Don't rip them!!! It's so cute...ya, I know cute isn't a word that comes to mind for a guy...but hey, it is what it is! Welcome to the world of FMQ on a domestic.

First of all, I love that you are trying, and certainly can understand. I would say "you've shown me yours, now let me show you mine", and if I could say it without laughing, it would be HILARIOUS!!!!
Please know if we compared your quilt to mine, you would think I had too many glasses of wine....but I live in Napa and that is to be expected....lol!!

As a fellow fmq kryptonite person I can honestly say your fmq looks fine to me! And believe me, I hear ya on thinking, well, they make it look pretty easy, I think I can do that...lol...I also have to say that it helps if one practices, which this "one"...me...doesn't do much of...I just revert back to outline or hand quilting...I also have to say I love your signature...my dh helps me with some of the layouts of my quilts, but I haven't convinced him to quilt with me...he says when I want to go hunting with him, he will quilt with me...nuff said..lol
K

I just started quilting as well, and FMQ'ing, this link I am posting is to Leah Day, her free motion quilting instructions are so easy, she starts slow, and grows your skills. Think of it as a way to make tons of dog blankets :) while practicing and learning. Most shelters (if you dont have a fur baby) would welcome donated blankets.

http://www.freemotionquilting.blogsp...ilt-along.html

I watched literally tons of you tube videos and took classes and it wasnt until I watch Leah's method of teaching that it "clicked" with me and I got over my fear ;) mind you I am not that great at FMQ, I will caveat that with I dont practice, I just opted to get a Long Arm and go that route.

Good Luck!

just love the stars and the colours

The quilt is not ruined, and doesn't look half bad for a newbie and a first try. Rome was not built in a day. Anthing done well takes years of practice. Congrats on a job well don, don't be too hard on yourself

Your attempt at FNQ is really good! Am partial to star quilts and yours is beautiful.

Randy.....it is fine...I have been quilti g for years and still haven't even attempted. I admire your bravery!

I think it's great, don't give up. (Although some say wine can help you relax when you FM).

Practice makes perfect as they say. I think you did a really good job so with a little practice I think you will be more pleased with yourself. We are always hardest on ourselves. Because we know where all the bad places are. You have to learn not to point them out. Great job!

Looks great! The Greeks believed that the goddess of hearth (quilting) was a jealous one and bated perfection from anyone except herself. So she loves your quilt. And everyone of ours!

Well I think you did great! Do keep at it. My "first" was a disaster. I broke every needle in my house! I still gave it to my niece thinking she'd never notice. The first thing she said was...."You did free motion quilting!" LoloL I didn't try again for over a year. I've done six since. My last was a king size for my dear sister. It was no way near perfect but my sister loves me. :D

Practice practice practice. I love FMQing. And you are a talent. I am looking at your quilting design. So keep going. It will come. I listen to the hum of my machine and that is how I know to speed up and slow down. You don't have to go at top speed. Go at a speed that is comfortable for you. But just keep keeping on.

We, the viewers look at the quilt as a whole. We aren't interested in whether the stitches are long short even or not. Done is best. And you learn with every quilt.

If you can manage it, take classes from different people, they all have some special tip that will help. Learn a little, practice a lot and take another class when you are ready to progress.

My favorite method is fluff and stuff. It makes sure that all the directions I want to go are free to move. I have seen some people try to FMQ using the sleeve arm of the machine. You can only move what you can control. Use a large table around your machine having a large flat surface with your machine surface. I have made my own. The adjusting bottom of the legs are available even at my small local hardware store.

I'm being so long because I am really impressed by your quilt and I want to see you do more.

Randy congrats for even trying! Your quilt is beautiful! We're all thankful there are no quilt police because if there were then none of us would be left to make quilts. We all had to start somewhere and you are off to a fantastic start! Love your signature!

Google 'Angela Walters' for great ideas in FMQ. She has a great modern take and a wonderful blog. Leah Day (mentioned above) also has terrific ideas. And don't be so hard on yourself. Yes, it takes practice. Try drawing ideas out and practicing first on paper. (Dollar Stores have the big pads) - it really helps.

I am working on my own FMQ and feel the same way. How on earth do they keep those lines straight and not look like I sewed it eith my eyes closed . My goodness thankfully washing will hide a lot of imperfection and BOY is there a lot of it!!!

You really did a great job. Lots better than my first free motion. You should be proud.

I think it looks just fine, koodos for trying something I don't think I will ever do.

