I just read the first page of this thread so if I repeat something that was said, I'm sorry. Do you know someone in town that also quilts that can show you and coach you? Maybe join the local quilt quild and have someone from there coach you. I am real lucky to have my DW as my teacher and coach because I learn best by watching and asking questions, without someone there it makes learning that much tougher. If you have no one available, you might make a small throw-away quilt (made from scrap or cheap material) maybe six squares by six squares to use as a practice platform and use different color thread for the different practice patterns. When you're done throw it away or keep it as a sample. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the recommendation; I have ordered this book from the UK. Hugs from me

I am trying to get some tops finished. The one I am working on I started hand quilting...well I did some and its not flat and a bit off, so I'm tying that sucker lol :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I haven't quilted a TON of quilts, but I get nervous every time I start one. I've free motioned and SID (probably the thing i hate to do the most), but my recommendation is to just jump in with both feet. Even if you make mistakes with FMQ, once it's all done, no one can tell, and sometimes you can't either. tee hee Jump in and enjoy... that's what it's all about anyway.

Boy, can I relate! I have a shelf full of ready to quilt tops. But, I've started - I started by making a sandwich of muslin and batting and started practicing. I did that for quite a while and still practice before I start on a top.
Can you make a few small wall hangings for yourself and quilt those first before you tackle a full size quilt?
Good luck, Karen

when I stated quilting I had no ideal how to quilt the top, so what I did I tie all my quilts, about the 5th quilt I wanted more so I took a class on how to quilt your top and now I do my own quilts on my Elna 3600, most of the time I do stich on the ditch and then I have done all over, the all over came really good. I have made baby quilts they are the best ones to learn from.
Stay with it and you can do it
gloria

honestly, i was terrified. it took me like 5 years to actually quilt one with free motion and not just stitch the ditch with square blocks...lol

but what i did, i read my manual for my sewing machine, then took some large scraps and flopped them together with a bit of batting in between and started trying it out. I realize your afraid of ruining all the hard work you put into the quilts already. and you will get frustrated with free motion at first. but it is practice at finding your speed with the machine verses guiding your fabric. and of course, when you are finished, you can either rip it all out or just throw it away cuz its just scrap.

I actually went to an auction and picked up a box of fabric and pillowcases that some i liked, some not so much...and prcaticed on the not so much! Good luck and you can do it for sure!!!

I have read all of the comments about the fear we all go through about the quilting part. My first class was making quilts the "way your grandmother made quilts" all by hand. I love hand piecing and hand quilting while watching TV. However it takes forever, I started making lap size quilts and that does help. When I bought my last Bernina, I got the BSR Bernina Stitch Regulator. Is is great but it is still FMQ and still takes practice to make loops and curves without little pointy things.

I have tried quilting a diagonal line on my machine from corner to corner and then following that line about and inch or so away in a grid pattern to cover the entire quilt. You can stop with that or then do the same thing in a vertical pattern. You then end of with a diamond pattern.

dont worry, that is the first problem you're having, my first one I splurge and had it done wonderful

Lots of good advice here!
I too am a newbie - took my first class in '09. That project was SID (I'm more like the MAD quilter!);
I also went to a workshop which used free motion - instructor had us practice on a scrap sandwhich - we learned a lot in 5 - 10 minutes of practice! Might also want to use a SewSlip - you'll get free-er motion (unless you have a fabric mover).
I make dog blankets for a rescue group - take some grief from the other volunteers for making pieced blankies, but it lets me practice, practice, practice!
Bet your last pieced top is better than your first - quilted projects will be the same - you'll learn something different with each one. Have fun!

My first quilting was on a baby quilt and my stitch in the ditch didn't stay even close to in the ditch, so I picked it out and changed to the 3 step zig zag stitch. That works for me but someday I will try sid again.

I'm with you girl. If at all possible take a day, travel to a class, and then practice, practice and practice some more on a sandwiched 9 patch of 8" sq. It helped me tremndously and gave me the courage to start with a twin size. Haven't done a qn. yet. Good luck.....you'll do great. :D

Hi my name is Penny and I am new to quilting to, but at christmas we needed something under the tree to protect the hard wood floors, so i sandwhiched 2 fabs and did free moition
and it wasnt perfect but i had fun. havent done a quilt yet, but am cutting fab now. good luck and have fun. from Cornelius,OR

I am also afraid. I have 2 guilts (12 squares each) that I have not even put together. By the way you are in my home town, Orlando..

