I'm stuck...
 

Okay my fellow awesome QB people,

I have numerous (as in lots) of quilt tops that I am determined to get quilted.
I'm a mostly self taught quilter, my Nanny (grandma) showed me basic piecing and quilting all by hand years ago. I have taken a few classes at my lqs, but they don't really address choosing the quilting design aspect.

I've purchased countless machine quilting books. Including fmq, quilting with your walking foot, numerous quilting design books. I've taken many Craftsy classes. My latest is Angela Waters Shape by Shape quilting. Great class and book, too. Matter of fact all of the books, blogs, tutorials, online classes are great.

But my evidently non-creative self can't get the hang of quilting. I sit and stare at my quit blocks and I waste so much time debating "How in the heck should I quilt this??". Contrasting or complementary thread? Design?? Etc..
I usually end up doing an outline quilt (not 1/4" away, as I like it closer. But not sid because I can't stay exactly in the ditch). Or I revert back to hand quilting. Which is fine, but I so want to get going with machine quilting. And I've got numerous tops begging, "Finish us, Kif...finish us...".
I usually quilt using my Janome or my Juki. I have a brand new Grace quilting frame, I debated using my PQ-1500 or Horizon with it. My sweet hubby put frame together, I never used it (red face).
Most likely I will sell the frame, and quilt without it.
I also purchased the quilt with rulers foot and ruler set for my Horizon. Again, haven't tried it yet. Yes, I sense the pattern here, too. The problem is ME.

Thanks for abiding my long post. And for sharing your ideas.
Regards,
Kif

It sounds like you haven't found what quilting is right for you yet. Have you tried straight line quilting using that blue painter's tape. That is what works well for me....if I'm not doing SITD, which is my preferred way of quilting.

There are all kinds of straight line quilting ways that you could go with. The blue painter's tape is just so easy to use. Put it where you want and stitch next to it. You can even peel the tape off and reuse it a time or two.

And I always select a thread that just plain blends in. No contrasting here. That way I don't have to make a thread decision.

You will figure out what kind of quilting works for you. You just haven't yet. :)

Dina

Before you sell it, jump in and try it, it will take time and practice with all of your options, but half the fun is learning something new.

are you near a local quilt shop where they can direct you to a long armer who can give you a couple lessons. Your problem may just familiarizing yourself with "a' machine. Or you could take a photo of the top and print it on grid and plain paper. Put it into a 3 ring binder (plastic) sleeve. Use a washable marker and play with it. Maybe some cross hatching lines here or there. The grid paper would help or if you have electronic (EQ) software. That may help also. I say grid (1/4") paper so you can scale each square how you want.

I wouldn't get rid of those quilting machines til I've tried them out.

I think you are over thinking it. Don't think about it anymore. Put a quilt under the needle and start quilting willy nilly. I would start one of the tops that was more scrappy so the quilt pattern won't show up that much. It's fabric, it's thread, it is a sewing machine. Nothing to be anxious about.

I'll speak to the FMQ style. I also have a Horizon and LOVE it for FMQ. Here's my two cents' worth, because I've been stuck too (more like paralyzed by fear and indecision). I'm not very experienced, but I've finally overcome my fear of FMQ after doing this:

1. Make a few large practice sandwiches with fabric you don't mind throwing away eventually. Plain and dark fabric with light thread (or vice versa) works best so that you can see your stitches. The sandwiches should be about 20x20 so that you really get into the flow of a large space.

2. Since you've watched a lot of online tutes, you have the general idea. You probably have your favorite teachers as well. When someone teaches in a way you understand and are comfortable with, stick with them for your practicing.

3. Use the open toe darning foot and be sure to drop those feed dogs.

4 . I set my stitch length to 2.5 for starters. There should be just enough room under the presser foot to let your fabric slide around.

5. Meander. Don't pull or push the fabric. Go different speeds till you find your groove. Practice that. Then try spelling your name. Then make shapes--bubbles, stars, fish, feathers, leaves, whatever you want. That was fun for me when making a Minecraft quilt. I made little axes:) .

There is muscle memory to this, so no substitute for practice. But you'll never finish the quilting if you don't start. If you have a quilt for charity, make it your first practice quilt. Give yourself permission to flub. You didn't learn to walk in a day, but look at you now!