It's really okay if it isn't perfect, however if you insist on ripping it all out just send me an airplane ticket to Nebraska and I'll be right there! I'm an expert at ripping!

I think your quilting is perfect for this quilt, it adds to the beautiful colors.

I feel you Randy, the pictures I have in my head when fmq don't always come out either. Will keep trying.......

I think you are a bit hard on yourself. It takes a large dose of "manly" courage to jump off the diving board into the FMQ pool and when you hit, you have to make waves or sink. You have just discovered that it aint easy. To be honest, your first efforts are not all that bad at all. The biggest word in FMQ is practice and after that thought, perhaps two glasses of wine are called for. Keep up the learning spirit.

I love the Stars, Colors, & Quilting.

I just finished my first free-motion quilting project. I was reluctant to fall in love with the finished quilt, but then I washed it. OMG, the many quilting imperfections melted into the background as the texture between the quilted and non-quilted portions of the fabric worked their magic. Now, it is my favorite quilt. Your quilt is beautiful and believe me, it will grow on you. Just wash it.

You did a GREAT job!!!! I remember my first time. And I proudly display it every year at Christmas, and everyone loves it. So don't say this is ruined, it's a work of art. And remember, you're not suppose to look at a quilt from 3" away. 3Ft. is the distance.

I am trying to perfect my quilting, and there are a couple good books out there to help. I love this book: Guide To Machine Quilting by Diane Gaudynski. Here is a link to it on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Machine-...otion+quilting

Keep up the GREAT work, we want to see more!!

I think your quilt is beautiful. And no you did not ruin it. Don't be so critical of yourself. I wish I could do FMQ as well as you.

Randy, it isn't ruined at all. You just need to make a quilt sandwich and practice practice practice

I don't think it's bad at all. For the first time, you did great. It takes a long time to get the hang of it. Practice, practice, practice.

I think your quilt looks good!!! I don't think the quilting is that bad, I wouldn't unstitch it, just bring in a new fashion called "wonky quilting"!!! :) Good luck for the next one!!!

Great job..I think the quiitand the quilting is really great...you should see my first one....yeeeeekkkkks
i have a friend whose son has back injury and he is thinking of quilting. I hope to show him your beauty....

Looks great, don't be so hard on yourself, we would tell you if it was awful, but it looks pretty good for first time, so pat your self on the back and keep on going.

I think it looks great! And, I agree, years from now you will be pleased with your progress (well, maybe not years...I was thinking of how long it would take me to get to where you are with it!) LOL Forget the "quilt police" and enjoy your creations!

LOL, you should see some of my stuff, *shaking head*....I gotta say, at least you have the guts to try quilting, so your quilt gets and "A" with me :)

I'm always up for a party, but not to rip out those stitches! It's a pretty quilt and it is quilted pretty good:thumbup:

I would be thrilled if my "firsts" had looked half this good. Keep it, as is, and one day you will be able to look back at your journey and be amazed at how far you've come.

I had to laugh out loud when you said you thought FMQ wasn't that hard !!! Your quilt looks pretty good for a first time, mine was much worse. Just keep working at it but maybe next time use a sample piece of fabric with batting. Your quilt is very pretty, I like it even with the FMQ.

I like your quilt, including the quilting. I did not do anywhere near this well on my first attempt.

I think you did a super job. You should have seen my first time.

I think you did fine and Congratulations. Just keep practicing. GOOD work. Beautiful quilt.
Vickey S.

Your 1st attempt is not bad! Not bad at all! You should see my 1st ones...I'm saving them just so I can look back when I'm thinking that all my quilting is horrible. You've been given great tips so far, here are a few more.

1. If you can't move your quilt freely...you can't quilt it! You should be able to move it around with a very light touch, no shoving, pushing pulling etc. when you get situated in the area you want to work on. If your movement of the quilt is jerky, your quilting will be jerky.

2. Wear quilting gloves, or if you don't like them, cut up that sticky cabinet liner stuff into squares, use the finger tips, grab handfuls of the quilt, whatever works well for you, but you can't move it smoothly without traction.

3. When you start up from a stop, take a single stitch in the same hole...it will disguise your start up and make sure you are in line.

4. DOODLE, DOODLE, DOODLE!! With a pencil and paper. It will build muscle memory and that is what you are looking for.

5. Don't believe people when they tell you that you cannot quilt a large quilt on a domestic machine. I do it all the time.