Since I do QAYG - a large quilt wouldn't exist. I just like the looks of the motifs, and also like Sashiko. I've been tracing patterns I have on cheap muslin and playing with staying on the lines. It ain't easy. I've got a quilt going now - just figured out how to do the blocks - mostly straight, but one strip is crying out for connected ovals. I can do them with a regular machine, but turning and twisting the fabric is a pain. I did a wall hanging with a cabin - the roof was crying out for fish scales and I just didn't feel like trying it with a regular stitch. If I can get it into the computer, I can manipulate anything.

I also don't mind using backstitching. That used to be done. Or small stitches in place. You have knots and tie-offs if you machine embroider those stencils in the hoop.

Thanks

Doodling on paper is good. I also, suggest you get a large piece of felt to practice on. If you have a start button on yr machine, that helps a lot with speed. Be sure to check the back often to make sure there is no eyelashes. You will know when you are ready & comfortable to FM a quilt after some practice. It takes. Time and patience.

I agree with Paper Princess, but really, you should just grab it and go. It is the only way to become successful. I sat on the sidelines for a long time as I was worried that I would ruin my "lovely" work. A friend asked me to help her quilt some charity quilts (knowing this would force me into action) and so after practicing on those quilts, I just grab a quilt and start meandering...all the best with it. You will gain confidence with practice.

here is a site that talks about how to section off your quilt for fmq. I tried this approach once and it did help.
http://themodernquiltguild.com/2012/...-larger-quilt/

So far- no eyelashes, but lots of different sized stitches. Does craft felt work or isn't it heavy enough? You can get that really cheap. Cut it and leave a stack of it where it's easy to get at. No pins.

How about starting with a sampler? You can stitch in the ditch along the sashing and then do every block separately.

Cindy Needham has a class on Craftsy.com called "Design It, Quilt It" where she covers using stencils for fmq. She also has lots of tips for dividing up a space into sections and then fmq within those spaces. She also has a lesson on placing border designs and how to get them planned out without a lot of math. This is a worthwhile class, I think.

after practicing your doodle, get some glad wrap and doodle, lay it upon a practice square and sew, I use glad wrap when I want a special design on my table runners and when practicing.

Don't remember where I read this tip for stippling : Divide your quilt into quarters. Start on the right bottom quarter. Go back and forth on that quarter starting from the inside corner close to the quilt center. It will look like rows at first, but not once it is done. When finished with first quarter, rotate quilt counter clockwise and repeat with the next quarter. This keep the bulk of your fabric to left of needle. I am practicing using this method on LARGE pieces of muslin now. Plain muslin lets me see better where I am doing well and where I have screwed up. I am "wasting" some batting, but don't regret it when I see improvement. What everyone says about practice, practice really is true.

Thanks - I will look into that. Sounds like what I want. I'll just have to remember to use the computer rather than the tablet - a lot gets left out in the mobile version.