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I had the same problem with loops of thread on the back of my project and it was so frustrating. I decided I was going to search online until I found an answer. The answer for my problem was - the presser foot must be down in order for the upper tension to work and prevent the much hated loops. Even though I wasn't using a presser foot, I still had to lower the bar thingy where the presser foot would be. Not very good with technical terms am I? This solved my problem - hope it helps yours.
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I tried the garden gloves and they just didn't work for me, bought the free motion gloves. Made a big diffrent, my friend bought the fm bobbin thing and said that makes a huge diffrence. So I am going to try one of those. Every little bit helps.
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I tried the garden gloves and they just didn't work for me, bought the free motion gloves. Made a big diffrent, my friend bought the fm bobbin thing and said that makes a huge diffrence. So I am going to try one of those. Every little bit helps.
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I don't think it's that bad, we're all our worst critics and practice, practice. No one's perfect. LOL
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That's a much better job that I do NOT doing it free-hand. I'm deathly afraid of quilting free-hand.
I think it looks great. I love the colors you chose for your blocks! |
Lefty, my machine won't run if the pressure foot isn't down.
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The gloves are a must.
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Originally Posted by pocoellie
I don't think it's that bad, we're all our worst critics and practice, practice. No one's perfect. LOL
I have a pair of lightweight garden gloves I started with and then was given a pair of quilting gloves. I love the quilting gloves but my fingernails have poked holes out the ends of the tips. :roll: Anyone got a solution for that? |
Originally Posted by Tiffany
Originally Posted by pocoellie
I don't think it's that bad, we're all our worst critics and practice, practice. No one's perfect. LOL
I have a pair of lightweight garden gloves I started with and then was given a pair of quilting gloves. I love the quilting gloves but my fingernails have poked holes out the ends of the tips. :roll: Anyone got a solution for that? |
Ummmm....I'm not sure Tiff, but my MIL swore that duck tape could fix anything :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Originally Posted by sandpat
Ummmm....I'm not sure Tiff, but my MIL swore that duck tape could fix anything :lol: :lol: :lol:
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I don't know about that, but she did have the inside of her refrig taped together.... :roll: and lots of other stuff. We smile everytime we see duck tape because of how it reminds us of her. :lol: (and I do know that its really duct tape)
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Each time I try fmq, it is better than the last time! I want to jump to really good, but I think there is a process here and a learning curve. Just have to work through it and get better gradually! Stick with it, it will happen.
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Duct tape & bailing twine are a girls best friend. I can fix anything just about with them & those little tie things they put cords together with.
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Don't quit, you're on your way. Just keep practicing. I first started on just muslin squares or really ugly fabric that I sandwiched with scrap batting. I bound them and used them for dust rags and cleaning cloths. I then moved on to candle mats, placemats and table runners. Much easier to manuever than a full size quilt. I'm doing quilts now, but it took me a couple of years until I was really comfortable with my free motion quilting. Keep at it, it's really relaxing once you just kind of let it happen.
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You did a very nice job! It does take practice, and I would definately start with smaller pieces until you get the hang of doing fmq.
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I don't think it is bad at all! Most start out with larger loops so you aren't alone.
And yes, with practice it does get much easier! I love to meander. Looks pretty good to me! |
Like your quilt and LOVE your sense of humor (Good God Gertie by the time I was done I was sweating bullets) Too funny! I can identify with what you are saying, girlfriend;Been there, done that ....... as far as working myself into a sweat is concerned. From what I've been told, the only way to get good at FMQ is to keep practicing. Personally, I think you did a really good job for your first stab at it. Just a suggestion, though; You might want to practice on smaller pieces, such as pot holders, wall hangings, and table runners. Not having to deal with the bulk of fabric makes a big difference for beginners like us.
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Sorry...you did not win the contest!!!
I love your quilt, and I think that you did a very good job on your first FMQ attempt. :D:D:D You should give yourself a BIG pat on the back, for taking on such a large project for your first attempt too!!!:D:D:D Please don't get discouraged!!! For me the hardest was the first attempt...it gets easier each time!!! |
You mean that there is hope for me? I am so afraid to start a free motion project. Maybe this week I will do a pillow top? Would this be a good size to begin?
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Originally Posted by crafterbarbara
You mean that there is hope for me? I am so afraid to start a free motion project. Maybe this week I will do a pillow top? Would this be a good size to begin?
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Thank you! potholders sound great and I have several ready to just try. I will give you a hug.
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Originally Posted by crafterbarbara
Thank you! potholders sound great and I have several ready to just try. I will give you a hug.
