No polite way to say how bad this is!
 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]366036[/ATTACH]It's pouring here so I can't go running and my client just cancelled so I had some time to kill and I decided to make my first attempt at free motion quilting. It's terrible!!! And it's hard! But I sort of have the vaguest sense of how it's done now, and I'll keep trying. This is a potholder, by the way, that will be a gift for someone who really loves me a lot!

You are being too hard on yourself. For a first time it looks great!!!

Just keep practicing. It gets easier, it really, really does.

Practice writing your name in cursive as your FMQ pattern. That helps you learn to move the fabric in an up-down-left-right motion instead of turning it. You already have muscle memory for this motion of writing your name. Most of those who FMQ will tell you that muscle memory of whatever design you are trying to use is important. They often will take a couple minutes to 'practice' their FMQ before starting on the actual quilt, even if they quilt every day or so.

Jan in VA

Jan in VA

You didn't learn to ride a bike the first time you hopped on it. Practice makes perfect! (Actually it doesn't look that bad to me.)

You are being too hard on yourselft it looks great!!

I see a vibrant colored potholder made by a first time FMQ'er who did a much better job than I can do, and I would be proud to have that potholder in my kitchen!! Keep going!

It looks better than my free motion. Count me in the "gave up" group.

Nobody will notice unless YOU point it out to them, so just keep practicing! I've actually done three entire quilts in the past couple of weeks and just practiced a little while before jumping in. I'd just done swirly patterns on the first two, but actually did some decent stippling and clouds yesterday! The longer you do it at any given time the better it gets, and go SLOWLY! If you run into a spot you're not sure about which way to go, STOP, needle down and contemplate before moving on!

That is exactly how I practiced fmq. Potholders are useful and the perfect size to practice moving in many directions. I made loads of them one year and gave them away at Christmas. I traced designs independent of the fabric design and on some I followed around the design on the fabric. You will look back on this practice fondly. Placemats is another great place to practice.

for a first attempt, it looks great

Practice... practice....
It does look good....

I looked at the caption and picture, before reading your post . . . and although I don't care for those fabrics, I couldn't find anything bad about it. As for your FMQing, it's not bad at all!

I'm almost afraid to even try it! :p

Look's a lot better than my first try. Keep at it and you will master it in no time.

Looks good to me.

remeber pratcice mkes perfect dont be so hard on yourself you will get there

Thank you all, you're so sweet! I will keep at it, and I really appreciate all of your advice and support!

the fabrics are much nicer in person, I promise!

For your first attempt that looks petty good to me. My first attempt resulted in me spending 4 hours unpicking one horrible mess.

Practice, practice and more practice. Relax, enjoy and be adventurous.

You have to start somewhere It gets better with practice remember!!!

I agree with Tartan. While it is not actually at all bad for afirst time, keep it so you will see how much you improve....and you will.
BYW, I learned to control my FMQ by writing in cursive on the quilts. It is easier to control with a slightly larger area than a potholder. Maybe do 4 at once, then cut them apart.

I don't see loops and crazy bird nests. That's what my first time looked like. No way mine would've been a gift for anyone. I think you are off to a great start.

Your first attempt is good and as you continue you will get better and better. Check out this site for lots of FMQ lessons. www.daystyledesigns.com/365project.htm

Keep practicing. I am just learning too. I'm making quilts for my staff, and they have been advised that I am practicing my FMQ. They will be coming over in a couple of weeks to trim the threads, as I HATE doing it..

I don't think it's terrible. It's your first attempt, trust me it will get easier with practice. ~:)

My free motion quilting was ugly when I first started and I had even taken a class, it's just like anything else...practice, and that's what I am still doing practicing. Believe me anyone would be happy to receive your pot holder.

It doesn't look bad and you started on what they tell me is a hard thing to do - following a circular pattern. Try FREE motion quilting. Let the fabric wander while thinking of large puzzle pieces. After you give yourself permission to sew in all directions and practice with the writing finger of your dominant hand on any surface before you start, it'll come.

Congrats on starting! I see nothing wrong with your first attempt. It's only bad if you never start!!!

LuAnn Kessi says to get a sketch pad and practice your FMQ there first. Don't pick up the pencil point from the paper - make your designs with continuous motion. Using a sketch pad and pencil builds muscle memory. Once you practice it on a sketch pad, your brain will have a good idea of movement and where to twist and turn. I did stippling for about a year before really trying anything ornate. I did some thread painting and more stippling. Finally, I got the sketch pad and worked out the designs on paper first, then when I was happy with them, I went to the machine. Guess what? The machine quilting was better than my drawings!

Watch Leah Day do her quilting: www.daystyledesigns.com/365project.htm She explains how to work a design and how to get out of corners if you get stuck. She's got lots of designs to choose from and they are in categories so you can pick easier ones to start with.

LuAnn Kessi, as I've said, is a sketch book believer. http://luannkessi.blogspot.com/searc.../Sketch%20Book
She has sketches of her sketches. You should sign up for her blog because she is always sketching. I printed out some of the sketches and traced over them, then tried to do them myself, sometimes with good results and sometimes with not so good results, but always worth the effort.

Patsy Thompson has some excellent beginning FMQ videos. http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/free-video/
She has lots of FMQ designs you can download for free. I downloaded them and traced out the patterns.

You will definitely build your confidence if you look at the above websites. You've already got a good start on your FMQ and you will be so happy with your results when you master some basic designs. You won't want to stop! LuAnn says to FMQ or sketch a little everyday.

Here is a video that will also help you build your confidence. Karen talks about "What to Quilt on Your Quilt." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emNxO...ature=youtu.be

Good luck and keep posting!

this is awesome, thank you so much!

Your braver than me..I haven't even dare attempt anything...Maybe someday.

I think you are terribly brave. I'm not sure I will ever attempt free motion quilting...maybe years from now when I have a lot more experience and confidence. Congrats and keep it up, with all the incouragement you get here you will be sailing though before you know it!

Hey, whatever it is worth, I think it looks good.

Most importantly, you took the dive! I know how cold that water can be. I am a self-admitted horrible FMQ, I cross lines, my stitches are intermittently super tight and too long, and my aspirations never match my execution. I don't care, just keep at it. I don't make quilts to show, (thought God knows I wish I could), I make them for friends and family. They all know everything I do is askew and l;ove me anyway! Sarah, you GO girl! By the way, I love your kitty avatar!

me too ...........

Just love your white and black cats in your avatar....

Please, what constitutes "good" and "bad" free motion quilting?

Thanks, P

I agree with you. FMQ is difficult. I have been practicing but I have to agree with whoever wrote that it takes LOTS of practice. I remember seeing someone in Paducah FMQ and they took a pencil and paper and drew the design over and over again on paper before trying it on the machine. A lady at my church told me to check out Leah Day, she does have very good ideas about FMQ.

You did a great job, Sarah!! My first FMQ experience was frustrating. It does get easier.

I love those kitties in your avatar.

P.S.
At least no one was peeking over your shoulder saying........."OMG!! What is that?"
I have had this happen before......LOL