|
I always use quilting gloves, that way my hands don't slip, they are a must for me
|
Well, I'm just now getting ready to start practicing. Other than the Free Motion attachment for my machine, I found quickly I needed a pair of those gloves with the little rubbery dots on them. ha. You cannot MOVE that fabric under the needle without something to grip it. I guess I'll be just like you - Practice, Practice, Practice going around and up and down and meandering all over the place. We'll check on each other later and see HOW we're doing. lol
|
I love the wine idea!!!!!!!
|
Patience and the willing to practice, practice, practice, and more patience. It has taken me about 1 yr to feel somewhat comfortable with the process and the outcome. Enjoy.
|
a YEAR????? ugh
|
Which of the videos for free motion was the best? What site? THANKS.
|
Originally Posted by mrsddh97
Patience and the willing to practice, practice, practice, and more patience. It has taken me about 1 yr to feel somewhat comfortable with the process and the outcome. Enjoy.
|
I am just learning to quilt and I find that videos help me a lot. Can someone tell me the best ones and where to find them?
|
Originally Posted by alleyoop1
Thank to everyone for the great suggestions....now I know what has been wrong with my FMQ! I need to go buy a BIG bottle of wine!
yup the wine is what i need to gess i better go downstair and get a bottle since a kind friend gave us like a 100 bottles or somthing like that. Bet when im done using the wine up ill be an expert FMQ LOL |
WHAT is a SUPREME SLIDER -- ??? Somebody tell us; maybe that will HELP!
|
I think it is just a typo, what she meant is darning foot.
Suzy |
material sandwiched properly---- check
tensions set ---- check new needle ---- check quilting gloves on ---- check music is playing ---- check .... I've been forgetting the wine!!! no wonder why I'm having problems!!! LOL |
Another big tip that came from a sewing machine tech is to use a Stretch Needle, meant to use on knits but can be used on any fabric, the Stretch needles have a longer scarf & help prevent skipped stitches, I consider it a miracle needle.[/quote]
Stretch needle, huh??? I am going to try this out today with the stretch needle. I have been doing all my FMQ on all my projects and sometimes I do get skipped stitches, I will definitely try the stretch needle, thanks for that tip!!! |
The Supreme Sllider is a silicone, slippery, mat that you lay under your needle and it helps slide the fabric around. I wouldn't even attempt FM without it, and the gloves.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ider&x=16&y=19 Here is a few sites that I keep going back to: http://www.daystyledesigns.com/365project.htm (for designs) Go about half way down the page to FM on this site, also gives a lot of videos and just a lot of information: http://www.daystyledesigns.com/artic...motionquilting |
Originally Posted by Lisa_wanna_b_quilter
http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/free-video/
I found these videos very helpful. I'm still bad at it, but I understand what I should be doing. http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/free-video/ |
Just finished fmq my first large quilt. It looks like I had way too mucn wine. Can't imagine what it would have looked like if I had. LOL I really need to post a picture so everyone can have a good laugh.
|
Practice, Practice, Practice and more Practice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
Put on some music, my quilting is so much better if I have background music that is peppy and fun. I play lots from the 50s and 60s
|
Be sure and post a pic - I want to see it. Then when I do mine, I'll have something to compare it with!
|
Originally Posted by patski
Put on some music, my quilting is so much better if I have background music that is peppy and fun. I play lots from the 50s and 60s
|
THANKS SO MUCH - am checking out these helpful videos.
|
The videos are great...thanks for the tips...now to get the wine!!
|
i,v been fm quilting many years and tryed many things what works for me might not work for others . one thing i use is a little container that is called TAKE HOLD it is the stuff that u see bank tellers us on there fingers when they count money.
its .98 can buy it anywhere even walmart it also lets you not hold down on for fabric so tight that you can't move the fabric smoothy |
i,v been fm quilting many years and tryed many things what works for me might not work for others . one thing i use is a little container that is called TAKE HOLD it is the stuff that u see bank tellers us on there fingers when they count money.
its .98 can buy it anywhere even walmart it also lets you not hold down on for fabric so tight that you can't move the fabric smoothy |
i,v been fm quilting many years and tryed many things what works for me might not work for others . one thing i use is a little container that is called TAKE HOLD it is the stuff that u see bank tellers us on there fingers when they count money.
its .98 can buy it anywhere even walmart it also lets you not hold down on for fabric so tight that you can't move the fabric smoothy |
When I took sewing in Jr. High School back in the 1940s (WOW!), we started learning how to use the machine by sewing on paper. The teacher had designs printed on papers and we sewed without thread in the machine to get the feel of following lines etc.
