gramadona

Here's a link to Jan. 2014 Project of the Month. Cute little quilted boxes!
Small, easy and need quilting... lots of opportunity to practice your machine quilting.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/blocks-...s-t237849.html

MarleneC

If you are a facebook member this is a great group to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/534577519961023/

yobrosew

My problem is my most beautiful quilting is on the practice blocks that I used ugly, clashing tones, and a haphazard piecing pattern. So, I am like, "This is so easy. This is so beautiful." Then I tackle a gorgeous, tone-matching, beautifully pieced top AND oops, oops, oops, and can't get correct and can't wait to get done with the great quilt that has become the stoopid quilt from hell! lol

quilttiger

We are all different. With that in mind, what worked for me was to a basic machine quilting class at the LQS. Our teacher had us following small pantographs and then look at the results afterwards. I was having trouble staying on the line. However, when I pulled off the paper and looked at my piece, it looked darned good! FMQ is very much like your own handwriting...you develop your own style. So many times I have been unhappy with what I was doing while on my frame...and, yet, it looks wonderful as soon as I unload the quilt off the frame! Quilt shows now have classes available in FMQ...and so does Craftsy which has classes by Leah Day, Angela Walters and a few more. Hang in there and keep on quilting!

twinkie

It scares me too, but with my domestic sewing machine I have found that quilting small projects such as table toppers and wall hangings have allowed me to improve on my FMQ. Everyone is right. Practice makes perfect.

MarleneC

Here is a facebook group that I just joined--there are a lot of new FMQ people out there and I am one of them. The group offers lots of support. https://www.facebook.com/groups/534577519961023/

mighty

Start small and just go for it. You will be surprised how you will catch on and improve with practice, practice, practice.

gramquilter2

Leah Day is teaching an on-line class "Building Blocks Quilt Along" each block is FMQ and she shows you how on a video.

Learner747

When I started machine quilting, I practiced and practiced on butcher paper. I drew out different designs and using a very dull needle I sewed over the designs until I was satisfied with my skills.

Sandrea

I can't breathe when I try FMQ. I hold my breath while I try to meander around and then when it starts to go catywampis, then I get panicky and don't know where to head for next. I am hopeless. I usually stick with the more simpler quilting like SITD and maybe some echo quilting etc.