I put the quilt together and made diagonal lines with the walking foot. So far so good. Now I would like to add some FMQ.................I am so scared to mess all up!!
Do you mark the pattern first or is it called "free" because you really go free. Does marking even help if you want to free motion quilt?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Granny

The "Free" in Free Motion Quilting is for you are FREE to do anything you want. If you want to chalk the design on first and try to follow the lines--go for it. If you want to just do loops and meanders--go for it. Either way, you'll want to make a puddle around the needle area with your quilt, relax and just go with the flow. Concentrate on just the few inches all around your needle,

Don't forget to drop the feed dogs and put on your darning foot.

If you want to follow a pattern, but not mark the fabric, try using sulky solvy. It's clear water soluable. I mark a pattern with crayola washable markers and pin it to the fabric. Once quilted, tear away the larger pieces and the rest will wash away in the laundry. The key is lots of practice!

thanks

I heard about this tips years ago & swear by it-with FMQ use a stretch needle, (a ball point needle meant for knits) It has a longer scarf where the thread lies & makes a huge difference in preventing skipped stitches, especially when you get going too fast or gong around a curve. I love my Stretch needles.
Maire

OMG - the doorbell just got me out of a weird dream and yes it was about FMQ, it realy bugs me :oops: Thanks so much for your advice and keep your fingers crossed.

BTW it was the mailcarrier with 35 yards of fabric - had to cash the costs of custom.
Maybe I play a bit with the new fabric first to relax, a glass of wine wont be an option this time of day...........

Granny

I've never heard of a stretch needle who makes this? Now I know that a top stitching needle is very good to because of what you stated, is this the same thing?

As far as FMQ, make sure you practice with a sandwich first and adjust your tension (or eyelashes will happen). For me I find that if I go at a med speed I have more control of what I'm doing. That way its not stressful for me with the machine going at sonic speed and me trying to keep up!! :lol: :lol:

[quote=sewcrafty]I've used Organ & Schmetz, both good. I usually use Schmetz just because I can stock up when Joann's has the 50% off notions sales.
There are probably other brands also.
Maire

I use topstitching needs most of the time for FMQ and have to make myself remember that just because my JUKI stitches 1500spm I don't have to go that fast...especially arouond curves. I think the speed creates the eyelashes more than tension.