OMGosh, your DH put the frame all together and you haven't used it at all?? Why not? what is stopping you? Pick a machine and put it on the carriage and go to town. The second I was introduced to quilting on a frame I knew i would probably never hand quilt again. I told sit down machine quilting "Buhbye, don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you on the way out!" I never did get the hang of sit down FMQ on my domestic and it was not an aspect of quilting I enjoyed. And I hated making the sandwich with a white hot passion.. But whoa nelly put me in front of a frame and I am one creative happy camper. Wait, what? I don't have to make a sandwich anymore? Wait, what? I am no longer all tensed up and freaked out when it comes to quilting? Holy cow, I can make a circle instead of squarcle!

Please, try out that frame. Load up the top you don't care if you ruin and try all those fabulous designs you have been drooling over in the books. Loops, swirls, feathers, pebbles, wavy lines, straight lines everything you have read and dreamed about. Sometimes all it takes is to try and get rid of the fear. So ditch your fear, not your frame!

Most quilters are afraid of making a mistake. FEAR stops us.
Put muslin top, batting, and a muslin backing on and Practice!

Draw squares with ink or pencil and decorate them with thread. You can do this!!!!! Everything has a learning curve. Give yourself the opportunity to soar, YES, you eventually will. Don't give up.

Great advice Feline Fanatic.

I quilt on my Janome and now on a Pfaff and I find the hardest part is just actually getting started. So stop putting it off and give everything a try. Make up scrap sandwiches so you don't feel you "have to get it right" because that's probably the feeling that is holding you back.

Once you take that first step and relax more about what you are doing you will get into the creative groove and start loving it.

Thank you ALL for great advice! I absolutely agree that I'm an over thinker, pick out any stitch that looks bad kind of gal (my dh has told me he thinks I enjoy taking my work out more than the actual quilting). I never seem to critique anyone else's work, tho. I know that's how it usually goes.

I don't plans to sell any of the machines, but am seriously considering selling the frame. And yes, my dh is a gem for putting up the frame and putting up with me!
I will give these ideas a go and try to stop over analyzing everything.

Regards, Kif

I was in a similar spot and here is what I did: I took some of those quilting designs (meander, swirls, loop-di-loos, feathers, etc.) and practiced them with pencil on a sketch pad. I have PAGES of these doodles and the more I did them, the more comfortable they became (and the more consistent). Then I took a table runner and did my SID first. I MADE myself just to get started. Pick one (or more) of the overall designs and go to town. It is very freeing once you jump into the deep end (so-to-speak).

I get it. My FMQ still isn't great and I sometimes have a brain freeze too trying to decide how to quilt. I found a FMQ pattern last night that makes sense to me. Check out Wendy Sheppard's blog "Thread Talk" re: FMQ. This led me to tutorial sit "Ivory Spring". Lots of pictures w/explanations. The one I like is called vines and something ... its on purple fabric and it looks like the letter "c" with a tale and they are turned in different directions. I can wrap my brain around the "c" better than a meander. Hope this helps.

Don't throw out your practice pieces! Your local humane society can use them for the animals so they don't have to lay on a cold floor or wire cage. And they don't care what your quilting looks like!

If I get stuck, I go look at how other quilter's have quilted the quilt. Sometimes the quilt tells me how to quilt it. I love cross hatching like Dina said but I also like to do what will improve but not compete with the pieced quilt. I like the look of tradition hand quilting so that is usually the direction I take with my machine quilting on my older model Bernina.

Feline--too funny and too true! Kiffie--please,please,please before you sell your frame, load it with either a quilt that you are willing to "sacrifice" or just a solid fabric and go to town! NO it won't look like Angela Walters or Judy Madsen or Amanda Murphy or Claudia Pfeil when you first start out--or maybe never. But you may be the next national level quilter and we'll all get to say, we remember when... Seriously! Nothing to lose here. If you imbibe, have a drink and relax and just play on it. And as others have said, sketching and doodling are a must, too. When I have quilts I'm at a loss on what to quilt (usually sampler quilts for me) I take a picture of each block, print it and then put my clear plastic over it and start drawing.

I don't throw out my practice pieces. I honestly don't have many, because I will take out the stitches and quilt by hand. That's one thing I'm trying to stop is taking out my work.
Regards,
Kif

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions! I have 3 different small panel quilts that I actually had layered ready to quilt and I'd stored them away and forgot them. So I have them out and I'm going to try out the various suggestions everyone has given me.
I'll check out Wendy Sheppard's blog. I love the idea of auditioning different designs using a clear template over the quilt.
Regarding the frame, I think I'm most worried about how long it takes and how difficult it seems to be to load a quilt onto one. But I'm certainly not accomplishing anything by sitting here am I??..:shock:

Again, thank you all for your ideas!
Regards,
Kif

Kf I have one more for you. I was having trouble with FMQ then I figured out that if I wrote a message or poem,
it was much easier. I sid to the width I want about 2" then use the edge of soap bar to mark what I want to say, and give spacing, keep the letters large, then simi follow the lines, and very soon it's just like writing just using your sewing machine instead of a pen. I relaxed and enjoyed myself. I then realized the words contained most of the shapes I needed . FMQ much easier now. Think of all the things you can say on a baby quilt.

I have always had trouble deciding on a fmq pattern. What I decided was to do shadow or straight lines. From this stage I moved to other shapes when I felt comfortable. You have to learn to crawl, walk and then run ages later and finally hop and skip . Follow all the advice on here and just think I will do it, I can do it. Don't sell the frame once you are more confident it doesn't take long to load"

take a cheap step and buy used bed sheets to practice thats how i practice quilting on frame, old used sheets that i don,t care of making mistakes on and throw out

Thanks ladies!

Windblown,
What a great idea! I'm not sure I'm getting the sid part, tho. Do you mean you do sid 1st, and then go back and mark like lines on a paper to follow when you do the fmq writing? (similar to when writing cursive on ruled paper was taught back in the day..though you may not be an old-ish gal like me...lol)
I can say when I have practiced on say a 12" square, writing my name is easier than stippling is for me.

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions! I'm actually kinda excited about giving them all a go. And I'm going to make a deal with myself in writing here...I will NOT go back and rip out any of the fmq stitches. Yikes, just writing that is a bit nerve wracking...I really do need to loosen up.

Quiltingshorttimer,
I don't imbibe, but maybe I should...haha

As Feline fanatic said, I will ditch my fear and not the frame. At least until I try it.:)

Warm Regards all,
Kif

You mentioned something about deciding how you want to quilt a top. I just read a book, Listen to Your Quilt, by Barbara Persing. She gives excellent tips for analyzing the top and answering four basic questions about it. She provides several examples. I bought my copy through Amazon to keep the cost down. Used copies are available through Amazon, too.

I know I will find it easier to decide how I want to quilt my future projects! So keep trying and keep us posted on how you are doing...we are all rooting for you!

You need to just jump in. The water's fine. Many of us are too critical or our own work. I can't get the hang of staying exactly on the line for stitch in the ditch, but I have also found no one who receives my quilts complains about it. Try free motion using your machine with the frame, once I tried it I love it. It is sooo much easier. When I can't decide on what color to use I go with invisible thread on top and match the bobbin thread to the back.

Just do it! It will not be perfect ... but that's OK. In a while ... once you relax ... it will be great.
Honestly we are our own worst critics ....

I found the easiest for me was using a kids panel and outlining EVERYTHING. It taught me control (similar to following your own cursive), gave me confidence and gave me the freedom to try a few new designs within the smaller spaces. Kids aren't going to critique your work................then donate to a worthy cause. I still have the problem of deciding what to put where, within my capabilities LOL but I don't make show quilts, so just jump in and start. Personally, stippling makes me more nervous, and I find it easier to do loops, but I usually try at least one new design on every quilt, even if it is in a small area. I also keep a sampler of what quilting patterns I can do well, seen here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t271966.html as kind of a library to remind me. Here is how I store them:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]543423[/ATTACH]
I'm a bit OCD too, and used to take out my FMQing stitches, but I like using Superior Bottom Line. It is so fine that if you match your thread, it is hard to see and hides all my mistakes LOL Most of the time I want the texture, not the thread to show. Just play and your confidence will grow with each quilt top you do. Good luck.

Try not to over think things, anything you try will be a learning experience at a minimum. I would not sell that frame - time changes things and you may want it one day. Hang in there!

[QUOTE=kiffie2413;7475311]Thanks ladies!

Windblown,
What a great idea! I'm not sure I'm getting the sid part, tho. Do you mean you do sid 1st, and then go back and mark like lines on a paper to follow when you do the fmq writing? (similar to when writing cursive on ruled paper was taught back in the day..though you may not be an old-ish gal like me...lol)
I can say when I have practiced on say a 12" square, writing my name is easier than stippling is for me.

Kif sorry That sid part was not very clear was it. Yep exactly like (penmanship class)so now you know how old I am
lol.. . I had several baby strip quilts, so I sid 2" apart then used the soap sliver to write on the quilt top I follow this somewhat after I get going, it's just there to keep size and word spacing correct, nursery rhymes, names,dates anything. The soap will wash right out when you are finished. Everyone seems to love the ones I have given them.
Kasey

I feel your fear, but you can do this! Put your big girl panties on and just do it! Of course it won't be your best work, buy you will NEVER learn if you don't make yourself begin. What is that saying. " a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ) 0r something like that. Is there anyone you know who could come and sit with you and talk you through the process while you do the work? Stay calm, get a big mug of hot tea and begin. Let us know how you are doing. In fact, report in to the group every day for a few days so you can hold yourself accountable! We will be waiting to hear from you!

I understand where you are now because I was like that too. I made dog beds for shelters at first with my practice quilts using two pieces of fabric I didn't want, batting didn't matter. I found out that I could do it and they looked pretty good for simple stipples and meandering stars. The thread color knowledge came along too. I am just a beginner but I have finished about 8-10 quilts and I keep learning. Good luck.

None of us are perfect. I've been quilting for nearly 30 years, my quilts still have mistakes, however the people who receive my quilts don't see them. Give yourself permission to have fun and just play.
Sharon in Texas

Put one of your machines on the frame, load the easiest quilt top you have made, and just go for it. No one will pay any attention to how well you do, but you. (Unless you put it in a show, but that is not the point.) myself, I have never wrapped up in a quilt when I was cold and took the time to see if the quilting was perfect. No one else does either. Go for it! I would love to have all those toys (oops! I meant tools, lol!) to play with. No room anyway.......

I also found it easier to buy a fabric with a design or picture and fmq around the picture or design. It taught me how to move the quilt and hand and foot coordination. I began on my 15-91 and 201. Just got a pq1500sl and frame. Huge difference in the amount of touch required. The pq foot floats on the fabric and is harder to control both on and off the frame. Maybe you should begin with fmq on your domestic without the frame. I find that was less frightening and there is more resistance so you feel more in control. Plus it uses the motions and feel that you are used to when you do your piecing.

there are long arm quilting classes one of our local shops does them, I went to one in Payson AZ that was done by quilts around the corner, I learned so much in 3 days I am totally excited and shocked at how much I didn't know and how easy it can be after taking a class

Before I had my long arm I quilted on my Janome. DH would help me mark the quilt and then I would just follow the lines. I would do a minimal amount of quilting which was good because it left the quilt soft and flexible. I used Crayola washable marker. Just be sure not to iron it. maybe your DH can help you mark it or you can discus it with a friend. I wouldn't get rid of the frame yet. It was intimidating for me to go to a frame and I am still learning but it will provide so much freedom, give accuracy and speed up your quilting.

I just want to say how AWESOME all of you are for taking the time to give me hints, tips, suggestions, encouragement, and even a lil "tough love". :).

I will not sell the frame yet. I promise.
I have my 3 small pre-printed panels ready to fmq. I am not going to take any of the stitching out, and I will definitely report in with pics. Gasp! That kinda scares me a bit, but as suggested, I'm putting on my big girl (granny) panties and jumping in!

Quilttiger,
I'll check out that book. I really need to clear out many of the ones I currently have. Amazon is a weakness for me, especially where books are concerned.

EmiliasNana,
Love the swatch idea!

Windblown,
Thanks for the clarification. I think you explained it just fine the 1st time, probably my comprehension was "off".

Regards,
Kif

Kif, we can be our own worst critics, and we need to stop this, smile. So many times, I have cringed at my little oopsy mistakes while using my mid-arm quilting machine. Guess what, every time I unload a quilt from the frame, it looks darn good!

I took a class in FMQ from a long-arm quilt shop and one of the best things I learned was to get a piece of plexi glass and put blue tape around the edges. Use a dry air marker and practice making designs. You have to be able to do the design with your hand before you can master it on the machine. I drew a design 40-50 times on the glass and then just wiped it off and started over until I felt I had mastered it. It really took away the intimidation.

Thank you all! I'm planning to try some fmq hopefully this weekend. I did lots of doodling with my 2 grandkids yesterday. Hopefully it'll carryover to my fmq.
Regards,
Kif