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SSGramma - What a GREAT site. Just what I've been needing to help me. Thank you
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Originally Posted by Tamara
Okay I want to start doing FMQ what do you think I need to do first?
I got a darting attachment for my machine is there anything eles that I need? |
Thanks for the video link :)
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I started by making my kitty a quilt. I also bought the "quilting on a roll"to learn to make stiples. I have that down pretty good so I am trying to work up the courage to try some other pattern now.
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Originally Posted by donnalynett
I started by making my kitty a quilt. I also bought the "quilting on a roll"to learn to make stiples. I have that down pretty good so I am trying to work up the courage to try some other pattern now.
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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! |
Originally Posted by Ceil
Originally Posted by donnalynett
I started by making my kitty a quilt. I also bought the "quilting on a roll"to learn to make stiples. I have that down pretty good so I am trying to work up the courage to try some other pattern now.
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Originally Posted by Tamara
Okay I want to start doing FMQ what do you think I need to do first?
I got a darting attachment for my machine is there anything eles that I need? |
Originally Posted by Tamara
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. |
practice, practice, patience, and more practice. Some people it comes very easy to (I was very picked on at the Viking store!) and some people get frustrated with it. Just don't give up. Try and imagine you're writing on a chalkboard... the thread is your chalk. :) Soft music to relax you (or whatever genre you desire)... a cup of tea or other soothing beverage handy... try making some loopy designs... if that is hard, then try jagged cuts, my hubby calls them broken glass... then after you get comfy with those, smooth out the points into curves. Try writing your name... try a big circle then run it inward and inward until you run out of room (big spiral)... Whatever you want to "paint" with your thread, just do it :)
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Don't forget the glass of wine. You need to be relaxed to do FMQ!!! :roll:
Seriously, like others have said - start small - I always recommend pot holders so you don't feel like you have wasted the effort. Then move up to a small wall hanging or baby quilt. After you have the technique down, then try a larger item where you are dealing with fitting everything through the machine. Good luck and don't get discouraged. I still have good days and bad days with FMQ, but the good days are winning. |
I used sheets from second hand stores to cut up into sandwiches, draw designs on your sandwhiches and try to follow them, do puzzel pieces, leafs and harts are easy. feathers are easy too, they just look hard, if you draw them they go quick. PRACTICE OVER AND OVER. and use your sandwhich bfore you do the real thing to make sure your stiches on top and bottom look good.
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Check out Leah Day's blog - http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/ - she is super at showing how she does different patterns of quilting on video and writing good instructions. She also has a number of items that she sells that help you quilt on your DSM.
Practice really helps! |
Gloves really do help and I love the idea of a glass of wine or whatever you want to help relax you. lol.
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Originally Posted by millivanillisask
Practice, doodle on paper, but instead of moving thepencil lay both hands on the paper and move the paper. This method helped me alot, and I also made small sandwhices 9x12 to do my practice. :lol:
That should of been one hand on paper :oops: |
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. |
I do all of my quilting with a walking foot. I use the book FoolProof Machine Quilting by Mary Mashuta as a constant guide.
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Originally Posted by ssgramma
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I didn't read all the responses, so this may already be said. I'm an elementary educator, and I swiped this idea from books on teaching both printing and cursive: On your practice pieces either draw, or attach paper with simple lines, curves, zig-zags to sew over. When you have those mastered, move on to swirls, squiggles, curlicues, etc. It's how children learn to write. Practice, practice, practice!
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Here are some links that I found helpful. Good Luck..you will love FMQ'ing!
http://www.thriftyideastoday.com/201...-quilting.html |
Originally Posted by Ceil
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! :)
I have been told, however, that when making quilts for the battered women's center, they prefer the lighter weight batting in blankets because it does not take so much time in the dryer. Makes sense to save electrical expenses. For those quilts with less dense batting, I use a walking foot and do a straight cross-hatch stitch for quilting. It turns out okay. But, like I said earlier, if I am going to spend time doing some nice free motion quilting, it is Warm and Natural every time. Thanks for asking and good luck. |
patience!!!
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Originally Posted by feffertim
I just started too and found that I really needed gloves because I kept licking my fingers so that I could grip the fabric. A lot of people also told me to have a glass of wine before I start, and they were right, it did help (except I made a bloody mary instead). My first attempts were dreadful, but I am slowly getting it.
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What do you all set your tension on?
I don't like the taste of wine or any other drinks that would help so that out for me..... |
depends on your sewing machine.
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Originally Posted by carolaug
depends on your sewing machine.
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Originally Posted by ssgramma
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Practice, practice and more practice before you use on actual project :lol: :lol: :lol:
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does tension make that much diference, I thought you control the stiches not the mecheine.
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If I knew it required a drink, I would have done it a long time ago.....kidding I don't drink except once in a while at a wedding or in the caribbean....all drinks taste good there!
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Well, I've got the wine...
What else do I need now? :lol: |
Get a cheap panel and sandwich that. Start by following the lines of the objects on the panel then fill in the background. Helps you practice your hands as well as your eyes. One more thing, if you have speed control mess with it until you find the speed your hands move. That is like having a stitch regulator.
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Originally Posted by Tamara
What do you all set your tension on?
I don't like the taste of wine or any other drinks that would help so that out for me..... |
I was going to throw out my old channel quilted place mats, but realised they would be perfect for FMQ practise.
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Originally Posted by oneygirl
I do all of my quilting with a walking foot. I use the book FoolProof Machine Quilting by Mary Mashuta as a constant guide.
I just went to Amazon and looked at this book. It looks to be an interesting way to quilt so I ordered a used book. I'm looking forward to trying some of her techniques. Thanks for sharing the information............................. |
Karen, thank you for the suggestion about the auto-pilot.
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Originally Posted by babyfireo4
Idk what you would need (since i don't have free motion machine quite yet) I was watching a tutorial to get an idea of what it takes and the best idea I saw was to make 12 1/2 square sandwiches to practice one. It's supposed to get you used to it and not mess up a beautiful quilt and if you like them when your done they can be made into a quilt as you go quilt. hope that helps :)
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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. |
just a quick question. Where do you spray the quilts and backing? It has to be in an area where you don't breath the spray, so where do you spraying? Can a person use this inside?
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I use the spray inside, but have the sliding door and windows open. Sometimes I'll use a fan. I use my kitchen table to lay the quilt out on. I have cardboard folding piece with a grid and measurements on it that I spread out on the table. You don't use a lot of the spray, just a light quick back and forth will be plenty to hold.
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