If I have to rip out these stitches one more time...
 

...I am gonna scream!

I think I almost did, too. I finished the quilt top yesterday for one of my granddaughters, sandwiched and pin basted it, and then started FMQing. Arrrggghh!! I just couldn't handled the extra bulk of the quilt and ended up ripping out the first few lines of stitches three times. I used an additional table to support the rolled up quilt on the back side of my machine plus my machine has a good sized throat. My problem was more with the bulkiness of the quilt in my lap since I started in the center. Now my quilt is at my LQS to be done on her LA. I gave up trying to do it myself. I can do small projects and be satisfied, but not my first large quilt.

Not the same, but just finished a photo quilt and when I washed it, 3 of the 15 pictures messed up!!,Now have to reprint, and am going to try to cut out the bad squares and sew the new pictures in their place!! I wasn't sure if should scream or cry! My daughter wanted this to take out of state when she goes to see her grandmother. It is the entire extended family..And this is all for my EX mother in law who is in her 80's and very ill!!!

That's the very reason why I just can't see myself quilting on my DSM.

it does take practice to manage to free motion quilt on your domestic machine- it is best to practice, practice, practice- when you are happy with the quilting on a small (like 20" square) piece then try a 36" piece- then 48" ect- work your way up until you are quilting large quilts- you might want to check around & see if there is a beginner quilting class in your area- when i first took one at the lqs we made twin sized turning 20's - the class really helped learning tips/techniques for manuvering the bulk (mine was a flannel one-both sides)
after quiting 2 or 3 twins i went to a full- then a queen- i am presently quilting (on the domestic machine) a whole-cloth queen- i have a friend who does king sized quilts often & quilts them all on her domestic- it just takes practice & patience to get there.

Funny you mention a Turning Twenty...I've got a lap size one almost ready to quilt for granddaughter #2. That one will go to my LQS & her LA for completion. If I had the funds, I'd buy my own system. One of these days...

I thought I was going to scream last sunday, and again today. does not make me happy.

That is so frustrating!

A few days ago I had to walk away from a quilt as well. I started sweating like a pig under all that bulk in my lap and I started messing up badly. I still cannot look at that quilt because I know how much ripping I have to do. I started on a new project quite content with the idea that I am now a proud owner of a UFO. It is my first. I celebrated with a glass of wine.

I got out the chocolate!! Thank goodness for my LQS! It was good just to go there and vent. And look at fabric. :)

Frustration with trying (many, many times) to FMQ and getting nowhere, is why I purchased my Voyager 17 and Hinterberg frame. True, I had to go through a learning curve with it, but once past that, I've been a happy quilter:)

I feel your pain! I was in the middle of FMQ a king sized bed runner yesterday and then everything went kerplooey! After the 10th (!) time ripping out the stitches in that section, I turned off the machine. I tried everything yesterday and finally decided it was in both our best interest's to walk away. I went back upstairs after church today and had no problem finishing the quilt.

I feel your pain! This morning I was FMQ and my top thread kept breaking. I'd rip out several inches of stitches and start over. Finally, I cleaned out the machine. Actually, I didn't see any lint. I oiled it. Put in a new needle and re threaded it. The sample turned out fine; but I had to go out of the state. I am hoping the thread will not break when I get back to it as I am almost through with the quilting.

I was having the same issue...I ended up trying a blue needle for jeans and that worked...no more breaking trhead when FMQ'ing...if may be the size of your needed.

The group I belong to quilt large quilts in sections.
Double say 2 sections leave joining the row of stitching all the way down centre.
Sandwich one half and quilt as you wish.
Repeat sandwich and quilting on the other half.
Tip: leave about one inch free of quilting down the centres of both halves.
No join the top of. Quilt as you would have done.
Place on a flat surface and level off batting/wadding and hand join.
Now put the backing over each other and hand stitch .
Then just finish off quilting lines( sorry this is bulky but one row only)

Larger quilts could go incorrect sections or do the sashing joining. Technique .
Hope it his is useful

Totally understand; I hate ripping out stitches as well. What is worse than ripping them out of FMQ is when you have to rip out them from an embroidery design. It's very hard to do and not mess up your fabric at the same time. The stitches are very dense. I'm taking a class on a long arm this weekend. We are also supposed to be learning about doing things that aren't quilting with it so I'm excited.

I took Leah Days suggestion of suspending queen and king quilts from the ceiling. I just finished a king size on my 6600, it made a difference.

JulieM

edited to add url http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...ang-it-up.html