This is good information to know. When I first got my Janome 11000, I did a bunch of practice machine embroidery blocks, made them into a quilt and then did a lot of FMQ on it. It was not bad at all and was actually the second queen sized quilt I had FM quilted; the first one was not too bad either. Lately, I can't do it worth a darn on the 11000 or on another machine that I have set up strictly for quilting. I've been blaming it on the machine tension, as well as my lack of practice. I guess it's just me to blame and not the machines at all.

When I haven't FMQ for a while, I layer a piece of scrap fabric and practice on it. Usually within ten minutes or so the feel for moving the fabric comes back. I've used these pieces for place mats or chair covers for my kitty to lay on. She loves laying on a quilt, so fool her by making these for the chairs and sofa.

Same thing can happen when you haven't used a long arm for a while.

And the same thing happens with hand quilting! I'll get to where my stitches are small and even. Then I leave it for a while and when I start up again, my stitches are larger and uneven!

I could have been writing your story. It is amazing how long it takes to learn a technique and how short of time it takes to forget it. A good lesson for me. Keep doing, even if I am doing just a little.

What a great idea! I'll borrow that one. Merry Christmas.

Yep it is definately a skill you have to keep up with. If I don't keep doing it, when I do it looks terrible for a bit. But it comes back quickly.

These are great tips. I haven't machine quilted for a while; hope to start up again this year.

Yes, what a great idea! I also just practice by drawing my designs on paper. It "trains your brain"

I know exactly what you mean. I know when I get back to my quilting it will take me a little bit to get back to the rhythm that I had before I set it down. Good luck. :)