I learned by just doing SID and straight line designs first. When I started FMQ, I found the most frustrating part was getting the sewing machine to act well. Out of 10 machines I had at the time, only 1, an old mechanical Bernina 931 was the only one that would ALWAYS act nice, even if my work & stitches were poorly shaped.... Once I figured that out, practicing became fun because I wasn't always fighting the machine. So if you have different machines you might want to try them all out to find out which one feels the best for FMQ.

I read a book. Sat down and tried to do what it said. Eventually, I learned enough to be acceptable for what I need.

I wanted to learn so I just worked at it until I could do it. My DM was a hand quilter but with RA in my hands I knew the only way I was going to make it work for me was with my machine. I cut out practice blocks and worked with them until I had it down right. I tied my first quilt and machine quilted my second and was so proud of it. When I got my walking foot it made it much better. Just keep at it and you will learn very quickly.

I put on a hopping foot, dropped the feed dogs and went for it. Lots of eyelashes on the back but the front looked great. It was a baby size quilt.

I am self-taught. I saw a video on meandering and was working on an antique baby quilt and I just meandered around the teddy bears. I was scared blue, but I do love a challenge and it came out awesome. Since then, I've done a study of others quilting that I like and have been getting better. Since Christmas this year, I've signed up for two classes on Craftsy that are great and I'm enjoying them. I'm learning various designs in the classes, but the last one I got talks about breaking up spaces and transitioning designs. I love it!! I quilt all my own quilts on my DSM.

self taught, just like most of my endeavors.

I'm another mostly trial and error (plenty of error!) person. What has worked best for me has been making sure my backing/batting was smooth and securely basted, whether with pins or glue basting. I'm getting a little more adventurous lately but I still prefer very simple quilting. Straight lines or stitch in the ditch seem to be easiest for me.

With the walking foot, it was mostly trial & error -- with some phone coaching from my grandmother. I had a vintage Singer & there was only one type of walking foot I could find for my machine & no special adjustments to settings on my machine so it was fairly straightforward. I just set my stitch length to 8-9 stitches per inch (3mm)and started stitching away. If you can start on a lower loft cotton batting like Warm & Natural or Quilters Dream Request, that will make things easier for you. (yes, there are many wonderful battings out there -- my personal favorite is Warm & Plush 100% cotton, and I also like Hobb's Heirloom 100% wool, but those are somewhat more challenging to feed through the machine)

For FMQ, my first lessons were online classes with Leah Day via YouTube. There are many things you need to know besides the proper foot to even remotely successfully execute a FMQ design: drop/cover the feed dogs (usually), set stitch length to 0, how far apart to space the quilting lines, marking, speed on a straighter section vs going around a curve, how to load the quilt, how to hold the quilt, etc. I definitely recommend some kind of class for that. If you can get to a live class, that's almost always the best choice. If there either aren't any nearby or you have a disability (like I do) that may prevent you from sitting through hours of instruction at a time, there are many wonderful online classes. I've taken classes online with dozens of different instructors at this point -- plus a few live classes -- and still think that Leah Day offers the best beginning-to-quilt classes on FMQ. Here's the link to the series that I recommend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFcI...1F4B76430BB141

I had to learn myself with the help of Internet and people who gave free designs, including those in magazines, I traced the designs on lightweight tracing paper and pinned
To quilt sandwich, then using the free motion quilting foot and lowering the feed dogs I practiced stitching on the lines!! Then ripped off the paper! Sometimes using a tweezers! A water soluable paper would of been awesome!!! Wish they made one!!!

They do.....

Hi Butterfli19/Nancy,
I am self taught, have used quite a few machines over the last 30 years. I found this book to be very helpful. http://tinyurl.com/jtq7z5f


I have been machine quilting since 1992 and have learned so much from other quilters,books and videos. The best advice I can give to prevent tucks in the back is to lay your backing out on a table or floor and tape it down, so that its taut; but not overly stretched. Make sure that your quilt is supported all around so that it doesn't drag when you move it as you quilt.
When you're using a walking foot and come to an area that is a bit puffy, feed that area toward the foot.
Above all relax!! Keep your shoulders down and don't tense up. This is supposed to be fun.
Sharon in Texas

I'm self taught with everything quilting. My quilt friend told me to just not cross lines and I started freeform quilting. I'm not saying that I didn't make mistakes but I didn't let that stop me.. I've never had any problems with bunching on the back I think it's because I pin a lot. I've just started line quilting and found that much easier, ofcourse using a walking foot. I'm a self taught quilter and hadn't sewn before starting quilting. I've always had a hobby but never one I have enjoyed as much as quilting. It's now 8 years since I started quilting and I just keep finding new quilting projects to try. Don't forget no quilt police and you will see your mistakes but most people won't and will think what you do is fantastic. This is my first try at line and freeform in a quilt.[ATTACH=CONFIG]566728[/ATTACH] quilting

Many years ago I was asked to leave a local quilt store with my sleeping infant cause they "don't allow unruly kids and you won't have time anyhow." So I went to JAF and got books on Amazon and taught myself how to make clothes and blankets and quilts. You'll do just fine, get fabrics you love, and start stitching. I have no regrets, best hobby ever! It's my therapy ;)

I'm not coordinated enough to do the free motion quilting (not that I haven't tried) but I definitely agree with you, the gloves are so helpful and the slider still works (even after sewing it down). I haven't given up. YET!!!

I started machine quilting in 2002. No way would I ever Hand quilt again. The first attempt at FMQ is a quilt we use the most. The FMQ was very bad but helps me see where I started. I have made many, many quilts since.
I pin baste, use hi-loft polyester batting and it works very well for me. I wash and dry the quilts afterward and that hides many flaws. Just do it.

I didn't know any better and it was the only choice for me other than tying. I can't afford to hire it done and am physically not able to do it by hand. That leaves machine quilting. I do mostly straight line stitching; outline quilting and very little else.
I use safety pins for layering, lots of them, and rarely have a problem with pleating in the backing. I do also lessen the presser foot pressure so the fabric moves easier.

Wildyard, I'm also physically unable to quilt or sew by hand. I do everything everything by machine. I can FMQ but I have to take tons of breaks and wear braces. I hear you :)

We just go to show that where there is a will there is a way. There are many of us on this board and elsewhere in the quilting world who do what we have to so that we can keep the joy of creativity and quilting in our lives!!

I'm still looking for a way to do quilting as you go without the hand sewing step. Anyone who comes up with it, be sure to share with the rest of us!!! Hugs and smiles.!

HUGS back! It's nice to know that I'm not alone :)

Just discovered Jacque Gering's Craftsy class on "Creative Quilting with your Walking Foot." Very good class, I'm working on FMQ but she's given me so many ideas on what to do with a walking foot! Wanted to post this for others to see, highly recommend the class. If you like having a text, she's got a similarly titled book on Amazon. Can't wait for another friend to get pregnant so I can practice ;)