How do you longarmers do the "pebbling" in your quilting? Are you backtracking over the circles to make the next one? In the pictures I've studied, it doesn't look like it, but can't figure out how else you would do it????

Some backtracking is required for me. I don't mark anything ahead so just wing it.

i try to minimize the oversewing, but it is almost impossible to avoid doing so. it gets better with practice. it's a little like driving... look ahead and pick a place to 'drive' to.

i would also love to learn this technique if you look on youtube and type in pebble longarm quilting and you can watch several experts go at it if you are doing it free motion on your machine you can search for it that way Have fun watching i did for hours one night

thanks for ideas....

I do it like and 8, and there is some backtracking, but it seems to work best for me.

Thanks, I've been wondering too...

Look at Daystyle Designs - Leah Day's website. http://www.daystyledesigns.com/pebbling.htm I love pebbling freehand on my Janome 6600 - the backtracking can even be used to add definition and I often back track on purpose to this end. Also, use a fine thread if you don't want the backtracking to dominate, I have used Bottom Line and also YLI 60 wt. However a 50 wt gives more definition if this is the effect you want. This on my Ammonite was done with Masterpiece 50 wt. Another key element when pebbling, to make it look naturalistic is to ensure you round out every pebble and also make sure that you vary the sizes. It's like a jigsaw, filling the gaps with no spaces. Like all other FMQ - PRACTICE! :-D