This is my first attempt at quilting myself , I need Ideas and opinions before I do this on a good block Please help
should I try a mix of both I know my stitches are flaky I just did this for ideas and constructive criticism. Thank you for your inputs.


~Dave

Hi Dave,
Well I think you are well on your way! It takes lots of practice! Great job!

my only advice is to use a blending thread

just keep going it takes practice, a matching thread is more forgiving visually, but if you really want to know how your doing, stay with the white thread. take a deep breath relax, remember to breath and relax while you stitch. I know when I do free motion I tense up. So every little bit I stop an check to see MY tension level.

Dave, this is free motion quilting (FMQ), not quilt as you go (QAYG).

Like the others said, it takes a lot of practice to be really good at it, but you're off to a great start! :thumbup:

A quilt instructor once told me to put the machine at half the speed and put my pedal to the metal. That works well for me, so hopefully it will help you too.

PRACTICE, PRATICE, PRATICE makes perfect...:)

You are off to a great start. Just keep practicing. And matching thread is very forgiving.

I really like where you are going with this :D:D:D

If I have a spicific design in mind, I first try drawing in on a piece of paper and don't even try it on the fabric until I can draw it. Sometimes I draw it on the fabric to practice.

You are further along than me with free motion. I'm scared to start.

Dave....keep going, practice all you can and it will get better and better!

stitch in the ditch is a very hard method for anyone, especially for a beginner. use a matching thread for that with a very busy fabric for the backing for 'forgiveness'.

when you stipple or meander, move your whole upper body. i think you'll find it easier if you loosen up and try not to get too tense.

for practicing, do lots of loops, in all directions. then do wiggles. don't only do meandering. get used to the feeling of moving in all ways. spell out your name. follow drawn lines. you don't have to start out being creative. that will come. right now you want to be smooth. don't get nervous. keep practicing and when you feel that you're tightening up, stop and relax for a while. have a glass of wine. spell out the name of the wine. have fun with it. the bulb will light up over your head and you'll have it!

I am also new to FMQ and I have to say....I love your advice!! I think I will try it :-)

Great first try....my first try was REALLY bad. Practice REALLY does help. The BEST advise I can give you is RELAX. We all tend to tense up while quilting, I have to remember to relax and drop my shoulders....I tend to find them almost up to my ears while quilting. When I relax I do much better work...it is hard at first but you will get there. practice, practic, practic. BTW...you can use your practice pieces for potholders or rug mugs, etc....my husband using an old practice piece of mine to cover his Harley. LOL!

thank you very much for your reply sorry
it took so long to answer