfaction of completing the project from start to finish, particularly when gifting to family. I am a bit from column A, a lot from column B.

The reality is if it was easy and/or super enjoyable there wouldn’t be so many longarmers in business.

With practice my quilting skills have improved greatly. What hasn’t changed is the feeling that every minute spent on the quilting process is time I would rather be piecing.

Simple all-over designs such as meanders, swirls and loops (big loop fan here) are your friend. Small mistakes disappear into the quilting. Obvious mistakes I pick out but that doesn’t happen often. I get a top done and dusted in 4-6 hours but never in one sitting as it is too hard on my neck, back and shoulders. For special projects I take the time to custom quilt, including ruler work. This could be over 30 hours of quilting time.

Either way I do not enjoy the process and doubt I ever will. For now I will continue to quilt my own tops as I want to own the entire process.

Three Dog Night

I have taken many classes and watched many videos on YouTube but was never able to FMQ not even a simple meander or loopty loop. Then last year Bonnie Hunter on her blog promoted HollyAnne Knight's Free Motion Academy twice (spring & fall) and the second time it was close to my birthday and hubby didn't know what to get me so I suggested I enroll in her course. It was the best gift ever. I completed the course in December and learned 30 different motifs and now not only can I meander I can even do ribbon candy, feathers, swirls, switchbacks and more. The course is online and you work at your own pace and when life happens and you don't finish you just continue on in the next group. There is a facebook page for members where you can post pictures or ask questions and you will find that you have the support of every current or past member. The cost of the class is what you would spend to have a top quilted. Here is the link to her website https://www.stringandstory.com and you can find on facebook at Quilting Rockstars (a String & Story Community).

thimblebug6000

This past year I participated in Lori Kennedy's 25 week machine quilting online class. She has a few books out as well on it. She promotes doodling every day, and it really works. I made many samples and enjoyed it, however translating that into quilting a large quilt.... not so easy for me, and I use my walking foot more often than not.
Like everyone else has already said, practice is what will help you the most. Hope you can get to relax and enjoy it.

Stitchnripper

It is my favorite part of quilting although I am no pro. It takes a lot of practice to get comfortable with the process and to learn the quirks of the machine. Once you decide you really want to do it and are willing to practice my guess is you will be successful. I also don’t aspire to produce quilting that looks like it was made on a computerized long arm.