Buckeye Rose

I was my LQS recently and found a panel that had many different quilting patterns printed on the fabric. There was enough of each to give you an idea of how to do them (could be reproduced on different fabrics) and enough variety for almost any quilt. They weren't all basics either. I haven't had a chance to work on it yet, but plan to sandwich with pretty fabric and batting to make a real quilt, then donate to charity. It will be a great practice piece, but still functional when done.

Nancy Ingham

I agree with all of the great advice that you have been given. I bought a twin size quilt (it was store bought not hand done) at my local thrift store for $1.00, washed it clean, and whenever I want to practice a quilting pattern I bring out that quilt and practice away. It has worked great for me and I feel more secure starting on my quilt after just practicing on my practice quilt. Good luck, and try to have fun with the process.

QuiltE

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Great suggestion Tartan ... I'm more of a visual learner, so by chance would you show us a picture here as to how you do it. I have the idea, though would like to see those tape triangles and how you work around them and onwards to the next. Please? Pretty Please? and with sugar on it (or splenda, if you'd prefer!!)

happynana

And also what it looks like now is not what it will look like after it is washed! It will crinkle up around the thread and is much more forgiving than you would think.

BluegrassGurl

I wholeheartedly agree!

tatavw01

doodle on paper

tatavw01

doodle on paper it works

Tartan

QuiltE, I would love to do that but I am computer challenged. I even have to get help to do pictures. I put the tape triangles spaced evenly on the top. They will end up in the pentagram shape that will be created when you do the simple star line shape around it. You could use other shapes like the price dots for yard sales etc. It is basically to get even coverage of quilting on the quilt. I am slooowly trying to improve my computer skills but it isn't easy.

SueSew

I'm only learning, but I warm-up then do it the best I can. I never rip out work unless I am confident I can do it better. It is what it is and you will wreck the integrity of your fabric by pulling and resewing and endless needle holes. Enough already! Be proud of what you can do because it is the best you can do. God give me the grace to accept the things...etc. Of course, if you want to quilt your first time like the mothers of machine quilting - Gaudinski or whomever, knock yourself out.

annesthreads

When I was feeling much as you do a year or so back, I emailed Leah Day in despair, and she was kind enough to reply. Her advice then - and I've heard her say the same thing again since - is just get a quilt on your machine (or a practice piece) and quilt it. Don't undo your work don't fret about the imperfections. When you look at the whole quilt, they're often impossible to find anyway. I think she's right - now I look at a quilt that, at the time, I thought was a disaster, and it really doesn't look that bad. And if you can just relax into the quilting without stressing too much, you're probably going to find your rhythm more easily than if you're tense. I've done much better with FMQ since I decided to stop worrying so much about the results. I start by confirming that the tension is basically OK, do some warming up on a practice piece, and off I go! Admittedly, I haven't tackled a really precious quilt, but I'm moving towards the point when I'll be ready to do so.
Would really recommend Leah's Quilt Along, which someone else has already mentioned. She explains things very clearly and is so encouraging.