Success!! (and a question)
 

I finally found the groove!

I've been trying to FMQ for a few months and it seems like one thing or another wasn't working for me. I started out on a little Singer that has no throat space and it really did the best job, I think because my hands were right around the area to be quilted. Then I tried an Elna with more throat space, and it was skipping stitches and breaking needles. Now I'm on a mid-arm and same problems. I'm sure the problem is ME instead of the MACHINES so I keep trying. I have a lot to finish on a quilt for Christmas and I don't know what happened, but last night, I did it! I don't know how to explain how it clicked! The quilt gods were smiling on me last night. I just kept quilting and quilting and quilting! I bet I wouldn't have gone to bed if I hadn't run out of thread!!

Of course, I still have a lot left on that quilt and not much time to do it!

Now if I could just figure out how to load a quilt on my frame! Ah, well. Babysteps.... I promised myself I'd give that a try after I finish the one I'm hand-quilting. I *have* to finish that one, and no new projects until it's DONE!

Oh, and I found that I did better when I left my feed dogs up. Is that ok?

I leave my feed dogs up most of the time...and have no problem when I do that. Only drop them when I am doing a bigger meandering type of quilting.

I've done FMQ with and without the feed dogs up and didn't really notice a difference.

I am so glad to hear its working out for you!!! Hopefully you can get back "in the groove" when you rethread lol

Not in regards to quilting, but for any skill set, a fairly good book is "Outliers." In it the author goes over how much practice it takes to learn a skill. It is true.

Just keep practicing, practicing, and practicing. Keep notes of what works best for you so you can review them later if you don't use the skill for awhile.

For some small projects I have left my feed dogs up. Usually I put them down. Because of my arthritis I have used many aids for FMQ. What is working best for me right now is The Fabulous Fabric Glide. I can hold it without having to bear down with any force at all. Gloves, a halo, and other things just don't work well for me.

Make it fun. Reward yourself for each step of the way.

ali

Took me a whole lap quilt before it clicked in!

I like this website for helpful ideas...I have found that for my machine - feeddogs up - use super slider and practice practice practice. http://daystyledesigns.com/freemotionquilting.htm

Congratulations! FMQ is a tricksy skill, that's for sure.

I LOVE Leah Day. I think FMQ really clicked for me after I'd watched one of her vids for about the thousandth time and took a good look at her speed. Turns out that was my problem more than anything.

Also, sometimes I leave my feed dogs uncovered and sometimes I don't. I've never noticed a difference.

the stitch quality of an older (1950's or pre) straight stitch Singer is not equaled ..... once you realize this and work with the best your current machine has to offer then you fly
questioning feed dogs up with super slider...the back would be chewed up, unless you cut the opening ?

It sounds like you have gotten the "hang" of it. Good luck on future projects and thanks for sharing the information with us.