Talked this over with a woman who teaches how to MQ with Janome's. She was very encouraging -- just do it, you'll never get any better without trying!

Her advice to starter:
1. Get some muslin, make some 18" sandwiches, put on various designs -- yours or others. And start.
2. Throw the first one away. (I made mine into a pocket for an ice pack.)
3. Use the second and third, even teh fourth for a pet pads -- donate them if you don't have pets.
4. Do a small project and give it away.
5. By then, you'll feel comfortable trying somethign a bit larger and more technical.

I'm still practicing on give aways, esp. if it's not straight lines or SID. Add these thoughts to the others you see here and have fun!

Have Fun!

What helped me most was learning to machine quilt large quilts in sections. And using Machingers gloves.

Machiners gloves are a must. I have FMQ without them, and my hands cramp up, and I end up grabbing fistfuls of material to move it. With Machiners gloves, the fingers are supported and not so much grabbing.

FMQ is ????

Free Motion Quilting :)

I am in the process of finishing my first FM quilt. I was afraid to start it for over 2 months. I read and read more then I thought and thought about it. Finally I decided it was time to take the next step - and just start quilting. Here's what I learned:

1) Practice every time before you work on your quilt - just to get the feel of it again.

2) Don't be afraid to make a mistake. How else will you learn? No one else will probably notice once it's done.

3) Find the speed that works best for you. As you do different patterns you may need to adjust. (I just make up my own designs.)

4) I read on the QB to raise the feed dogs. The main part of my quilt was done with them lowered. Accidentally I started my last practice piece and didn't lower them and found the stitches were very even.

5) I use a low tension bobbin - makes a BIG difference.

6) A teflon sheet works very well for sliding the quilt.

7) Keep your quilt from pulling down. I will even put it up over my shoulder to make it easier for me as I quilt.

8) The most important thing I learned this evening as I was trying to finish the border - don't get your fingers anywhere near the needle! I ended up with a broken needle in my finger. Ouch!

Have fun. Don't be afraid to do it. Once the quilt's done the little imperfections will disappear.

Oz ... "4) I read on the QB to raise the feed dogs. The main part of my quilt was done with them lowered. Accidentally I started my last practice piece and didn't lower them and found the stitches were very even."

It's ...
Feed dogs up for quilting with your walking foot.

Feed dogs down for FMQ with your darning foot on.

Practice, then practice some more!

Salsa music! Linda Taylor taught me that at the Machine Quilter's Expo. What is the first thing you do when you hear it? Your body loosens up and you start moving. It keeps you from being tense! Honest to goodness, it works! LOL