What are Magic Washers for the bobbin? Never heard of these. T.U.

I made a few (ha - understatement) test runs....then on to mug rugs...and then baby quilts. Will never be perfect, so I can't say practice makes perfect - but it sure does help!

I found that meandering my first few quilts really helped me practice. Also, I recommmend getting a piece of cheater quilt fabric and work on that. It is cheap and once done, can be given to someone. I made my MIL a small cheater quilt for her couch that was a double wedding ring. It allowed me to design what I wanted to and allowed me the practice that I really needed. Don't worry about keeping your stitches exactly even, because it won't happen right away, just have fun with it.

I, too, say to get a panel with a picture and practice stitching on the lines. This will help you with control.

Put on your favorite music, and see if that helps you find your "rhythm"!

magic washers are little teflon washer you put in your bobbin case. Leah Day (daydesigns.com) turned me on to them and they work. I suggest always cleaning out the fuzz that accumulates under your bobbin.

Not sure where this idea came from, but my sister learned to FMQ by using 2 layers of extra wide muslin with batting in her quilt sandwich. When she finished with her masterpiece, she had learned a lot and uses it now for a mattress pad. This also gave her some experience in controlling all of that fabric while she quilted.

Ha! Have you ever listened to some good foot-stompin music whilst driving? I find myself going 80 before I know it! LOL

I find that counting my stitches helps. Kind of like counting sheep, it sets a rhythm. Maybe because I conducted my high school and church chiors many moons ago. It's kind of like a metronome in your head.

Its daystyledesigns.com.