Hi everyone,

I have been making quilt tops and taking them to a LAQ which can get pretty expensive if you are making gifts for Xmas. I have tired FMQ and just can't get the hang of it. I know that "Stitching in the ditch" is an option, but is there any other way? Something that I could do on my own sewing machine? Tutorials would help.

Thanks..

Doda

you could do echo quilting

Doda I've been trying FMQ for 2 yrs (I'm sure people on this board of tired of me whining about it) and I just can't get it. I've practiced and the practice pieces are fine. I try it on the real thing, thread and needle break.
I've about given up. I draw a quilting pattern (just did holly leaves) on the top, and then just quilt on whatever I've drawn. That works for me. Maybe some of us are just never going to be FMQers!! I don't drop my feeddogs or use a darning foot-just sew over my design with reg sewing foot.

I didn't think I would EVER get the hang of it! I tried and tried and tried and tried, then one day it clicked in my brain and wala! I love it! So keep trying! It helps if you can practice everyday for a bit and also use the start button on yr machine vs the foot pedal (if you have one)

i don't know. i was about to give it up but am taking a class on the 19th. the quilt i did yesterday, i just did diagonal lines across the quilt blocks. still have to do something in the border though.
sometimes FMQ works well, most times not.

Free motion quilting on my machine is hard for me too.

I just need to practice more. That's what everyone says.

I have done some stitch in the ditch--that's not too hard but it's kind of like invisible quilting. Noone sees it.

You can always stipple--large or small.

Good luck with whatever you try.

Chris

I'm in the same boat. This seems to work best for me also.

Have you looked at Mary Mashuta's book "Foolproof Machine Quilting"?

It is worth persevering with the practice - I spent months and months on practice squares. And practising shapes etc with pencil and paper alot really works and makes it easier when you go to the machine, you will find you have a more fluid movement. If you dont have a speed control, try blocking the descent of the foot control pedal to limit the speed a little which helps with control.
Most fmq'ers still "warm up" before starting on a quilt.

You could tie or tack -- two techniques that have their own charm.

You could resort to fusible batting (though I personally hate that stuff).

You could barter with another quilter who does like FMQ and come up with a trade in services.

RST

Keep trying don't give up!

I just do straight line quilting. In a diagonal cross hatch or even just random. Some do straight line but do a wavy-ish line or some use a decorative stitch.

Here's a blog I like to read that has an article about straight line quilting.
http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogsp...-and-tips.html

I do a decorative stitch in the ditch, you can also do a decorative stitch for the cross hatching too.
Just elongate your stitches, and choose a stitch with a fairly open design :D:D:D

I have tried fmq with a bsr foot on a regulaer sewing machine and I can't do very well, but me and my mom went in together and bought a long arm quilting machine and it's wonderful. Using a regular sewing machine is like...we like to put it....like trying to draw but instead of moving the pencil, your moving the paper. I cannot do it. Maybe with LOTS of practice, I would be able to do it, but I'm not wasting that much fabric...lol. I'm just lucky enough to have a mom that lives in the same town as me and we both wanted to buy it. So it's no problem to run over to her house to quilt something.

I tried FMQ and I too am one who is sick of tearing up good fabric. Right now I LOVE stitch in the ditch. Im going to take a class on it after I move because I love the look....but right now Id much rather stitch in the ditch or pay someone else to FMQ my quilts.

Gale,
Thanks so much for the tutorial.
Just had the house painted and I have lots of painter's tape left over.
Marie

What is the diff between stipple & FM quilting ?

Lucky you!!!!!

I can't do FMQ right now either, been doing Physio for my shoulder and am currently waiting for reconstructive surgery on that same shoulder. I do love to do echo quilting, whether it is around appliqued shapes or seams, it makes things pop!

Stipple is just a pattern of free motion quilting. It's still FMQ.

Like amma said, work with decorative stitcehs. Or you could incorporate some grid work.

I recently learned that I can do straight-stitch @foot-width from the seam where I "tie off" by sewing at a tiny (.6mm) stitch length for about 5-7 stitches. Then I quilt at a normal stitch length (about 3-3.5mm depending on the batting) until I get to the end and I tie off with tiny stitches again. Have used this to sew squares, triangles, lines....

Using that method, I can lift the needle and pull the quilt to the new position without having to trim the thread. I trim that later.

I have a quilting friend who told me to practice on one of


those slates the kids use where you draw pull out the screen

and then start over again.You really get the smoothness you need when actually quilting. It worked for me good luck

Have you ever checked out http://[email protected] ? She does wonderful freestyle designs.

Ive tried FMQ.. I'm with you.. Im all thumbs and cant get it right or even make it look halfway decent.. I'll bit the bullet for the LAQ..

I am trying to teach myself FMQ on my home sewing machine since I doubt if I will ever be able to afford the quilting machine I would love to have. It really takes a lot of practice. Once you get the "flow" going it becomes much easier and I sure hate getting interrupted as it takes time to get back to your rhythm. I think I have a bookcase full of books on FMQ but still haven't graduated past the stipple and connected stars. I tried making some look like bubbles and it was "rather sad"!