New to free motion, should I start over?
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2012
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New to free motion, should I start over?
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I am new to free motion but trying to imcorporate some on every quilt I make so I can get better. Here are images from the back and the front of my quilt I'm working on now. Not sure how happy I am with the quality, mainly the thread build up at the bottom of the leaves. Any advice on how to avoid this? Should I rip out and try a different pattern that will help me avoid this problem?
Also, if you were selling quilts would you be happy selling with the thread build up or is that a no-no?
I am new to free motion but trying to imcorporate some on every quilt I make so I can get better. Here are images from the back and the front of my quilt I'm working on now. Not sure how happy I am with the quality, mainly the thread build up at the bottom of the leaves. Any advice on how to avoid this? Should I rip out and try a different pattern that will help me avoid this problem?
Also, if you were selling quilts would you be happy selling with the thread build up or is that a no-no?
#2
I like it. But I can't free motion quilt for the life of me so I admire your talent. I think it looks good!
As for the build up. For me it would depend on how it looked after being washed because of crinkling it may hide a majority of the build up. However. It doesn't look bad. I don't think it looks like one mass of knots or that it looks bad at all. Fwiw I would buy a quilt that looked like that.
As for the build up. For me it would depend on how it looked after being washed because of crinkling it may hide a majority of the build up. However. It doesn't look bad. I don't think it looks like one mass of knots or that it looks bad at all. Fwiw I would buy a quilt that looked like that.
#3
Looks fine. You must practice to get better and you are doing that. You may never get away from the shorter stitches when changing directions, as that is a natural pause but maybe something to work on as you go.
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
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It looks good. Study some of Leah Days videos and you will see she has thread buildup. She uses isocord thread so she can back track several times in some designs. The only way to get perfect stitching is with a long arm run by a computer. The more you FMQ the better you will get but I wouldn't take out your stitching. I find a little less then perfect stitching is better then the holes left from removing it. Sometimes washing the quilt will close in the holes but sometimes not.
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
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I think it looks really good. I wouldn't (and don't) worry about that thread buildup as you call it. I've looked at so many quilts at quilt shows and there is plenty of that on display. Remember, quilting is a craft, and as Tartan says, the only way to get "perfect" is with a computer-run long arm.
#9
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
It looks good. Study some of Leah Days videos and you will see she has thread buildup. She uses isocord thread so she can back track several times in some designs. The only way to get perfect stitching is with a long arm run by a computer. The more you FMQ the better you will get but I wouldn't take out your stitching. I find a little less then perfect stitching is better then the holes left from removing it. Sometimes washing the quilt will close in the holes but sometimes not.
The ONLY way to get perfect stitches is to get one of those VERY expensive longarm that are so expensive, you could buy a Mercedes Benz for what it will cost you. Hang in there and keep practicing!
PS There is always a need for charity quilts for adults, kids and dogs. Making quilts for even dogs, which I did is a perfect way to cultivate your skills.
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