FMQ can be so darn frustrating, especially at first. Just keep at it - a lot of it will become automatic as you do more quilts. It really will get easier - hang in there!

We all have days like this, though - doesn't matter how practiced we are - we all hit roadblock kind of days and when they come, I just go do something else for a while. :)

Best of luck to you!

Don't give up. It will come to you with practice.

Thanks for the uplifting words.....I actually did made a checklist and taped it to my machine. Hopefully this will cut down on a lot of headaches 🤞🤞😘😘

I share in your frustration. I sewed the binding onto a quilt yesterday and this morning all I had to do was miter the joining ends and sew them together. I had more trouble with a 3" seam than I did with the entire binding. The thread broke, the bobbin jammed and broke the needle. It took me almost an hour to complete a 5 minute job. I don't think I will sew anymore today. I don't need anymore frustration.

I have soooo many days like this....I think my problem is that I need to slow down....I seem to always be in a rush......my biggest issue is forgetting to put my presser foot down when FMQ..... I don’t know why I forget to do this so often when free motion quilting, because I never forget it when I’m just piecing... oh well eventually it will just come naturally, I hope....lol. Here’s to a better day tomorrow

For me, it was because the quilt is so thick, it looks like the foot is already down - there's little to no visual reminder to put it down. When you're piecing, the foot is clearly to high to sew with.

It will be automatic for you soon, don't worry. :)

JRW, I can totally relate.
I like the idea of a list so that's good.
I find a big problem I have is tensing my shoulders. I am constantly having to check that. FMQ isn't easy for me at all. I started as a hand quilter. Talk about a learning curve!

I will say though that I'm getting better and you will too. Hang in there :)

I have been fmq for years. I have learned it takes a machine that you can bully.

It is real rough when you are first learning. I am one that is just learning also . Hang in there and keep practicing.

My problem is not dropping the pressure foot…it is tension! No matter what I do, I seem to have thread too loose on the underside. Grrrrrrr. I enjoy FMQ other than that. It does takes lots of practice.