I want to try to do some free motion quilting on my machine but have been afraid to try it. I have done the stitch in the ditch or regular quilting but want to really try this. I just need some direction on how to do it. I feel really stupid when I see all of you talking about the harp and other things and then see some of the beautiful work. Can someone help me? Thanks in advance. I have an older Bernina record electronic that I use a lot and love it. Thanks in advance. Love this board

I'll be watching ! I even messed up Sid! Maybe u can pm me with suggestions for me!!

Here's a site with what looks to be lots of good information presented in a logical order: http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...-quilting.html

Also, check out everything you can find on youtube.com by searching for "free motion quilting" ... you'll find TONS!

The harp is the size of the space froom the pillar to the needle. At least 7 inches works best, but some amazing quilts have been done on smaller machines. You need to drop or cover your feed dogs and purchase a darning foot if you don't have one. Make some sandwiches about 12" by 18" with muslin and batting. Load the machine with a contrasting thread and start practicing. Some people have to adjust the tension on their machine. I don't on my 1956 Singer 301.

For me, the hardest part was convincing my brain that's it's okay to sew backwards. Once I got past that, things improved considerably. Use the index finger of your writing hand and make swirly patterns on a slightly rough surface - even the muslin will do. I use inexpensive Fons and Porter gloves to quilt, but not for the brain imprinting.

I am still in the practice, practice, practice stage, but was pleased to do flowers on my last quilt. I've only done large lap size, no bed quilts.

Edit: FMQ is much easier than SITD. There's no room for erro in SITD. Free motion is much more forgiving. There is a SITD foot available for most machines. It made a huge difference. I have only been quilting since last Fall, so my advice may not be good, but at least it's fresh.

I think if you put FMQ into the search box you will come up with lots of hints, plus there are many YouTube videos that will show you some techniques. The biggest recommendation is that you have to practice, practice, practice, and then practice more. Try the search function and then see if you have different questions after that. Good luck! It really is fun and I'm still not an expert at it. I use a dinky mechanical Brother with good results.

Have watched any videos on youtube? They have alot. Maybe that will help. I like to see how things are done.

Here's a beginning tutorial:
http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...echniques.html

I don't usually tie off my thread ends the way that she does - I start by bringing the bobbin thread up and then I hold onto both threads while I sew about five stitches very close together, then I take off in the direction I want to go. When I'm done, I pile some more stitches almost on top of each other, pull up the bobbin thread and cut both threads right next to the quilt top, so that the ends pull into the quilt.

Saves a lot of time and it's plenty secure. Later on, when you're going for "perfect," you might want to tie the thread ends and bury them in the quilt as you would do with hand quilting. :)

:D Looks like we were posting at the same time. This is a nice, orderly site. :)

try this site... I purchased her video and she give you the confidence to go ahead and try it.. not on a real quilt at first make yourself some scrap sandwiches of material, batting, material and practice practice practice.
http://www.daystyledesigns.com/index.htm

Thanks to all of you for your answers. i'm excited to find those videos and start practicing. You are all so great and i love this board. I have learned so much and didn't start quilting until 2005. I took a class at handcock's fabrics and fell in love with it. Now I am retired and work a lot on quilting for our church. We give away about 40-50 quilts a year and they are only about 4 of us doing it. Oh, I am 67 so really a late bloomer. Thanks again. You guys are super!!!