I haven't tried the gloves just for quilting, but I really enjoy my $.49 mechanic gloves from Harbor Freight. I did cut the tip of the thumb and forefinger out so I could use my fingertips! I have also been trying to use just plain shelf liner (the rubber kind. Or rug-grippy things) like the instructor in a Craftsy class I'm taking.

on my machine I always rethread and clean any lint or fuzz from the bobbin and bobbin case.Then make small adjustments on the top tension.

am new at this also ''one thing I will say is to use is good quality cotton thread '" and to keep on practice............we will all get there on day ....just have fun trying pgmb

also keep bobbin free of lint and check it frenquently
.............pgmb;)

Hey, I think we've all been there! I'm on quilt # 14, and this is my first attempt at free motion quilting. I got a pair of (vinyl?) gardening gloves that stretch and have a mesh on the back so they don't get too hot for my hands. This is the ONLY way I can get my king size quilt to move under the needle. I watched one video on youtube, put together a practice sandwich of the same materials as on the quilt and dark thread so I could see what I was doing. Then, I took the plunge. Not too bad so far... if I could only convince 2 of my cats that it's not their quilt and they need to get off it so I can sew! hahaha[ATTACH=CONFIG]332911[/ATTACH]

how sweet is that kitty??? :-) No wonder your quilt won't move!

I had thought about gloves too but to me it looks like it would take away the tactile sense. I am taking a class on craftsy and she uses pieces of drawer liner stuff. That works great. I also now keep two sponges at hand and love it. They really grip the fabric and make it easier to move.

One of my machine quilting books had a page of stippling. It was suggested that you trace the stippling to get used to the movement. I photocopied the page and put it in a plastic sheet protector and used a dri-erase marker to trace the stippling design. Then I erased it and continued retracing and practicing. It helps to 'train' your brain to move in the right motion.

Now I have an IPad with a 'Drawing Pad' app so I can draw stippling designs with the tip of my finger while I am relaxing in front of the TV. Then I delete it and just keep practicing. It helps you to think in 'stipple-ese'. Is that a word? lol

It just takes a lot of practice. I'm still not comfortable enough to quilt a large quilt, but I do some Project Linus quilts and other charity quilts. I'll keep trying and some day, when I grow up, I'll be a FMQer. lol

Norma

I agree with you girls, I break out in a sweat, why am I afraid of this? It is not like me. I have tried alot of things in my life and this makes me nervous. Am I afraid of failure?

I do use pen and paper to practice FMQ. When i want to learn a new pattern I copy it over and over and over one every scrap of paper that crosses my path. The thread tension thing is rather simple compared to learning how to move the quilt around to get a design sewn onto it! Take your time and practice as ofeten as you can. As previous posters have suggested, adjust the upper thread tension a little to tighten it. I found that on my machine if I pull the top thread and then the bobbin thread and the tug feels about the same then I am close to having a balanced tension. Keep on stitching!
peace

EDIT: TerrimB, Love the cat!