Question
 

I would love to have a long arm machine and frame; however I am not blessed with the funds to purchase one nor do I make enough quilts to justify financing the purchase of one. I really have a hard time with FMQ. I know that everyone ways practice, practice is the key; which I have done. I can do it on small pieces, but when I get to my actual quilt it is all downhill. So I was thinking about purchasing an Lund frame. Thought this may give me more control. Have any of you ever had one? If so can you tell me how it worked for you.

I've not heard of that one myself.

The other option on a small machine is quilting in sections. I used Marti Michell's book, Machine Quilting in Sections, to make many large quilts on my DSM before I purchased my longarm.

What problems do you have when you FMQ?

mostly stitch length and problems with curves; stitches have a stretched look.

My only thought is maybe you are trying to go too fast, slow down and let the stitches flow. Hope this helps.

I started with layering the blocks with batting and backing. It was easy to machine quilt the blocks one at a time. Then I sew the quilted blocks together with strips. It's easy. Then I went to fmq two blocks at a time to a row at a time. This method is in Quilt as You Go books.

I do all queen and king quilts as QAYG. Some with sash and some not.

That is usually the problem. This might sound dumb but it helped me with getting over the hump. Run your machine at a slower speed and remember the constant speed of which the fabric moves. Do this until you are able to find by the sound of your machine that same speed. Then go try free motion at that same speed and move the fabric at the same rate that the sewing machine did. You want to match the movement of the feed dogs. I was lucky to be able to hit the same holes from the needle when backstitching. Become one with your machine. Be sure to look at where you are next going to plan on your moves. Don't look at the needle because that is where you are NOW. You need to plan in your mind where you are going next. That is where to look. Think of it as driving. You don't drive looking just at the front of your car. You look down the road to see where you are going. You look to your left and to your right. You know the speed you are going by the sound of your car. GOOD LUCK !!! :)