kellen46

I also use a 1500pq for my quilting. that extra two inches makes all the difference and the thread cutter is nice as well.

penski

i use my regular kenm ore sewing machine to FMQ mine , i just do it in sections, but i am saving for the HQ sweet 16 sit down quilting machine

Delilah

I recently finished quilting a very large, 108"x108", quilt on a Janone with a 9" throat. I did feathers, echoing, SID, flowers, vines, and more, mostly FMQ. It was tough doing the very center because I had to scrunch so much under the machine but it worked. It has taken me some time to get to this point and I started on projects that didn't mean a lot to me. The first one was one of my SIL's and the work was hideous. She gave it to a granddaughter and noone really cares how it looks. Start with small projects and simple designs and before you know it you'll be surprised at what you can do. BTW I do NOT use gloves or rubber tips or other aids to move the fabric, I use glycerine. A couple drops on your fingertips will give you all the friction you need to move your project and there is no harm to your fabric and your skin will love the glycerine. Any drug store will have a lifetime supply for $5 or less.

Delilah

I recently finished quilting one that is 108"x108" on my Janone with a 9" throat using SID, feathers, echoing, flowers, vines, and more, mostly FMQ. It was tough doing the center because I had to scrunch so much under the machine. My first attempt was hideous but with practice, patience, and determination I am very happy with my efforts. Start with small projects using simple designs and before you know it you will be very surprised with the results. Not to mention the amount of satisfaction you will feel. BTW, I do NOT use gloves, rubber tips, or other aids to move the fabric, I use glycerine. A couple drops on your fingertips will give you all the friction you need to move your project, the glycerine is not harmful to your fabric and your skin will love the stuff. Any drug store will sell you a lifetime supply for $5 or less.[ATTACH=CONFIG]326278[/ATTACH]

carolynjo

I just finished quilting a queen on my 55 year old Singer 401A. It was hard, but by having a table in front and one on the side I did just fine. It was slow going and my arms were sore, but I am pleased with the results.

LivelyLady

That's how I'm learning too. Leah Day takes the fear out of FMQ and I love her techniques!

quiltnmore

I was told to make sample 12" squares and practice. I first tried a baby quilt by going around the design. Then after more practice I bought an embroidery machine and made a quilt with the quilt designs in the squares (I was not confident yet and didn't believe in myself). Now after many quilts I now either do large stippling or follow a stencil marked on the quilt. My own work looks much better than that time-consuming embroidery/quilting. I still do embroidery on quilt squares, but they are just embroidery and I quilt it myself.

Try it on scraps, take a class, or practice with a friend. You can do free motion quilting!

IAmCatOwned

I've quilted all but one quilt on my home machine. It does take a learning curve. My first freeform quilting - I chose a tree skirt since I only have to look at it for about a month a year. Others do baby quilts that they give away. Practice first on a few potholders and then move on to your quilt. If you just can't bring yourself to do it on your large quilt, use a thick batt and tie it. I prefer using wool yarn (Cascade is perfect).

Lori S

One method that can be helpful is to add the batting to the sandwich in sections as you progress, so you do not have so much to fit under the arm of a domestic machine.

stampinteresa

LoriS, Not sure I get the picture of adding batting in sections. Please explain for us newbies. Thanks, Teresa