I think this would work well if we printed some designs on paper and sewed them without thread to start. |
great idea. I just bought a bernina 440 quilters edition and just tried the free motion quilting. Boy Do I have to practice. It is not as easy as I thought but will take your idea and give it a try before I do the wall hanging . Thanks
|
I've tried rubber fingers, rubber gloves, tacky finger. But so far I like a snug fitting glove called "Machingers". They are light weight and do come in sizes, so try them on and get them to fit rather snug. The ends of the fingers are non-slip and makes moving your fabric sandwich much easier. And I agree with the other posters, cut some 12" squares of muslin or an old sheet, put batting inbetween. Draw a pattern on the muslin and follow the lines and practice, practice, practice.
|
Originally Posted by texaspam
You have gotten a lot of good suggestions. Since the biggest key seems to be PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PATIENCE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, I thought I would share my experiences.
1. you definitely need those quilter's gloves. They really reduce the stress on the body and helps move the fabric. 2. I use basting spray, even on queensize quilts. I actually think it works better than pinning and those little tack guns. If you have a big design wall, it would be easier to spray baste. First get the back smooth, then spray, then put on the batting starting at the top and working your way out and down, then do the same with your top. 3. Start in the center and quilt it in quarters like you would handquilt. 4. Always pull your thread from the bottom when you start. 5. Have a lot of bobbins ready. 6. Coats and Clarks machine quilting thread is probably the least expensive but it does leave a lot of lint in your machine and you should clean your machine before and after your quilting. 7. Do a few wall hangings and lap quilts first. Depending on your machine, you may have to work with your tension, etc. to get your stitches right. 8. Use a print backing that won't show your mistakes as easily. 9. Don't worry about what it looks like. Just do it. Your next one will be better with.......practice. 10. This probably should have been number 1. Don't use polyester batting. It doesn't lay flat. For FMQ it is better to use cotton batting or cotton batting with a little bit of polyester. It is just way too hard to FMQ on polyester, especially when you are a beginner. I can't wait to see your first one. |
Originally Posted by PaperPrincess
Originally Posted by ladyslipper
What is a darting attachment? That is something I have never heard about. Maybe that (and the wine idea) is what I have been doing wrong.
|
oh that is funny. But I have to agree. Sometimes when i have been sewing for a couple hrs, it is time for my toddy. Needless to say I do have it on side of machine to sip it, for the rest of the time that I am sewing. I do not use sewing machine at night. I like the natural light. I will hand sew at night under a good tall lamp though.
|
Wow - What great ideas. I just don't think that wine, me and sewing machine needles are a good combo. Can see me running over my fingers with my sewing machine -
|
Yes start with the quilt sandwiches, make sure you drop your feed dogs, and start with out a pattern and just do stippling.That really gives you the idea how to move the fabric and foot speed.But most important don't be too hard on yourself.It takes much trial and error. More of the later for yours truly, lol.
|
Yes start with the quilt sandwiches, make sure you drop your feed dogs, and start with out a pattern and just do stippling.That really gives you the idea how to move the fabric and foot speed.But most important don't be too hard on yourself.It takes much trial and error. More of the later for yours truly, lol.
|
Lots of laughter to begin with! Practice is an essential and what I found the most beneficial is good dense batting. Some of this thin cheap stuff or high loft thick does not make learning free motion any easier. In fact, I will not use it. If it is worth my time to meander or free motion some stars, hearts and cartoons, then it is worth spending more money for the batting. After that, just draw like you were in the third grade once again! :)
|
Originally Posted by ckcowl
not sure what a darting attachment is or what you would use it for, but where freemotion quilting is concerned what you need most is a stack of practice (sandwiches) it takes lots of practice to get a flow. start small and work your way up to larger and larger.
|
drop the feed dogs , patience and lots of practice ... Good Luck
once i learned to FMQ i love it |
Originally Posted by All Thumbs
Lots of laughter to begin with! Practice is an essential and what I found the most beneficial is good dense batting. Some of this thin cheap stuff or high loft thick does not make learning free motion any easier. In fact, I will not use it. If it is worth my time to meander or free motion some stars, hearts and cartoons, then it is worth spending more money for the batting. After that, just draw like you were in the third grade once again! :)
|
Originally Posted by katier825
In addition to the darning foot, you should make up several practice sandwiches and just start practicing. If you make them fat quarter size, they are easy to handle. Once you get comfortable, try on a small quilt or wall hanging. I found that at the beginning, I was more comfortable using thread that blended, so the mistakes weren't so noticeable. I've only recently started using contrasting threads.
Have fun! |
After you watch some videos, try to draw your pattern or meander path on paper. If you can't draw it, chances are you can't sew it. You can even trace it with your finger to get the idea into you brain.
I just did my first lap size quilt this afternoon. It's certainly not perfect but I am very happy with the outcome. It helps that it is a charity quilt so it was great to practice on. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:17 AM. |