The actual quilting is my least favorite part of quilting, but I find using quilt spray to hold the layers helps a whole lot. My favorite stitch is the "joining" stitch, designed to hold 2 pieces of fabric together. Since it sews on each side of the seam line, it hides any of my unintented meandering. Jump in and try--the first one is always hardest. Good luck

Here is a picture of the stitch I like to use. In the picture it looks like a zigzag stitch and it is a variation of that but it is more spread out than zigzag. Maybe something you'd like to try.

My favorite stitches for quilting in the ditch are what I call the EKG stitch ( zigs to one side, then takes a straight stitch, then zags to the other side ), and the serpentine stitch ( which is just a wavy line). I vary the width and stitch length depending on what fabric and batting I am using (do a test sample). They are probably in with your utility stitches--not the fancy decorative stitches--if your machine has separate menus. Even my most basic machine has the EKG stitch in the mending stitches. I seldom use a straight stitch because every slight wobble is so obvious. The two I mentioned are decorative and hide the wobbles nicely.

Practice by making a table runner and free motion quilt it. It will help you gain confidence. The go for it. Remember, when you get the whole thng finished, you'll love it, or give it to someone who will. And you'll get better every time! Good luck!

Hi Doda, I am a hand quilter. I know it takes longer but I love the look and they are so beautiful when they are done. I have machine quilted too, but my preference is by hand. Machine quilting is just as nice and much quicker it just takes practice. Make sure you practice on scraps first it takes a bit to get used to it. Good luck with your decision and have fun piecing away.

You can do it! Be Brave and just jump in. You will be surprised once you start, how easy it is.

don't be afraid!!!!!!!!!!! :-D i can't stress this enough!!!!!!! quilting, just like any other craft/hobby/obsession should be a way to express one self and fun. i have made a few quilts by just guessing with hand and machine sewing.( one was actually for an auction at my granddaughters pre-school, which netted them $1500. i totally passed out.LOL) am now in the process of learning actual techniques. the trick is to always be eager to learn. don't be worried if you mess up, it's all the process. Relax, and Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

I can relate. After being in a block of the month club at my LQS for several years, I finally got the courage to put a quilt together. How do people deal with moving the bulk and volume of the quilt sandwich when free motion meadering? The weight pulled the quilt so I have some very uneven stitches. I used the rubber coated garden gloves to move the quilt around, but half hour later my shoulders ached.

I haven't read all the replies and I hope I don't repeat something. Can we see a picture of the quilts?
Suggestions:
Stitch in the ditch
If you have a machine with decorative stitching, you can go over all or some of the seams with the decorative stitch. I did one with a blanket stitch and I really like the way it came out.
A lot of people still tie quilts.
Criss cross the squares or blocks
Use a stencil or two. If I could see the quilts, I'd have a better ideas. Now I'll go back and look to see if you already posted pics. ERRRRR.

Maybe put together a small sandwich of cheaper fabric & batting and practice before you tackle a quilt. That may help you relieve that fear & you can get the feel of it. Then there is always handquilting. I really do enjoy that. It is slow but enjoyable.

[quote=Shirley41]I am a newbie too and I am with you. Just realized that we were not alone. The veterans were so positively motivating & encouraging. I can see why I love this board more.
:thumbup:

This is the same problem I have. I have the quilt tossed over my shoulders, spread out on my sewing table. I have tried the c clamps that roll it up, that seemed to be the worst. Then the hot flashes kick in and I get frustrated. I think that is why I like handquilting. :oops:

I have that same trouble machine quilting. It makes me so tense and frustrated. Mt. Mama, I am right there with you I hand quilt for those same reasons. I know it takes longer but I am never tense hand quilting.

Hello dsj, I almost give up with quilting. I will follow you, rather than frustrating with machine quilting and resulting clumpsy & ugly quilts, I think hand quilting should be another smart option to try. I do not mind if it takes longer coz I don't sell my quilts anyway, no time target, no sales target, but my crafts will brighten my bedroom. I do have a question though if you do not mind to share with me, how do you hand stitch your quilts? I am not familiar with hand-sticthes terms, but is it you start with your needle from the back of the sandwich up to the quilt top, then from the top stitch down to the back of the sandwich again? Thanks a lot. :thumbup: :D

I Emma, I would love to help you. I will pm you to give more detail. Check your pm.

Emma check your pm I didn't realize you are from Indonesia, I am in the USA. So nice to meet you and I hope I helped you a little.