I would like to become a good FMQ. Not sure why it is important to me, but it is. i don't need to be great - but good would be nice :-)

Any tips? I read somewhere that you need to practice 20 minutes a day - for a bizzillion days (or something like that!). I have no problem with the practice part - just the bazzillion day part :P

Any tips for a newbie? Any patterns that would be good to start with to get the feel for things?

TIA

I took a class last year on my new/used Bernina. The instructor said to put the motor speed on half speed and put the pedal to the metal. Let me tell you, that makes a huge difference! You would think that going faster would be good, but in fact it's the opposite when you're first starting out.

I recommend creating a sandwich to practice on first. You can even write notes on the sandwich for future reference.

My friend Beth says that I don't breathe when I quilt, so don't forget to breathe! :thumbup: :lol:

If you go to Search on top and type in FMQ there are lots of posts.

I'm pretty new to FMQ myself. It definitely takes practice. I think I'm doing...OK with it.:)

I agree with Quilter 7x. When you first start, set your speed on medium (if you can set the speed control...if you can't, it might be a bit more difficult to maintain a steady speed with your machine, and that makes it more difficult), pedal to the metal, and move the quilt slowly.

A BIG pointer that I read here...slow your HANDS down when you're making a tight curve or loop in your stitches. I found myself going too fast (moving the quilt, not the sewing machine speed) for those tighter loops and would have those loopies in my thread on the back...if you take it nice and slow around, it prevents that.

Before *every* quilt, do a test sandwich with the same fabric and thread that you will be quilting to get your tension sorted out before you start the real thing.

Relax your shoulders and sit up straight or you'll be hurting.

Listen to some music, it will help you to keep a steady pace with your hands.

Good luck!!!

Leah Day has a wealth of information about FMQ, including how to set a your machine and table just to mention a couple. Go to her website, daystyle.com and then the links from there. Excellant information.

Leah Day has a wealth of information about FMQ, including how to set a your machine and table just to mention a couple. Go to her website, daystyle.com and then the links from there. Excellant information.

I have just started to FMQ too......I might not be much good but I am really enjoying it....it feels like going out on a drive on your own after endless lessons....such freedom and such fun.....I agree with the advice about tension, and foot control speed...and also check your needle...smaller for lighter weight cotton, larger (16) for heavy weight, really makes a different, and don't forget to put the feed dogs down !

I remember reading a post from a gal that practiced her FMQ by making pot holders. Didn't matter what they looked like in the end, but she gained a lot of control without regulating her machine speed. To me, FMQ is having hand control, not just speed control.

IMHO quilting gloves really help! I use Top Stitch needles when quilting. A term that I have heard and like - 'FINDING YOUR SWEET SPOT' - each person and machine are different, so what works for your neighbor or me, might not work for you. Machine speed, hand movements, etc, etc. With the practice you will FIND YOUR SWEET SPOT!

the more you practice the better you will become- just like practicing your piano lessons- practice is the important part. take regular breaks, practice good body mechanics and you will enjoy the process more- if you over do it- it will become a chore.
:thumbup:

quilting gloves make it MUCH easier.. and practice... I bought old sheets and made less than FQ sz AND PRACTICED , PRACTICED, PRACTICED.....

I was told the same thing "remember to breath". Sounds like "DUH!" but ... it's true.

Also, relax your shoulders.

I second this. I put my tips in some previous postings, but the most important is to have fun with it.

watching this post for tips and tricks!!

1. Use a quilting needle, a must!
2. quilting gloves, I like the fons & porter gloves, or white machingers, found at LQS for $8-10, or something simlar. Dollar tree has gardening gloves for $1.oo that work as well.
3. Always use a new needle!
5. Magic Washers for the bobbin is super helpful.
6. If you have a start button on yr machine, use that instead of the foot pedal. More consistent!
7. Practice using felt! Fm on baby panels, then give to a local nursery school, at least that is what I do. I really like using the felt though. Making small sandwiches are great too.
8. Plenty of light! Some music is good.
9. An open embrodiery foot is best to see where you are stitching.
10. Get uniterrupted time & Practice, pratice and practice! Ask me how I know? Just starting to get very good with FM, now to become even better!! Best to you!

check out this lady, i really like her.
http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/free-video/

I agree with the class too, I am taking one in a month so I can get more comfortable with my machine, and of course practice practice practice

Your advice is good. Until the FMQ class I took, I always thought faster was the proper way to FM too, but found out different.

Thank you all for the tips! I really need them :)

Thanks for the link .. That was real informative!!

And practice, practice & practice! I like the one "breathe"

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.

