Hi, I just read of your problem with free motion quilting. I was curious what kind of thread and needles you are using, also please tell me more about your machine set up. I have taught several machine quilting classes and would love to help if I can, but I am not a sewing machine expert, it may be that you need to show your dealer what your machine is doing and make sure it is not the problem. I am from Ill. also where are you located?

There are no rules in quilting. It's up to the indivual, and what they choose/want to do. But it's nice to get feedback and share what has helped others. Just trying to be helpful, by no means an expert.

I've been quilting for a few years but just started free motion quilting. I found that on the small samples, I can do quite well, but once I get a big, bulky quilt up on my quilting machine, it's a different story!! The key is to sew at a fairly fast, even speed but to move your fabric slowly. You can beak needles & other nasty things if you move your fabric to fast. I know...I DID!! Keeping your sewing speed constant is the biggest feat & takes practice. The best things I bought is a pair of gloves, they really help me to control my fabric! Good luck & just keep at it! I read an article by a professional quilter that she does practice before EVERY quilt!! I have to remember that because just about the time I'm getting pretty good at it, the quilt is done!! lol

well Sam, I'm like you, the last section of my quilt is always the best. Just about the time I get my rythym going I'm out of room and have to stop and readjust everything. I think I'm going to take the next one apart and do it in quarters, that should be much easier to handle.

I recently read that to warm up for some free motion quilting it is a nifty idea to have some place mats made and do the warm up on these and the effort isn't wasted. :)

Now that is a good idea to have around!

Okay, you folks wanted me back, so here I am. I have covered these issues before, but always good to repeat. As this forum is so busy, many of our tips fall to the back pages and never looked at again. :lol:
Those of you having trouble with large stitches on back that look like they can be pulled out need to realize, they can. This is caused often by moving too quickly in a part you are feeling most comfortable doing. For example, if you are making an arch movement, you tend to go faster. This causes the bobbin not to be able to complete it's cycle before begining next stitch. The bobbin thread will look like it just laying on the back and the top thread will barely cradle it, creating loops. It takes a concious effort to keep moving at a consistant speed.
At the quilt shop, we use a magna doodle to practice designs before actually attempting them with the machine. If I want to do an all over free motion design, let's say of a flower and vine, I will start with the flower petals, a circle in center, then find my way out in some sort of flowing manner. to begin the next flower. By practicing on the magna doodle, I can actually see myself deciding the direction of least resistance and how to get myself from one point to another. Once the screen is full, it is erased and started again. This gives me a memory to take to the machine. I have already backed myself into a corner and gotten out, without having to make these decisions and interfere with my concentration at the machine.
I hope this has helped. I am sure you can find a magna doodle at a garage sale like we did. Another tip, at top of the forum page, you will see SEARCH. Click on that and enter machine quilting or anything else you may want to find. There have been many great tips posted before and are still available. Take advantage of all the experience of the forum members. I have learned alot from these sharing quilters. :lol:

Boo
So Nice to have you back, Nice to get your wisdom,Nice to see the purple lady again.

Karla, thanks a lot for your tips....I am also fighting with the stippling free motion....and am experiencing the same problems...than you.. :-)

Thanks a lot for the tips......We all need wisdom.....Plenty to learn :lol: