i started with 'practice-quilts' on my frame...just wide muslin, top, bottom, batting in the middle, quilted away...gave me the opportunity to try lots of different things on one quilt top...when i know i had it 'down' then i loaded the first 'real-quilt' did a dozen practice ones though before i chanced loading something that was more important.

I wish I had your problem. My husband would love to buy me a longarm, but I have no place to put it. It would cost me $50,000 to buy one, because that would be how much it would cost for the addition to the house.

Thrift shop sheets and mayabe an old blanket for batting. Make a sandwich, and go for it. practice and practice

It's only thread and fabric. Go for it. There has to be a 1st. for everything.

I would be more than happy to send you a few tops to practice on. :)))

I have a friend who had the same problem. She sandwiched two pieces of fabric with batting and put it on her longarm. She made certain that the 2 fabrics coordinated with her breakfast nook. She quilted on that fabric....trying out different needles, thread, designs, and had a field day. When she was finally finished, she took it out of the frame and cut it into square and ovals, bound them and had a huge pile of placemats to use that really were conversation starters.

Make a quilt 'sandwich' using a solid piece of fabric, load it up, and just go for it! You will be able to see your work easily and can practice ... and mess up ... as much as you need till you get your own style going. I often reload my "practice quilt" to try out new FMQ patterns

Make yourself a practice quilt! Two pieces of fabric you don't really care about, with batting inbetween, & quilt on that first. That's what I did, & it will give you plenty of room to practice on & get the feel of your setup with. I don't plan to use this piece for anything, but it was great to practice on. I believe I made it about crib size too, doesn't have to be super big, just big enough to play & practice on!! Enjoy & practice, practice, practice. You will get over your fear before you know it!

Hello,

I have a Flynn Quilt Frame and just love it. Also use it for hand Quiltimg.

put a "practice " quilt on first and get the feel of it , then move on toy your quilts