Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • I have never FMQ before and would love to try >
  • I have never FMQ before and would love to try

  • I have never FMQ before and would love to try

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 09-22-2010, 03:31 AM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    campion's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2008
    Location: Darlington Co Durham,England
    Posts: 408
    Default

    Can I try it out using Fleece as a backing or is it best when using a cotton backing???
    campion is offline  
    Old 09-22-2010, 03:34 AM
      #2  
    Senior Member
     
    Norene B's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2007
    Location: Alpena, South Dakota
    Posts: 491
    Default

    I have used cotton when I started and have done some flannel.
    I made large blocks about 14 inches, then started meandering on the fabric. After awhile I tried making hearts, etc. I have these blocks by my sewing machine to check my tension before doing one of my quilts now. I've done 5 baby quilts with free motion, now building a quilt frame so I can go bigger.

    Closeup of the last baby quilt I made
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]112257[/ATTACH]
    Attached Thumbnails attachment-112252.jpe  
    Norene B is offline  
    Old 09-22-2010, 03:43 AM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: Anchorage, AK
    Posts: 1,397
    Default

    I'd suggest starting with cotton since fleece is a little stretchy which can add a little complexity. If you don't want to start on an actual quilt, make sandwiches out of excess fabric...14 or 15 inches square, or even fat quarter size, then practice away. Using the small size makes it easier to learn, I think. Once those pieces are filled, you can trim them to make them into a tote bag or other item, so the fabric and work is not lost.
    ktbb is offline  
    Old 09-22-2010, 05:55 AM
      #4  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    campion's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2008
    Location: Darlington Co Durham,England
    Posts: 408
    Default

    Thank you Noreen and Kate,that's a lovely baby quilt, I will give it a go and that's a good idea to make up peices to use as a bag---hate wasting trial peices
    campion is offline  
    Old 09-22-2010, 06:37 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Ohio
    Posts: 2,148
    Default

    I do FMQ and I always practice on the extra peices for the guilt I am doing. This includes the batting, top and backing. This is to check my pattern and also tension of machine.
    bigsister63 is offline  
    Old 09-22-2010, 07:24 AM
      #6  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Oct 2009
    Location: Idaho
    Posts: 11,375
    Default

    Originally Posted by campion
    Can I try it out using Fleece as a backing or is it best when using a cotton backing???
    I think you will be much happier if you begin with cotton.
    Sadiemae is offline  
    Old 09-22-2010, 08:13 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: Rocky Mountains
    Posts: 1,866
    Default

    Campion, start with cotton, it is less expensive & a good way to start practicing.

    Norene, please post a picture of your quilt frame when you get it done.
    Jannie is offline  
    Old 09-23-2010, 02:05 AM
      #8  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: Northern Michigan
    Posts: 12,861
    Default

    start with small practice pieces to get the hang of it...pot holders/place mats are a good size to start with. it takes practice. if you start small it will be easier to build up to larger and larger. some people do quilt large, king size quilts on their regular machines...
    practice, practice, practice
    ckcowl is offline  
    Old 09-23-2010, 10:21 AM
      #9  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    campion's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2008
    Location: Darlington Co Durham,England
    Posts: 408
    Default

    thank you all for your advice---I have tried a small peice but am not very happy with it,it's ok to make into a tote bag I think!!! I did use cotton and not fleece. It was interesting to do.
    campion is offline  
    Old 09-23-2010, 04:18 PM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: Rocky Mountains
    Posts: 1,866
    Default

    Don't get discouraged. It takes lots of practice.
    Jannie is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    madamekelly
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    53
    03-30-2018 02:17 AM
    Jerseyrayne
    Pictures
    38
    02-28-2012 05:47 PM
    joyful_noise
    Main
    11
    08-05-2008 08:46 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter