When you do a motif in free form quilting, do you use a pattern or do you just wing it? I'm just starting to learn free form and I don't know if you just sew through a paper pattern. Wouldn't that be awkward?

free form..i take an white erase board and use a marker and just doodle on it..it is my practice and to loosen up my arms and free my mind! just winging it i guess..with practice! lol!
how are you doing? feeling better, healing ok?

You can try to swing it free hand with your machine, but try with a scrap sandwich first. If it doesn't work well you can stitch through paper, or mark it on the top with chalk or water soluble marker. No matter what, practice. before. It will become second nature as you acquire more practice.

here are some u tube video clips on all sorts of FMQ'ing..some of them are soo cool! scroll down and check them out!

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...ion+quilt&aq=f

lots of practice.

For some I use stencils, but most of the time I just wing it.

I would be more apt to use a stencil and mark the quilt if it is an intricate design. If it is more basic, I would just wing it. Once you get more experience, you may find you do not need the stencils anymore :D:D:D

Thanks guys! You've built up my confidence. I'll start practicing!!