FMQ spirals.
 

Just cannot do them.
Does anyone have any hints and tips on these.

Thanks, Watson

check out u-tube.

Leah Day has some awesome free videos on how to fmq just about any pattern you want. I'm like you...though for me, I'm having a rough time getting fmq down at all. I'm way too critical of my stitches, spend more time with the seam ripper than the machine.
I admit I haven't practiced much either tho.
Here's a link to 1 of Leah's spiral vids:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hSTd92LWE3E

And a link to Angela Water's "Shape by Shape FMQ" book. I bought it, and it really does make sense for me. She and Leah both also have classes on Craftsy you can sign up for (they cost, it varies).
Now to just get going and put my seam ripper up!:
http://www.amazon.com/Shape-Free-Mot...=UTF8&qid=&sr=
I'd also Google how to spiral fmq.

Regards,
Kif

Everyone is different, but I have received or heard this advice from free motion quilting instructors in online classes, face to face classes, blogs, tutorials- every way used to instruct: muscle memory is critical. I doodle in a spiral notebook when I am out, or use a small white board and dry erase markers at home. The things I want to try to free motion quilt I draw over and over and over before I start practicing on my sewing machine. I know it seems like just one more step to the final outcome, but for me it really makes a difference.

Yes, I even did this as a longarm quilter. Also traced the panto designs before I started quilting.

REALLY pay attention to how and where you are stitching. Leave large spaces between your "rounds" so that you have space to stitch out of the spiral. As you come out of one, stop, plan direction of next spiral (swirling left or right) and where it is going to be placed, then go for it. You can practice on paper as Cybrarian suggested. It took me a while to train my brain to make one to the right and next to the left. Hope you get the hang of them, they are fun to make.

Have you tried this?
http://theinboxjaunt.com/2012/11/01/...ilted-spirals/

What great links you all have listed! Here's hoping that these will help me along with Watson.

I have trouble with spirals too and really have to pay attention to whether I want to return on the "inside" or the " outside" when I get to the middle, because if I don't, I end up with an extra revolution to get back out or not going in the direction I want to go next. :-/. Not to mention the spacing issues :-0

Have your exit strategy in place before going in.

And I 2nd the advice to doodle/draw your shapes and patterns a lot. Be obsessive about it. Any time you're just sitting there, doodle and put your focus on being smooth and keeping the spacing fairly consistent.

Then just do a whole quilt of spirals. Don't stop and rip out if you make a mistake. Keep going and keep making each one better than the last.