sounds like you are well on your way to successful FMQ. congrats

This could be a big help for myself! Thanks for posting this thread!

Duh things that I learned. Use Quilting thread on top and bottom, or at least the same thread weight. Use a quilting needle....who knew! Iron and starch....knew that. She uses a Supreme Slider, I think the thing is a PITA. Pre wind a few bobbins so you just have to drop one in. Tighten your top tension a half a number at a time, use different color threads for practice, if bottom shows on top, lossen, if top thread shows on bottom tighten, if bottom is loose tighten even if if shows a little on the top. Pull your first thread up to avoid nests.

Sit your machine to half speed no matter how hard you push down on the pedal. Then push the pedal to the max. Will keep speed consistent.

Space your hands about 4-5 inches apart with gloves on.

Do a bunch of spirals. Clockwise and counter clock wise.....after twenty or so, you will see that your tension changes as you go through the turns in certain areas.....this is YOU torquing. No amount of adjusting of your tension helps this. This "changing" of your tension happens as you FMQ because the fabric is not going in one direction. Check tension every 15 minutes or so.

Make a bunch of "worms" about three inches long. You want 8 stitches to an inch-ish. Once you can produce 8-10 stitches to an inch, then you have the feel of speed.

If you start to lose control, stop the machine, do not move your hands.

Now you know what I learned in class

Great for you!!!! I took a Class from her a couple of years ago on doing feathers and it was wonderful. She is a great quilter. I wish she would come down my way again so I can taker another one of her classes.
Have a great time!!!!

Good for you! I love to sit down and fmq on my machine. I love piecing too but there is something liberating about dropping those feed dogs and stitching in whatever direction you want. I also love to doodle on quilts.....putting in little personal messages, drawing (either freehand or premarking) and just making a quilt very personal. That is where I put "myself" into the quilt.

Enjoy and don't forget to breathe and relax while fmq. That seemed to be the biggest obstacle for students when I used to teach. Enjoy the process! :)

Sounds like you are hand piecing. Here's a hint to help get your stitches even. Don't move the point of the needle into the fabric. Rather, move the fabric up and down onto the needle. It really helps to make your stitches even.
SandyQuilter

Well, the admin still hasn't changed the error in who is responding. I am SandyQuilter from Trophy Club, Texas. sandyquilts and I are getting somewhat frustrated.

Well keep posting on what you have learned .. someone surely can use the tips . .then when you feel good about finally quilting it ..keep us posted ! YAY!!!!! for you for taking the time, energy and doing it !!!!

I think my new addiction is following SparkleJane's blog at [email protected]. She is a 12 year old quilter and absolutely enchanting and so refreshing! Her mother, Deanna Treadway, aka weddingdressblue, designed the "Film at Five" quilt on Favequilts.com and I clicked on that to see it and started reading her blog and was hooked by remarks about 'daughter and her sewing, etc.!

Good luck, seamstome, on your machine quilting class with Sharon Schamber!

Don't worry about being embarrassed with Sharon Schamber! I took several classes from her in the fall and she is delightful--never once makes you feel inadequate (and believe me, I'm quite sure I was the most inadequate FMQer in the group!). You will love her classes. Enjoy.

My friends love the pot holders I make when practicing fmq. They don't mind the wonky feathers at all. I use cotton batting cut smaller than top fabric and stitch it on 2 pieces. Put right sides together, stitch 3 sides, turn right side out and stitch the last side with a zig zag. Might as well make something while practicing!