I was a nervous wreck the first few times I did FMQ and then I read a post by a member that said she always ended up with her shoulders so tight she hurt. So I relaxed and what a difference. Practice in this instance is the best way to get what you what. The last one I did I traced the pattern I wanted and just stitched through the paper. It was easy and came out beautifully. I am in awe of those who can just picture what they want and sit down and do it. I am not one of those people. My first attempt at feathers looked like a bowl of spaghetti had been dumped on my quilt. Drawing them first made all the difference in the world. Also I finally bought the FMQ foot that is designed for my machine and that has made things so much better, saving money is one thing; but if I had just bought the correct foot in the first place I would have been way ahead of the game. Don't give up, practice, relax and try to keep in mind that quilting is suppose to be fun and there are no quilt police.

One thing that has not been mentioned here are the GLOVES. You can use your kitchen gloves or just the tips once cut from the gloves or quilting gloves from the LQS. Any gloves w/little grippies on the palm/fingers. It is so important to be able to grip the fabric. Grabbing handfuls of fabric just doesn't work for me. Some have used damp (not wet) sponges.

Also, when FMQ, make a nest of the area you want to quilt. And make sure the other area of the quilt are supported and not causing DRAG on the area are quilting. I have two cheap (Goodwill-$3) ironing boards to my front and left for support. Once you feel drag, stop and rearrange your quilt top. Keep your nest smooth. And try to tell yourself where to go next and then slowly FMQ to that area.

I have a 20x20 layered piece that I practice on before starting on a project. I can get to feel the FMQ movement as well as being able to check my stitches before moving on. And like others have stressed: PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND PRACTICE. You will only get better.

Hope this helps.

I plan to draw on tissue paper, then pin it to the sandwich, and follow the lines as close as I can when I do try FMQ. I'm not sure where I saw the idea, but it will keep me from making a mess I hope. I will try it on a sample first. I will use tissue paper so I can tear it away easily when I am done. I'll let you know how well it works.

It helps if you have a good sized chalkboard or dry-erase board and trace the pattern repeatedly, over and over and over. That helps you build up what they call "muscle memory" and also helps to train your brain for the pattern.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet on this thread, although I read thru them pretty quick so I apologize if this is a repeat, and perhaps it seems obvious, but to me, it made all the difference in the world with my FMQing and it just sort of happened for me, but it wasn't right away. But when it did, it was indeed and Ah Ha moment. Just like you drive a car, watch where you are going when you are quilting. Don't watch the needle. You can practice this when you draw too and you will find your drawing will improve as well and give you the practice of watching where you want to go. Just try quilting a straight line and look ahead to your target destination. Your line will be straighter. It will come, don't give up!

Vitality...Thank you much for Leah Day's youtube link...This is free or us, and she is so GOOD at explaining and making it look easy!

I've found that a 'filler' type design is easier for me to do than the meanders. I would much rather quilt the little clamshells (paisley) than stipple! For me it's how far you have to move the fabric. Big long lines or arcs are more difficult to do on a little domestic machine. Plus they need to flow a lot so there isn't a very natural stopping point. Here's leah Day's link to the Paisley: http://www.leahday.com/project0paisley/. Practicing this design a bunch really helped me become more confident. I like this one because there is a natural 'point' to pause and adjust your position at the bottom of each paisley.