really?
 

With practice I will be able to quilt my own work? I've spent six weeks and a lot of money practicing and still not even close to being ready to do the real thing. I have made so many sandwiches I've filled a dumpster. Is it possible that I just don't own that skill? At what point do I cry Uncle?

Have you taken a class in how to do it? Maybe if you have a friend or an instructor watch what you do then find out what you are doing wrong, or are you being too critical of your work?

Hey! I'm in Michigan too! What part of Michigan are you in? PM me; if we are close I would be willing to help in person!

I've been told to hang in there .... and now I can see improvement (but still not as good as I'd like to be). I practice on mug rugs and placemats and small quilts for the dogs.

I bet if you look at your first attempt and then at your last you will notice a world of difference. You will get better each time. Greatness may not come for several years down the road but each attempt will be better than the last.

I too am frustrated by my lack of skill with machine quilting. I am determined not to give up and am continuing to rip stitches and re-do 'til I get it right.

There is a book titled The Outliers in which the author explains it takes 100 hours of practice to be really good at something. So, the phrase: practice, practice, practice is actually true. Of course, some of us take a bit longer.

Have more patience with yourself. I've interviewed some very good professional longarm quilters about their beginnings. Most tell me they practiced for at least 6 to 18 months before feeling comfortable quilting someone else's quilt.

I agree with the others. If you don't feel that you are making progress at all, maybe it's time to take some classes, attend some lectures, have someone come in and observe you and give you suggestions.

Only 100 hours? I guess it totally depends on what...playing the piano--or maybe one piece. ice skating? Wow..I'll bet those skaters practice hours per day! And they didn't just start last year. Now, writing the letter "a"...okay....but writing--as in writing a book?

I think I'd have said a whole lot longer than 100 hours.

Welcome back! I bet you won't miss the European prices, lol!