tips for FMQ and stencils
 

Good morning all!

I decided to buy a couple of stencils to practice FMQ. I did it with contrasting colours so everyone could see what I was doing right, and what I was doing wrong!

I need some tips / guidance please! Is this supposed to be single line quilting? Or am I expected to go over some areas twice? (This is where I seem to struggle more).

Also, if I was using similar colour thread, I guess some of my boo-boos wouldn't be as obvious?

I know I need to practice, that much is obvious!

Would you fill some of the empty spaces in? Or just leave it as is?

Thanks so much!

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I don't do this type of quilting, but I think yours looks great!

Geez! You're doing great! Personally, I don't like every inch of a quilt quilted, but that's just my preference. I sort of like open spaces so that patterns stand out more...

What you fill in or leave unquilted is a design choice, entirely up to you. With most stencils you do have to backtrack, and that can be difficult, but it looks like you've done a good job of it.

I like open spaces, too. Keep going! I don't do machine FMQ but I think you are well on your way!

Nice work! Can't give you any advice. Your quilting is so much better than mine.

Agree with the others ... pretty much a personal design choice.
That is quite an intricate pattern to work with and you have done a really nice job.

Back tracking is done regularly even in free flowing FMQing.
You just look for the path that can offer the least of that to happen.
.... I usually figure that out, when I am almost done the project! :)

When I FMQ with stencils or a self-drawn-on design, I use it as a guide, and don't stick it rigidly.
For example, each of my butterflies might be slightly different, just as they would be IRL.
Likewise, each of the feather petals in the centre may look a little different.

For threads ... finer thread (yes you can even go as small as 100 wt) and
thread matched to fabric colour, can both help to camouflage any of your oopsies!

As said already ... personal choices and do it your way!

You have a great sense of design and style in this and your other work, so before long,
you will no doubt feel right at home and your results will certainly show it!

That looks great! As others have said most designs require some backtracking, some more than others.

Rob

You did a nice job. As others have said it is a personal choice. If you want the butterflies to pop out more then do some fill work in the backgrounds. To give the feathers more deffination consider stitching a vein in each one from the spine curving up the center just over half way and backtrack back to the spine. Sounds difficult but not and can help bobbles in the spine. No I didn’t notice any bobbles in your spine. It all depends on what pleases you it’s your quilt.