Who does free motion quilting? Please share your tips with us!

Thanks again and Happy Quilting!

I don't really have any tips that haven't been posted in a million others places online & I'm assuming you've read them already.
I guess the only thing I could add would be to have a practice "quilt sandwich" to warm up on each time. That's helped me.
Good luck.
It's really fun.
I was ready to give up and then all of a sudden I got it. I got distracted a little by something and I think I stopped being so intense about it and and suddenly I noticed I was doing better.

When I took my longarm class the gentleman that taught it had a couple of great ideas which I will share. #1 get an ipod or somesuch and load it with your favorite music.. it's a great inspiration and allows you to relax and enjoy.. go with the flow as it were. The second thing he suggested was a pad of paper and pencil whenever your "just sitting".. and doodle.. whenever you have a free moment.. in the car.. having coffee.. etc. you can always (almost) have a small pad and pencil.. just to scroll around.. it's a great tool to develop that "instinctive" filling of space with design and it really does translate to the free motion.

I've been trying this for over a year and it still looks like $%$#. I practice on a 15 x 15 square and it looks fine. When I try it on a large piece, I can't get the stitches even. Is it because there's too much weight? I try to roll it evenly and support it so it's not pullling or tugging but the stitches are too small.
I know there are tons of videos and tutorials and we've talked about this before but PLEASE keep asking and answering about FMQ for us "challenged" individuals. Someday something just might click!!
Thanks everyone.

This a wonderful place to visit for free motion.


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The only "tip" that I have is that I wear quilting gloves that help me to move the quilt without being sooooo tense. I started with a pair of garden gloves that were really too big for me. Then for Christmas my daughter got me a pair of real quilting gloves that "fit like a glove". I have very small hands and the gardening gloves were too loose.

I took a class from a great teacher. The quilting gloves are a big help and practice, practice, practice. I have to admit I've only done one but I was pretty happy with the results.

if you remove the leah@ you get a website of personal hygiene products, but scroll down and on the left side there is a link to Day style designs

My tip is: Don't drink coffee before you free motion quilt! Lordy, I had my foot petal to the metal and my machine was ready to fall off the table it was going so fast!!! I couldn't stop!