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?

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!

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 :)

Lot's of info here:

http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

Just scroll down - it's recipe day.

I hear you need patience & a sense of humor! I also read on the board that playing country music will give you a sense of rhythm to get your hands/feet in sync.
I'm taking a FMQ class Sunday so might have more suggestions after then.

Lots of practice. I always play music too. Just works best for me. Relax and breath. I use quilting gloves too. I started with fons and porters quilting gloves but find gardening gloves work too.

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:

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:

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.

What a great idea! Although I'm sure it works better moving the paper with just one hand instead of two. I was trying to figure out how to hold the pencil in my teeth. Blessings.

I'm a self taught quilter from piecing to FMQ. I bought a book of 9" blocks to make into Pot Holders to learn everything from piecing to quilting. They were perfect learning size. Needless to say everyone at work got Pot Holders for Christmas that year :)

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.

You'll need a machine that you can drop the feed dogs on. There are ways around a machine that doesn't have that feature, but it's a lot easier if it does.

Is it just me or is it really funny that alcohol consumption is part of the technique? lol!!!

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.

At some point you have to take a deep breath and just do it! and accept that your first attempts will not be perfect, but they will improve.

I think it's funny to! if it works it works ;)

I just got back from a Hyperquilting class at a quilt shop. It was great fun! I had looked at the Hyperquilting book before the class and at first glance I didn't think it had much info, but after taking the class I can see where each 'lesson' is really broken down into manageable steps.

:lol: My laptop is now wearing taco salad. :lol:

All of the above. Practice, practice, practice. also, my machine doesn't drop the feed dogs so I set the stitch length to zero so the feed dogs don't move and don't have a problem.

Quilting gloves really make a difference...and as others have said, practice on sandwiches. The hardest part for me was trying to relax, and that makes a world of difference too.
I know you'll have fun :D Enjoy :D

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.

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.

I'm pretty sure that the "darting" foot should have been "darning " foot. I have never heard of a darting foot - but a darning foot and lowered fed dogs are keys to FMQ. Practice , practice, practice - oh and btw a little wine couldn't hurt!

Texaspam's post covered it very thoroughly, but I would strongly encourage the quilters gloves. They give you so much more control. And, as everyone else says, practice, practice, practice! Once you actually get going, you'll wonder why it was so intimidating.

do all the things everyone has suggested here and you will be fine. Remember only you will know what you really intended the design to look like. RELAX AND HAVE FUN WITH IT

I'm surprised to hear that polyester batting causes a problem. I don't have any issues with it. I use either cotton or polyester to do FMQ and while I am not an expert, the batting has never been a problem.

And that's why we love FMQing so much~ :lol:

I recently took a class at our guild on quilting/FMQing. In preparation for the class we had to make 12 13" quilt sandwiches out of muslin, then draw a 1" grid on each one with a washable pen....not the air-disappearing one. A couple of the grids were 60 degree diamonds which can be done with any ruler that has that angle on it. These were our practice pieces and they are now wonderful reference pieces.

The concept is that you think in squares and with only a little practice you can go freely from one square to the next. Whatever design you create......squiggles, flowers, leaves, vines, arcs, stippling.....just keep going from one square to the next in whatever space you want to quilt in. Starting with small squares makes it easy to see & create designs, and they can then be easily enlarged to fit larger spaces.

Other than that....practice, PATIENCE, deep breaths, RELAX THE HANDS AND SHOULDERS, sharp needle, gloves (I like the white Machingers because they're lightweight), and more patience.....just do it!

Also....if your machine has an "auto-pilot" feature where you unplug your foot pedal and push a start/stop button to stitch.....try using this feature on a practice piece. I find when I use it my stitches are MUCH more even, I relax my hands more and the overall look is more professional....the photo below shows my first meandering using the auto-pilot.

Good luck and have fun with it!! Karen

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!

One other lesson that I've learned is that it's easier to FMQ on the practice squares because you can move them around so easily. When it comes to your large quilt, think of it divided into 4 quadrants. Then start in the middle and work to the outside and bottom of each quadrant. You have to stop and move your quilt frequently because it drags against the edge of your table and machine. As soon as it becomes hard to move around while stitching, stop and re-adjust the quilt. Good luck!

I have just very,very recently started to do FMQ. I watched hundreds of videos on YouTube and just decided to try it. I got the darning foot and had to use a darning plate as well. The very hardest part for me was gettin my tension right. Also get the machine quilting needles. Yep, there are needles especially for that. Keep your material moving and don't try to pull it too fast, your stitches will be really long. Above all it takes lot of practice and if you are like me lots of thinking about giving up. Keep on keepin on... Good Luck
ps... once you get started you will love it and time will fly by...

Along with all the other great advice, I find that using a Supreme Slider - a very thin mat that goes on the machine bed and allows the quilt to move more easily- is a huge help. I found it made a big difference.

I was glad to see somebody finally mentioned the right needle! Depending on what you are quilting on...and the thread...you MUST have the correct needle. I found when first beginning, I got some fabric with large prints and practiced following the lines. It gets you used to watching where you are going...not where you are right now. Thats a big key...don't look at your needle, look at where you are going next.

Drop your shoulders to relax. When you feel them tensing up..make an effort to breath and drop them again (take a huge gulp of wine)...then off you go again! Have fun!

I'm guessing it's a typo for darning, probably so excited to start that she couldn't type, lol

oh my gosh, I am so excited to begin free motion, after reading all the hints you gals have given. I want to say thank you - I am really enjoying all of you

Make sure to sit up a little higher so you can see what you are doing better. Add a pillow or two to your chair.

I can't say enough for the Supreme Slider, I had tried free motion off & on for years, just couldn't get the hang of it, then I used the Supreme slider-it was wonderful & helped my brain & hands get the idea to work together. I used it until I actually wore it out then discovered I didn't need it anymore, I had finally caught on. Now I love free motion & do all my quilts with free motion.
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.

I watched these viedos for hours one after another. Gee Wiz one was better then the other every one needs to go here and watch a couple of them and they are done beatifully

When you decide you are really going to like
fmq get more things for your machine to improve the quality. A bobbin case with lighter tension is the first thing I would get. Or buy another bobbin case and just slightly loosen the tension. Using a single hole needle plate also helps keep the thread from sloping around so it cuts corners on the back. Check with your dealer to see what is available for your machine. And relax and have fun. I found out on my first venture that not holding your breath helps also. Keeps you from getting a raging headache