Learning Free Motion Quilting
09-02-2011, 02:17 PM
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
I'm getting some good thoughts here. Keep them going.
One thing I didn't mention is I only have 3 hrs per class.
So if you will think of the most important things which can be done in the 3 hrs.
One thing I didn't mention is I only have 3 hrs per class.
So if you will think of the most important things which can be done in the 3 hrs.
09-02-2011, 02:22 PM
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
This probably won't help in your case. I took mine at a quilting store that was also a dealer for several different machines. The gals who sold the machines came in and if you had a brand they sold, they showed you several settings (and feet) for your machine that you could try to see what worked for you. The class was small, only 6, so we got great individual instruction. Sounds stupid, but the instructor walking around saying 'slow down' or 'speed up' was pretty helpful. You read the books and they say fast foot, slow hands, but how fast??
09-02-2011, 02:29 PM
#13
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 2,135
When I did my class the teacher had us write our name with the machine as one of the first exercises. She said as it is something we are very familiar with we wouldn't have to try to work out which direction we should be going next. I found it really helpful just to get comfortable with speed and moving the fabric.
Also to breathe and relax your shoulders. I still find I hold my breath sometimes, but I am improving. :mrgreen:
Another thing that I have learned is that not all sewing machines FMQ with the feed dogs down. I had all sorts of trouble with tension with my Brother with them down, but it worked beautifully with them up. :?
Also to breathe and relax your shoulders. I still find I hold my breath sometimes, but I am improving. :mrgreen:
Another thing that I have learned is that not all sewing machines FMQ with the feed dogs down. I had all sorts of trouble with tension with my Brother with them down, but it worked beautifully with them up. :?
09-02-2011, 02:58 PM
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
Originally Posted by Melinda in Tulsa
Originally Posted by AlwaysQuilting
I can't give you any ideas but just wanted to say I wish I lived in your area and could be in your class!
09-03-2011, 05:04 AM
#18
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: iowa
Posts: 663
My teacher started us out by making a sandwich about 48 inches square. At the end of the class she suggested we cut off the unused portion and save it for "warm up". That gave me a place to start when I got home. She also asked us to
bring a pieced block so we could learn stitch in the ditch without taking class time to make a block, and we brought the manual for our machine. That came in handy!
bring a pieced block so we could learn stitch in the ditch without taking class time to make a block, and we brought the manual for our machine. That came in handy!
09-03-2011, 05:05 AM
#19
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,116
I think hints or exercises for getting the rhythm to make evenly consistent stitches. We all know that it is practice, however, a few good tips would help. I don't think you can practice that on a really small piece and I prefer my practice sandwiches to be about a metre in size and no smaller than half a metre. Such a shame the lessons are so far away.
09-03-2011, 05:24 AM
#20
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Where it's warm & sunny all the time :-)
Posts: 610
Ditto on all these wonderful suggestions!
I've only taken one class on FMQ and the instructor had us bring to class 12 practice sandwiches made from inexpensive muslin. Muslin and a little darker thread so we could see our stitching. Once there, we drew a 1" grid with blue pen on several of the squares. We also learned how to draw a diamond grid on a couple of others.
Then she started with a basic orange peel design so we learned how to go from one square to the next across a row and then back to the beginning and down to the next row.
Next exercise was to add a little loop in the middle of each arc. Each design after that was variations on the original orange peel, but the premise was that we learn on a small scale....1 little square at a time that can be as elaborate/quilted as we want. Those 1" squares can then be translated into any size to fill backgrounds, borders, etc. Basically like eating an elephant one bite at a time.
My own best tip is to sit back and take a deep breath every now and then.
I've only taken one class on FMQ and the instructor had us bring to class 12 practice sandwiches made from inexpensive muslin. Muslin and a little darker thread so we could see our stitching. Once there, we drew a 1" grid with blue pen on several of the squares. We also learned how to draw a diamond grid on a couple of others.
Then she started with a basic orange peel design so we learned how to go from one square to the next across a row and then back to the beginning and down to the next row.
Next exercise was to add a little loop in the middle of each arc. Each design after that was variations on the original orange peel, but the premise was that we learn on a small scale....1 little square at a time that can be as elaborate/quilted as we want. Those 1" squares can then be translated into any size to fill backgrounds, borders, etc. Basically like eating an elephant one bite at a time.
My own best tip is to sit back and take a deep breath every now and then.
Originally Posted by hopetoquilt
I am assuming you are teaching FMQ on a DSM...
setting up your space. (table to the left and behind your sewing table to deal with weight of quilt.
trying different darning feet (open vs. closed, hopping vs. not hopping)
using different thread,
using machingers
basting spray vs. pinning (large pins vs small pins), when to remove pins
different methods for marking the quilt
what needle to use in the machine
If you want to imress the class, have multiple pictures and very short films demonstrating different techniques. Discuss specific brands and how/where to purchase. Make it easy on people to try new techniques and products.
perhaps ask people to show up with a specified number of blocks that are pinned (tell them to use their ugly fabric) to practice on during the class. Once people try, they will have questions.
It would be kinda fun if you had a few fat quarters to give away as prizes during class for things like...
first person to stump you with a question, first person to "travel" correctly, answering multiple choice questions about FMQ. Makes it more interactive which makes it more fun.
Have people choose from a book of pictures of techniques a specific pattern that they want demonstrated.
I wished I lived closer. I am determined to develop great FMQ techniques
setting up your space. (table to the left and behind your sewing table to deal with weight of quilt.
trying different darning feet (open vs. closed, hopping vs. not hopping)
using different thread,
using machingers
basting spray vs. pinning (large pins vs small pins), when to remove pins
different methods for marking the quilt
what needle to use in the machine
If you want to imress the class, have multiple pictures and very short films demonstrating different techniques. Discuss specific brands and how/where to purchase. Make it easy on people to try new techniques and products.
perhaps ask people to show up with a specified number of blocks that are pinned (tell them to use their ugly fabric) to practice on during the class. Once people try, they will have questions.
It would be kinda fun if you had a few fat quarters to give away as prizes during class for things like...
first person to stump you with a question, first person to "travel" correctly, answering multiple choice questions about FMQ. Makes it more interactive which makes it more fun.
Have people choose from a book of pictures of techniques a specific pattern that they want demonstrated.
I wished I lived closer. I am determined to develop great FMQ techniques
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