choosing fmq design for newbie
 

I'm finally going to jump in and quilt this top. Any suggestions for fmq design?

Also, I have a few books on how to fmq but are there books or websites that help in learning good designs for different quilt patterns?

if you want to FMQ, i'd start with a meander, the possible not smooth lines won't show

I would advise to not do a lot of stitching on it. Depending on the thread and other factors, if you run your hand over the top of a machine stitched quilt, it can be very rough. I always hand quilt baby quilts because of this.

I love those 30's reproduction fabrics! If you haven't tried FMQ on practice pieces before, I suggest you do this before you try it on your lovely quilt top.
A meander is one of the easiest to start with. Once you get the "flow", loops are easy and graceful, too. Do you have quilting gloves? Machingers or whatever, they are so helpful!

Yes I do have gloves and have practice "sandwiches" I've practiced on. This will just be the first time I brave quilting on an actual top. And thank you for the kind words about the top :)

I would do a meander stitch.

Your fabrics are all in a similar value and quite busy so the quilting won't show much. I would recommend loops. If you feel daring you could add shapes along the path such as hearts, or leaves, or stars, using a neutral (beige/tan/taupe) thread.

It's not just the stitch design that makes it look good, but also keeping the area you are working on, free and loose. You will need to stop (needle down!) and reposition a lot. Make sure you pull up a bunch of the quilt all around the area you are working on so there is somewhere for your stitching to travel to, without getting in a bind. Plan to stop and reposition often and your quilting will look the smoothest.

Yes a meander...then take a deep breath and establish an easy rhythm...jerky rhythm equals jerky stitching... find that sweet spot for sewing machine speed...once I realized I was trying to sew too fast this technique finally started to click. I'm slowly get more comfortable after each project. On this current project, I found myself speeding up as my confidence improved but I couldn't move the fabric fast enough, so I slowed the machine speed down. Good luck...

meander was my go to when I first started, and then I added feathers. Practice drawing on paper and try not to have your meanders too close to each other. If you are working on a domestic sewing machine though, straight lines might be easier and would look good on this one -- but not much will show with the fabrics unless you use a color of thread that majorly stands out (like black) and I wouldnt' do that on my first quilt LOL!

Hadn't thought of it, but you're right, it's a "busy" quilt so it's probably a good one for me to try first since glaring errors won't be as noticeable. Thanks!

Pretty quilt top! Pick a design you are most comfortable doing. On print fabrics, the free-motion designs will not stand out as much depending on the color thread you use. On my first try at f-m quilting I did edge to edge loops. You may find it helpful to warm up on a practice sandwhich made from scraps or similar fabrics to audition your thread and design. Have fun!

I agree with Tartan, a loop de loop is so much easier than a meander. You can't stitch yourself into a corner if the threads cross over each other. How big or small you want to make the loop de loops is up to you. Larger will be softer in the end.

I have always heard, for a very angular design, use a curvy design, for a curvy design, use a very angular design. Not sure that helps LOL

Like Tartan, my meandering looked awful when I started (stills does!). I would suggest figure 8s. http://truebluequilts.com/free-motio...ilting-design/

I found Angela Walters' books really useful when I was starting to fmq.

Actually, it does help. I kind of wondered if that was a way to figure it out, thanks!

I just do an all over meandering design. I don't care for all the designs some quilts have. If you tense up it will show in your quilting. So relax and just do what feels natural. Washing and drying the quilt after it is completely finished helps too.

It is a very pretty quilt.

I have FMQ'd 8 or 9 myself. I used just a meander pattern.
I suggest you have a mentor. They can keep you out of trouble, show you cool techniques, and the fellowship is great.
Whatever you choose to do, enjoy.

What I have done is to roll the quilt from both ends with the larger roll on the right hand side. Start at 1 side & quilt (meander) across, sew to the right & then quilt another section across the quilt. When you get to the end of that roll, flip the quilt & start again. I have just done meander & it looks fine. My quilts are comfort quilts & people think they look great at craft shows. Don't over think it. :) I always get myself in trouble when I do that.:o

Don't overthink it...great advice. That's probably why it has taken me so long to get this far lol

A meander or loops would look great. IMO, I like them mixed. When I took a one evening class before I started, The instructor was adamant that a meander NEVER has a crossed line. When I broke her rule and added loops, it became much easier and I like the effect much better. It's even fun to throw in a star or flower and it's good practice for when you want to do flowers in a plain block on your next quilt. In other words, just have fun!

I say have fun and pick some designs (maybe 3?) that you'd like to try. Loop-de-loops, hearts, and bubbles got me into the fun zone of FMQ. Just practice first on a sandwich to get your groove on.

I totally agree with this, plus with the meander I had difficulty keeping the same scale of the meanders when I moved to other areas, but with the loop de' loops I wanted to have the variety of sizes and that made it much easier. Good luck!