Is this why I freak out every time I try to FMQ???? LOL!!!! Yeah, I'm a control freak, too, but never put the two together in the same sentence before! LOL!!!

I checked out a book from the library almost 5 weeks ago on FMQ, and had to renew it last week when it was due back (untouched at that point). I finally picked it up last night, and OMG in that 30-ish minutes of reading, I learned a lot! Haven't had the chance to practice yet, but it makes a lot more sense now.

The book is called "Guide to Machine Quilting", by Diane Gaudynski. It's a quick read - about 140 pages total, with big print. I think I read about 60 pages in that short time. I just might invest in this book!

I too have been too intimidated, even after taking a class.
I am in control...I am in control... I like that way of thinking, unconventional! Thanks for that confidence builder. I think
I'll try FMQ myself.

I am a human being.
I have been given superiority over all inanimate objects.
Therefore ... the inanimate objects HAVE to do as I command.
feels sooo powerful, eh?

And how is that working out for you, omak? I know, when my car dies, I don't have the ability to command it to act.

At my command is to find someone who knows how to make it do what it is supposed to do.
but, I know what you are saying ...
If it is man-made, man can control it ...

This may sound crazy, but I found some examples of stippling that I liked that looked like water rippling, printed them out, and tried to duplicate them on squares of fabric. It was sitting down and not knowing where to go that was driving me crazy.

Also, even tho' I have the Bernina with the BSR, my machine also has an On/Off button and a speed control. So, I unplug the foot control, use my needle up/needle down button to bring the bobbin thread up, then hit the On button. Then I move the fabric around. When I'm finished, I hit the off button and I'm done.

If you do your practice squares using the Insulbrite or using the teflon fabric as your backing, you can put a narrow binding on them and you have handmade potholders.

I agree with the practice, practice, I do a practice piece every time just before I work on my project, to try to get in the rythym for that day! I'm still not very good at all and am taking a class next week so hopefully that will improve it. And Yes to the wine! One glass relaxes me a bit (or like my first time, 1 glass relaxed me a bit, 2 glasses relaxed me more & the 3rd glass made it so I didn't much care what it looked like! Oops)

Yep, that's one thing about us teachers -- we have them do it over and over until it's right. :lol:

You hit the nail on the head. I haven't made a fm quilt yet but I have been practicing and I do not breath. I have to stop to get air. How funny is that! I'm glad I'm not the only one that did that. Will I at some time start breathing? Someone told me to practice doodling it on paper and that gives you a feel for where to go next. And I've been doodling away.

I think one of the people suggested working at it for a few minutes every day.
I am highly analytical, and I don't remember all the reasons I was afraid of making mistakes when I first started quilting.
Forget the free motion aspect, for awhile. Just practice free wheeling straight lines, although, believe it or not, moving it from side to side actually is a better use of the machine, I think.
Just take comfort in the fact that others have done it before you, so you know it can be done ... the only thing to decide is how you are going to do it, but do it, you must ...
The breathing thing will come. Take a few deep breaths before you start and you will have enough oxygen to sustain you for quite awhile <g> ...
You all will do just fine.
I am not a big one to say, "I did it, anyone can do it" ... but, I will say ... others have done it, you know it can be done, all you have to decide is when you are going to try.
And, don't be so hard on yourselves ... we are our own worst critics! Maybe someday I will do a job that I absolutely know is perfect, but I am never sure that it is really good ... but, I am better today than I was last week, and most certainly a lot better than I was five years ago when I tried it for the first time.
Trust yourself to be able to learn, and be excited because you are about to start accomplishing something that will make your quilt more useful and maybe even prettier!
You will do a good job. And, you will keep breathing <g>