Do you backstitch to lock the stitch like you do when sewing?

I have been looking at tutes but have never taken a class.

I made some potholders to practice and outlined the butterflies in the fabric. It's going well, but I notice my stitches are tiny - though evenly tiny which is good to start.

I use a BigFoot made for FMQ and feed dogs down, but still need to buy something to slip around on. There is vinyl on there now, but it is cut out for regular sewing.

I leave the threads long, knot and bury it if I start in the center.

If I start by the edge, I just back stitch on the edge :D:D:D

I pull the bottom thread to the top and stitch in place two or three times, then just start quilting.

I found that when I first started FMQ I was better with the micro stippling than the larger stuff.

First thing I do is take a deep breath and hope like crazy I've got my tension calibrated right :-)

Pray

Swear at it! FMQ is not my strong point. I quite often backstitch though.

Good answer, I was gonna say cuss!

LOL

I go the bathroom and pee. After that I don't care. I generally start in the middle of a seam. Pedal to the meddle. I am now an Indy driver. Vroom!! To others, I say EAT MY DUST. Excuse me, but why do you think you need to take a class??

It depends on the quilt. If I have to do a bang up job I leave the ends long, knot and bury them. If it is strictly a utile quilt I pull the bottom thread up and stitch in place a few times. The first method is much neater than the second.

The first thing I do is a test piece checking( about 8 inches square) to make sure everything is right .. tension, needle etc.

I do a locking stitch when I start and when I stop.

I enjoy a nice large glass of cold white wine, bring up my bobbin thread, do a couple of tiny stitches to "lock" and go for it :mrgreen:

All of the above!
peace :D

LOL! That is what I would be doing too!

How do you bring up your bobbin thread? How do you leave th ends and knot and bury them? Is lock stitch the same as back-stitching over a couple of stitches?

I like the wine idea!

I thought a class would be fun for tips and suggestions, sounds like maybe for commiseration too! lol!

Thanks everyone.

Took the words right out of my mouth!!

I have a tendency to not breathe - holding my breath. So, I remind myself to take a breath, wipe off my sweaty hands and get started.

All these are great answers! As the famous slogan goes: JUST DO IT!!!!

This is a great thread. I nearly fell off my chair laughing. At least I'm not alone with the pray idea. I always pull up my bobbin thread and stitch a couple stitches in the same place.

I hold the top thread, push the needle up/down button twice and gently pull up the bottom thread, and just go for it. When I first started, my stitches were really small too. I watched a few videos on youtube and the best tip I got was fast machine, slow hands. I set the adjustable speed at about halfway and it allows me to go a little slower until I get in the rhythm.

I've heard about the wine tip, and highly recommend it! It is like premedicating before strenuous exercise, and you feel better later with better results!

For a small project like a potholder, I leave my feed dogs up. It works like a stitch regulator. For bigger projects, I put my work on a hoop with the hoop facing up. It works like a frame, keeping my layers taut and giving me something to hold on to.

What does FMQ stand for?

I like the part about the glass of wine!! LOL!

FMQ is Free Motion Quilting.

Start stitching by pulling the bobbin thread to the top and then make 4-5 very small stitches before going to regular sized stitches. Don't stitch in place or backstitch as threads build up. When stopping, make 4-5 small stitches and then pull the bobbin thread to the top and cut.

If I start on the edge, I start stitching on the wadding part and don't do anything else to it as it will be cut off and buried in the binding. If I start elsewhere, I bring up the bobbin thread and leave long ends to knot and bury in a similar way to hand quilting.
Some people stitch very small stitches in the same spot for about 4 or 5 stitches and then clip the long threads off. I don't like this look. I don't want my stops and starts to be detected.

I always practice my design first on a scrap sandwich made from the same material and batt as the quilt. that helps me get in the groove!

I never back stitch, I test my tension on a dummy sandwich by FMQ and checking the back often to get the right look. When I start the quilt I start in the middle. I pull up my thread and make 2-3 stitches in place and then I take off. As far as the slider, it is nice but not entirely necessary. I always wear machiner gloves, that will be better than any slider. I started wearing those rubber dipped gloves that the post office people wear. You can buy them at Walmart for $4. Take a deep breath and have fun. Put your needle in down position if you can, that way when you stop it stays where you are at.

Same here. :lol: Since I make my quilts to be loved, dragged, etc I usually do take a couple of back stitches after pulling up my bobbin thread.

PRAY!!!

Pray! lol :lol:

First thing I ALWAYS do is WARM UP on a practice square ... I keep 18" muslin/ scrap sandwiches ready for warm ups. Make sure feed dogs are down, check the speed control, needle down & up, pull up the bottom thread, BREATHE and GO ! :)

When I do FMQ I tend to grip my teeth and then my jaw hurts. I try to chew gum or have a hard candy in my mouth. I finally learned to keep breathing.

Oh, Doreen, that's a great idea. I need to try that too! Thanks! ;-) :roll:

I pray that I won't swear.

I am having fun just reading all the replys!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Bring the bobbin thread up, 1 stitch in place, then a couple of back stitches if I'm starting in the middle. If I'm starting at the edge I don't back stitch because it will all be locked in place with the border.

Deep breaths! LOL It is definitely NOT my strong suit!

Just started FMQ a month or so ago and before each project, small or big, I take a huge breath, tell myself I'm really new at this and it will look great and the next project will be better, then say a prayer (noticed a lot of praying going on for the FMQers), start, stop, pull out the treads, start again, and keep going until the thread breaks or I'm done. Yeah, there are several pauses (with the needle down) to look at my email, the QB, and anything else that will take the tension out of the air. Did I mention I chew gum and keep a bowl of chocolates beside my machine? I'm beginning to remember to breathe before starting to stitch, so that's progress.

You all are so funny! Wine? If we kept wine in the house, I might try this. For now, I'll suffer through with chocolate!