Straight line or free motion?
#32
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,201
I have been doing FMQ about 16 years. I love doing it and the looks of it. I should be much better at it than I am But so what? As long as I am doing it it is okay. I do find it relaxing. I FMQ on a 9" throat machine. I just finished an almost queen size quilt, turned out pretty good. I do straight line quilting once in a while.
Different quilting for different people.
Different quilting for different people.
#34
I have been doing FMQ about 16 years. I love doing it and the looks of it. I should be much better at it than I am But so what? As long as I am doing it it is okay. I do find it relaxing. I FMQ on a 9" throat machine. I just finished an almost queen size quilt, turned out pretty good. I do straight line quilting once in a while.
Different quilting for different people.
Different quilting for different people.
In fact, I now want to spend time branching out and practicing something different on sample sandwiches. And - I would like to learn how to straight line quilt. Have no idea how I would be at that, but finding that I like the effects of straight line quilting mixed with some FMQing.
#35
Super Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,422
I use the walking foot and mostly straight lines or a decorative serpentine stitch for quilting. I have attended two classes for FMQ but the left brain gets ahead of the right brain. Not great results.
A recent quilt was done on the embroidery machine. It was fun to learn a new technique. Perhaps I will revisit FMQ classes in the coming new year.
A recent quilt was done on the embroidery machine. It was fun to learn a new technique. Perhaps I will revisit FMQ classes in the coming new year.
#36
I was like you, frustrated for years. I kind of feel like you really have to have that aha moment and reaaly get you hand and machine speed down. Thats why many go get stitch regulators simply to never master that simple step. I even got one and realized i was going faster than the regulator and my stitches were no better when i finally mastered the speed which took like 4 years by the way i found out my stitches actually looked better without a regulator imho. It was an expensive lesson to learn
#37
Super Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Rocky Mountains
Posts: 1,866
I love this board. It gives so many resources. I am book marking this because I have a couple quilts to do and am not good at free motion either, but there are some good ideas in this resource to think about.
This website might be useful.
31 Days of Walking Foot Quilting
http://blog.petitdesignco.com/2012/1...-quilting.html
31 Days of Walking Foot Quilting
http://blog.petitdesignco.com/2012/1...-quilting.html
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern, Utah
Posts: 1,233
I've done most of my quilting with a walking foot. I've used my embroidery feature a few times to do the quilting, but haven't liked it as well as the walking foot. Takes a lot of time to hoop and rehoop. I've been doing more with fmq for the last couple of years and am getting a bit better. I've forced myself to use it on smaller projects this year. But I can't say that it is really enjoyable for me, I do get somewhat tense with it, but again it is getting better, both the result and the anxiety.
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1,141
I mostly FMQ because its quicker for me than straight line quilting with a walking foot... and I'm too impatient to straight line close together, like many of the modern looking quilts that I admire. Don't short change yourself because FMQ isn't your thing. Everyone has their gifts and limitations. FMQ happens to be something that happened easily for me, but patience ... does not. Celebrate what you do well, and don't beat yourself up over what doesn't.
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