I think with years of practice anyone would be able to do it well, but my attempts several years ago were so bad, I realized that I don't have enough years left! Besides that, I have sooo much stash that needs to be quilts, I have to be in a real hurry! Remember that I'm a very little, very old lady. :)

I am too! I mean very old lady!! It doesn't take years of practice unless one is trying to do some fancy stuff. But, that doesn't mean everyone has to do it!! My first tries were quite sad.

I think some people really do have a knack for it. Some people can conceptualize what things are going to look like before they happen and they can plan how or what they are going to stitch next and just keep on going. I can't do that and have to stop constantly and figure out where I'm going next and which way I need to swing my needle etc.
Practice is important and can produce a great product, but some people are just natural artists and it seems effortless. The rest of us just plug away.

Watson

Bear, I agree with you. I think some people have more natural talent for it. I'm plugging away but I doubt I'll ever be really good at it.
I'm a hand quilter at heart. That's really my favorite and I'm pretty good at it.

I agree that with lessons/training and practice that many people can become "fairly competent" at it.

But there are some that have that "artist's eye" -

I can do an excellent "stitch in the ditch" - but that is a bit boring - and hardly ever gets "ooohs and ahhhhs"

I do think that practice does help tremendously, BUT I do think that some people are just born with the "knack". I know a local gal that can't sew or cut a straight line but she can FMQ little tiny vases with flowers, etc., on a large quilt and do it all on a el cheapo brother sewing machine with a walking foot.

just like drawing, some people can do it better than others.... but I also have to say that you need to have the right sewing machine and alot of patience...... not sure when I will get better but I keep plugging away :)

I think you are right. Some just have a natural talent with FMQ. I am not good at all. Even with practice I can meander some days and then other days it just is a waste of time and threads

The real thing about FMQ is to figure out what speed of the machine works best for the speed you move your hands. I do better moving my hands fairly fast and having the machine go fast too. Learning to relax helps a lot, if you tense up it show in your quilting..

I have to agree with Bearisgray...that there are some who just have the knack of FMQ while the rest (including myself) have to practice, practice. I enjoy FMQ and the journey I’m on to get better at it. I don’t have to be an award winning quilter but I do want to do my own quilts so I’ll just keep practicing. : )