Pause the quilt’s movement, but not the needle, whenever you change direction. Corners and other directional changes are where tension problems often show up. Just slow down and pause for a heartbeat before you head off in the next direction. The close stitches will relieve some of your tension difficulties.

Great idea, Craftybear. If you can take a class, that helps. If you can't, get a book or find some tuts on line and practice making circles. I'll even go over a new pattern I want to use on some sandwiched fabric with no thread, just to get the flow of the pattern.

Take a two minute break after about 20 minutes of FMQ. You will find that your shoulders start to tense if you FMQ too long.

Practice drawing fmq to develop muscle memory. A white board is awesome, but you can also use paper. If you are having a terrible time with a pattern and can draw one or copy one, practice tracing it over and over.

Keep some 12 or 14 inch squares sandwiched together and practice each time for 5 to 10 minutes before working on your project. It gets you in the flow of the movement.

I was told you have to practice, practice, practice.

I was having trouble with my free motion quilting, in that my stitches were to small looking. Someone suggested slowing down. I set the speed control way down and now the stitching is looking great. I' am going back now to practice some more. I also was told practice, practice, practice. Thank you to the person who informed me to slow down. I am so happy. Sew you later.

I just bought, with a 40% off coupon, The Fabulous Fabric Glide from my LQS. It is easier than what I have been doing with FMQ on my sewing machines. It is made by the folks at the gypsy quilter.

ali