Advice on Qulit Plans
 

For those of your who do FMQ on a DSM do you develop a quilting plan in advance? If so do you graph it out or what? So far I have only done all over designs such as a meander, now I want to broaden my horizons.

I quilt on a DSM and yes, I plan in advance. I usually hang it where I can look at it for awhile if I'm not sure what I want to do. I have also drawn it out on paper- whatever works!

I draw out my quilt in eq and make a few copies of it as a line drawing. Then I sketch in some ideas that I think I will like. When I know pretty much what I want to do I keep that drawing handy to refer back to.
If there is an element that I am not sure about I sometimes put some press and seal over that area of the quilt and audition my design there.
I try to at least have a general idea what I want to do before I start stitching. I am new at this so I have a lot to learn.

Some quilters use plexiglas to audition their quilting design. (I think there are some on this Board who do that.) You use markers that are washable so that you can reuse the plexiglas as much as you want. Here is a little video demonstrating it:

http://longarmuniversity.com/basic_t....htm#Plexiglas

Go down to the second video titled Plexiglas for Pattern Drawing.

Then depending on the complexity of the design, you can then draw it on your quilt with washable fabric marker or freehand it because now you know what and where you want to put your design. Hope this helps!

(Looks like there are some other videos that I will want to watch later.)

When I try out a new quilting pattern, I try to draw lazily on a piece of paper to see if it "flows". I think on a smaller throated machine, it' important to try it out in the confines of the machine, to see if a swoop is possible. When I'm ready to practice the new pattern, I start first on a practice piece before I tackle the entire quilt.

I have drawn the design on golden threads quilting paper and then used temporary spray adhesive to attach to quilt top. Then quilt through the paper and remove later.

Usually the quilt tells me how to quilt it and I don't want to argue with a quilt!! Someone might just see the argument!!

ManiacQuilter2, I'm with you! That is another reason why I like to pin baste my quilts because I think I start to form my idea for quilting during that time. Then I usually just make a few small quilt sandwiches from the leftovers from the quilt and batting and experiment. Works for me!

I plan,but not too awful much. If I FMQ then I use stencils. I do still have to measure and make sure things will fit as I expect

I am watching these posts, as I hope to begin finally using my mid arm this year