I want to practice free motion quilting...can I do it just on a single piece of fabric or does it have to be sandwiched with the batting to effectively practice doing it? Up to this point, I either stitch in the ditch, do x's in blocks, or tie. Thanks for any help :)

I would practice with a similiar sandwich to what your quilt will be.

Single layers of fabric would not give you the tension you are looking for in a quilt. I use off-white cotton and scraps of batting for my practice pieces. I have pieces around 4 inches wide by 12 inches long. Let's me practice all of the movements, or test threads.

Do this, make potholders for everybody you know....it will give you lots of practice and make something usefull at the same time, The more you do free motion, the more it will fine ok for you........I find that if I dont worry about things like "crossing" a line, etc, it works better......loops are fun, so are hearts........have FUN!

I wasn't smart enough to ask this question when I started practicing free motion. I used a single fabric and felt like such a failure at it. Then one day when I had left over borders from a quilt I had trimmed I tried free motion on it and it turned out much better. So the answer is use fabric that has been sandwiched with batting.

Somewhere along the line, I saw a recommendation to use felt squares/rectangles that you pick up in the craft department for 15 cents each or whatever it is now. They're small enough that you don't feel like you're fighting to control the piece, and because they're a little thicker than fabric alone, they're similar to the weight of using the three layers. It gives you the opportunity to practice a particular design without spending a lot.

When practicing a new design for FMQ, I use flat sheets that I find a garage sales,thrift shops, etc. In the middle, I use old mattress covers or blankets. My family, immediate, sisters and Mom, I have asked to keep a look out for these things. I practice the new design, flip the edges over and machine bind. Usually, I remember if someone gave me the stuff and ask if they would like a throw blanket for their contribution to my practice sessions or their money back. Everyone to date has chosen the throw. I alway practice with the piece sandwiched. When I am satisfied with the design, then I quilt on something nice.

I have taken a couple of classes in FMQ and we always used a quilt sandwich.

Love the idea of using felt squares...very economical.