Try tracing your design a few times before you stitch it. Then you will have the motion and direction down before you start. If I start without tracing the design first its always a disaster!

don't feel bad I am having all kinds of trouble with it too.

Please don't give up. When I started FMQ I was horrible. I hated it. I was so stressed by the time I finished a piece my shoulders and back were killing me. But I kept trying. I just finished a Happy Daisy wall hanging for my office. I stippled around the Daisys and yes I was exhausted afterwards. But my husband, who never compliments me, said I did a fantastic job. He just loved the quilting. When I looked at it he was right it was pretty good.

Moral of the story, keep trying! Practice and keep trying. I know I am going to do more.

One thing for sure--it is a whole lot easier to FMQ a 16" square than it is to FMQ a whole quilt!

But I want to be good RIGHT NOW, she said stamping her foot in frustration. Years??? seriously?????, I could be dead by then!!! And if even God put's me in stippling 101 I AM going to cry!

I am with you. IF you can't draw swirls and patterns with a pencil on paper how can you draw with a machine, But, one thing I had my husband put a screw on the foot pedal where I could not press it and go any faster then the speed I thought was right. I could not keep my foot on the pedal consistantly either. So I can do small things but skip feathers, curly cues, and stars. Meandering is at best what I can do and sometimes that is not a consistant stitch.

Kappy - I know the feeling - I want it to be good and perfect right now....so what am I doing? on the message boards instead of practicing!!

Boy, can I ever relate! I posted a similar message the other day and the wonderful people on this board came out in droves to try to help. There were SO many hints and tips I was amazed. I listed them on paper so I wouldn't forget, and there were a whole pageful! Try reading that thread and see if you don't feel a little better...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-106932-1.htm

Good news, I've got meandering down pat. I meander out to the kitchen to get some coffee, I meander through my house that should get cleaned, I meander past my sewing machine and right back here to the good old computer! This meandering thing is easier than I thought!

Don't give up. Suddenly it will click for you