I like to use a white board to practice new designs. Don't put your wrist down as you are teaching your arm the design. Low odor markers are a MUST...unless you want to asphyxiate yourself! (ask me how I know this! HA!) I also look at pantograph sites. Often I find designs I like that I think I can freehand. I don't print them as that is copywrite infringement. Rather I try to do my own version. Happy practicing! (I use my practice pieces to make dog beds!)

I am far from a FMQ-er ... just a wannabe!

Two suggestions I have been taught, and make sense to me ...
* practice with pencil and paper, to get the idea of where to go and how to do it! ... productive doodling, is what I call it and can do it anywhere, anytime!

* never move your hands on the quilt, with the machine running! Stop the machine, reposition quilt and hands before starting to stitch again!

I do better doing something, than just practice sandwiches ... so I see a lot of mug rugs, placemats and pot holders in the future!!!

On a scale of 1 to 10 I think I am now a 2. I have to control my speed sometimes it is fast and other times I think to slow. I just finished a wall hanging and my circles need help but I will keep trying, next time with music, that should help. AND everytime I think what the cost of sending it away is, I will keep practicing. I like writing someplace on the quilt who it is for and from whom._-J

When I was starting out someone said to practice for one hundred hours. So I made some charity quilts and offered to quilt charity quilts my friends made - let them know I'd be practicing - and kept at it. I'm sure I hit the hundred hour mark somewhere in there. I'm very comfortable now. Other tips: use a topstitch needle and high quality thread. I love So Fine! from Superior Threads. It's a little finer, so won't show up as much as a thicker thread. Use quilting gloves. Put a Supreme Slider on the throat of your machine, it really makes a difference when your quilt slides freely. It is also very helpful to have a cabinet for your machine so that the throat is level with the top of the cabinet. I also put a table behind my cabinet to hold the weight of the quilt. If it's sliding off the cabinet you'll have jerky stitches. Relax and good luck!

I can't say enough good things about Leah Day's FMQing Project. I set up my laptop next to my sewing machine, watch her design tutorials, and then try to do what she does. I doubt I would ever have attempted it without her.

A Bernina is a wonderful machine to use for FMQ'g. Far less tension problems to deal with and a better stitch than other machines, IMO. As far as gloves, I've alway found that inexpensive garden gloves that fit and have the little knobbies on the fingers worked best for me. There is also a weighted red quilting "halo" that you can lay over your fabric and use it to move the fabric around -- check Sharon Schaumbers daughter's site, "purple daisies". I've also seen in sold on other sites. Other than that, use a sharp or quilting needle, I've never felt a need to use a Bobbin Genie with a Bernina, but that may be just me. Don't be afraid to draw designs by hand or with a stencil to follow. It will get you used to the different movement, doing curves, etc. Stitch in the ditch is a cinch with you walking foot and feed dogs UP. With a little practice you'll soon get a feel for placing that needle right in the ditch. After you've practiced for a while, don't be afraid to take your machine off slow speed and go for it. You will learn to control your speed on your own for even stitches. And you'll find there are time you can go very fast as long as you get in and out of points quickly, If you don't the needle goes up and down too many times in the same spot and can break the thread. Don't be afraid, just go for it. You have one of the best machines available for FMQ on a domestic. Good Luck!

VCINWA makes a lot of good points. If you can, get your machine top level with the top of your table. If you don't have a cabinet that allows you to sink the machine down, there are a few alternative. Many people have cut a hole in a regular table or desk, made something below to hold the machine at the correct level so sewing bed of machine is level with table, and then used there own extended table (which most Bernina's come with) or a purchased acrylic table that fits right up to your machine and extends out to cover the hole. There are also many cabinets and portable tables that can be found on the internet. Laura Day offers a couple on her site. So does Hancocks and Joann's. The lower height of the machine and level surface "REALLY" makes FMQ'g a lot more comfortable and gives you a lot more control.

Spraying your sewing machine base before hand with Armour All helps it glide along much easier. And don't forget to breathe,I have been a proud owner of a longarm and was told by my dealer and teacher to BREATHE and it will flow. And if the gloves are too hot then the rubber tips from the office supply store also work well.

Dont mash down hard with your hands!!!! Use a very light touch. I try to just use my figer tips.
For stitch length, with a regular foot and feed dogs UP. rest your hands lightly on the fabric and stitch out a line, slowly, feeling the movement of the fabric as it makes the stitches. This will give you a feel for how to move you fabric when you go to FMQ.

I am working on the third one now and I am finding it easier this time. It will take a while for any fancy designs but I have stippling down fairly well.
I agree with the gloves because I found since I found this hint on this board that it is sooooo much easier to control your quilt.