Should I use this for my first attempt at all over FMQ?
 

I have stuck mainly with straight line quilting, and I know I could do that pretty easily with this top. Since I used all fabrics from my stash (except the sashing) and it was quick, I would not be upset over even major mistakes.

My biggest concern is that I quilt on my kitchen table so my machine is not flush with the surface of the table. I do not know if I could tackle this kind of project with my current set up.

Do any of you quilt without a flush mount set up?

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I love your quilt, and to answer your question, I quilted a very large lap quilt with my 301 on my dining room table. I have since found a cabinet I could jerry rig for her. I did use a yard of plastic with a hole cut for the needle and, don't laugh, several stacked hard cover books under it to make a larger area level with the machine - in the front and on the left.

I'm not laughing. I'm thinking about trying it.

Thank you!

Hmm that's a good idea.Maybe I can get a few pieces of wood and cut a hole for the machine,stack em up and put something slippery on it. If only I had a jig saw :)

Edit: BTW, those greens are not that bright. I tried to fix the colors on the picture but the lighting in the room killed it.

It will be easier if you have the machine flush with the table surface. There is a method to get thick styro-foam and make an extenson to go around your machine. You put plastic sheeting over the styro-foam to make the surface slick. The instructions are on the internet somewhere.

Not sure how big your top is, but I have done SID without a flush mount on a 48x60. Simple blocks like yours. Also have done straight lines on one that size. Just my machine on a table. I do use a walking foot. It did take quite a bit of upper arm strength.

Sure you can. Even if you make a mistake you will not see it when it is finished. If you can do straight lines you can do this great quilt. I know it is the jumping in sometimes that slows us up so here is a gentle push in the back to just do it. We all know here, it will be fantasitc.

First, that is a lovely quilt top. You can do straight stitch quilting, but as others have said, it is physically hard work with lots of starting and stopping. One thing you could do is purchase a half sheet of composite topped with Melamine, a white plastic like formica. Cut a hole for your machine. Put blocks (books, or whatever) under it to bring it level with the machine's work surface. You will have a solid surface that can be stored behind a dresser or some such when not in use. A friend's hubby bought an old, oak desk and cut a hole in that for the work surface, but I gather you have a space issue as well.

The top is 52 by 68.

Straight lines I can do, have wrestled most of my quilts through my machine ... there is just some major fear here with FMQ but I love the look.... so thanks for the push:)

Holice: I will look for some instructions :) styro-foam may be easier than wood and I wont need that jig saw! hehe

QM: Space is only an issue if I was getting a whole different table, but a surface like the one you suggest would work. I do have a few places I could stash it away.

Thank you all...this place is so awesome. I feel encouraged to look into the solutions suggested, I want to break away from the straight linnneeess... especially now that I rigged up the FMQ foot.

It's a lot easier if you have a flat surface to work on. Here are links to Youtube videos that show how to create a styrofoam surround for your sewing machine. My dh made one for me, and it works great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14go...ure=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25...ure=plpp_video