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I agree, potholders are a great size...but I dont think the pillow is too big either. I think one of the keys is having some way to support the weight of whatever isn't under the needle at the time. So...make sure you have plenty of space on the table on your left side. Good luck!
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Originally Posted by sandpat
I agree, potholders are a great size...but I dont think the pillow is too big either. I think one of the keys is having some way to support the weight of whatever isn't under the needle at the time. So...make sure you have plenty of space on the table on your left side. Good luck!
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Me too Tiff....I did my 1st FM with my machine on top of the washer/dryer with my ironing board stuck out in front to match the height. I had to stand up to sew...its the only place I had in the house at the time :roll: I still use the ironing board no matter where I drag my machine!
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Looks wonderful to me. The 'quilting' part of these projects have eluded me....I'm kinda new at the art.
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I gave my daughter for Christmas 2 table runners, that I had practiced machine quilting on. I knew she was a safe bet of maybe not laughing at me till she had tears. They were pretty actually and I tried really really hard on them but just in case they were going to family members and my daughter won out. My mother gets the next batch! It is like anything else practice practice practice and then enjoy the memories and the laughing until you almost pee your pants. LOL Bethy
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A glass of wine, maybe two,I've got to try this ...LOL
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Originally Posted by Greendragon6889
A glass of wine, maybe two,I've got to try this ...LOL
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We are so critical of ourselves aren't we?
You did a great job, really you did. The 'quilt police' are not going to arrest you, LOL. And the quilt will be loved for sure. But I know what you mean...I enjoy FMQ and hate it at the same time. I just cannot keep my hands flat, I always end up grabbing a hank of quilt to guide it along and always wish that throat on the machine wasn't there cuz I'm butting up to it all the time and it ruins the nice rhythm that I got going. warm quilt hugs, sue in CA |
You should be proud, I am not brave enough to even stat free motion.
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Ok first I took a class once and she had us about half way through try to follow the lines of a pattern. Guess what that was harder then free random motion. Get some heavy felt to practice on so you don't have to keep sandwiching fabric and pretend you are going downhill and holding back and your hands are out and you are floating. Or pretend you are on the phone and are doodling. Make it free and easy and think of the needle as the end of your pencil. You will learn by the sound of your machine how fast to go to keep the fabric going at a good rate. Hope I have helped and it does take practice just learning to drive a car. We were just younger and bolder then so we did not have any fear.
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I'm Russian-German, which means stubborn so I WILL keep at it until I feel comfortable doing it and by then, I hope, I'll be good at it. I think it will be really fun when I get the hang of it and I like the idea of pot holders or a heavy piece of felt to practice on.
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Originally Posted by MamaBear61
When I fmq I don't even bother with drawing a pattern but I have only done small projects, potholders, christmas stockings etc and therefore my very random pattern works. I once had a friend that told me that fmq goes much better with a glass of wine sitting next to your sewing machine. I am not sure if it makes the my quilting any better but I become less critical of myself (lol)
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That is what I said when I made my first one. I have so far only made 2 baby quilts. Yours looks pretty good to me. Like someone has told me before practice, practice, and practice.
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Originally Posted by cande
Made this small lap robe, about 50"X36" because I wanted to try my hand at a pinwheel pattern using some scraps I had. Got it into my head that I'd like to try free motion quilting (WHAT was I thinking!!) so went to Amazon and ordered the foot - which , btw, was very affordable, less than $10. with S&H. So yesterday, I decided to bite the bullet, grabbed a small chunk of soap, drew out the design (if that's what you want to call it) and went to town. Good God gertie, by the time I got done. I was sweating bullets! I had a heck of a time staying on my chalk markings, keeping the speed constant, moving the quilt with half of it rolled up in the throat. It was NOT a pleasant experience! Showed it to hubby; bless his heart, he told me it wasn't bad for my first attempt and practice makes perfect, etc., etc. to keep it up and soon I'd get the hang of it. Well, it's going to take a LOT of practice. My admiration for you that have mastered the art of free motion quilting has risen way up! Don't know if you can see in the pics but it's not pretty This is my entry in the ugly quilt contest!
WOW you sure have done better than I would have done! Im afraid to attempt it! Keep going, you have done wonderful! |
it looks very good i think you did a nice job keep it up
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Do you have your foot down when you FMQ and have no tension on top? You need to have it down.
I think that is good for a first attempt, and I really like the quilt! Cricket |
I am Russian German, too!!! I know what you mean about stubbornness. It is hard to shake!! We champion determined souls!
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