I have been using orphan squares and leftovers with an old wash cloth in between with a layer of W/N and making some much needed potholders. Been even getting a little experimental with my FMQ. Good area to test it in.

For practice, I get all those pesky little leftover pieces of batting and zigzag them together. My sister uses old bath towels. And I buy plain old muslin by the bolt, usually waiting for it to go on sale or use a 40-50% coupon at JoAnn's. Muslin is also great for making practice blocks, especially if there are a lot of pieces to it and/or I've never done the block before. However, when I am going to FMQ a quilt, I use the same fabric and batting as the quilt to practice on so that I can make any adjustments to the machine.

That's an awesome idea! All my pot holders are looking pretty raggedy. Just knowing that I don't have to 'waste' a practice sandwich by using it as a potholder will really make me want to practice with more purpose and skill! Love it!

Thanks Murphy! You're my hero!!

Old sheets pillow cases..

When I do put together a "practice piece" I will keep using it again and again, changing out the thread color to see what I am doing. I have also put a new piece of fabric on the top and bottom and practiced again when it got too full to see what I was doing. I use old fabrics that I found cheap, old sheets, muslin etc, but have warm and natural in my "sandwich" cause that's what I use in my quilts and I want it to "feel" the same.

I practice on quilted Muslin...It's cheap at Joanns & Hancocks. http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Unblea...VVviewprod.htm

Ikea sells really inexpensive fleece throws

Three things...
1. Practice with scraps and no batting -- often it's the movement itself that is difficult to master, and you don't need batting to do that!
2. Practice with batting scraps that have been pieced together -- because eventually you'll do this on a real quilt anyway
3. Quit practicing and just go for it! If it doesn't look quite right, wash the quilt and then dry it on high. All sins will be forgiven, seriously.

These are great ideas. I think first I'll get out some orphan blocks, use the batting for heat and make pot holders. I need some decorative pillows for the living room, maybe these could be fancy quilting practice with couched yarns and decorative threads.

Love the thrift store ideas.

Use anything from your rag bag, old sheets, old towels, worn out clothes. Old t-shirts would work for batting, maybe 2 layers.

I also practiced on pot holders and hot pads.