Momala24

I think we must be sisters! My situation is identical to yours!

todiesmom

I also feel that way but it is when I finish the top that looks wonderful and fear that I will mess it up with the quilting/FMQ...the way I have solved it is to QAYG...I am very brave when doing a large 15" block..one at a time...if it is messed up you can discard it and do a new one because they are all joined together after the quilting process. I also am much more comfortable with straight line quilting. My Bernina has a small throat and it is much easier to quilt geometric designs on a 15" block than it is on a whole quilt...lol.

quilterpurpledog

Most of us have the fear factor to plague us as we prepare to FMQ-especially on a newly sandwiched item for fear we will make mistakes and have to take it out. Just start and move forward. One of the things I learned early was to STID to stabilize my quilt. After I do that, I quilt the borders first and then bind the quilt. It eliminated lots of bulk. Then I move further to the center. The stabilizing does two things as far as I can see. It allows you to see any areas that might have pleats and puckers-you can work them out to the edges easily at this point. Secondly, it allows you to work in small areas to quilt. On my next quilt I plan to use wash away thread to STID so I can enhance my quilting designs.

Yooper32

I usually get excited to get to the quilting part, it is the sandwiching that I dread. I have a Brother PQ1500s that I just love. Bought one of those Supreme Sliders and it was just a PIA, the table that comes with the machine is so slick, I need no slider. I am by no means the worlds best FMQer, but I love doing it, just the same.

fivepaws

Is it possible to quilt in sections with a light weight cotton backing then add a regular backing after it is all quilted and just SID? Is it ever done?

lots2do

It is really daunting for me as well. I am working on little baby quilts and using my walking foot for now. I can't speak to free motion since I don't feel I'm ready to practice that, yet. It helped me to slow down. Ripping out a bunch of rows because I didn't like the original thread color helped too - that showed me I didn't ruin it by starting over. I volunteered to make some mats to go under the mats used for our condo board meetings - mostly so I could practice. (Also because the old ones were awful looking).
Good luck!

coopah

Because it's the part of the quilt that really makes it or breaks it.

EmiliasNana

I always have some anxiety before I quilt on my sit down mid-arm too. I think it is just the perfectionist in me. I want to do my best and wonder if the design will enhance the quilt or detract from it. Once I start quilting, I relax and begin to enjoy the process and the transformation. I asked my longarmer friend who has been doing it for over 10 yrs. and she still has some trepidation too, so I think it is an individual thing, based on a lot of things. I've seen your quilts and you do a wonderful job.

mlt150

I had a BIG desire to learn free motion and read everything I could. I started with a project that had a very busy design and thread that blended. Mistakes were all over the thing, but could hardly be seen. The more I did a simple stippling the better I got. Now I do other designs and although they are not perfect, I am happy to do my own quilting. I do large twins with no problems!!!! Have the mindset that I don't care how this looks, I am going to master it!!!!!! Go forth and conquer!!

Jo Anne B.

I have just started to really practice my topstitching whether it be straight lines or SITD or following outlines from stencils. I feel your angst! I'll let items sit while I gather my courage. Sometimes it sits as my creativity neurons fire away or the project speaks to me as to what will look/work best. To top off my anxiety I am facing a learning curve using a Singer 15-91.
Absolutely agree ---Every quilt I learn something new!!
I have faith in you!!