1ST Time FMQ ...feel like crying
#182
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 22
FMQ is hard to master. I have messed up quilts and cried! I have a quilt that I have lost my interest in finishing because of all the un-quilting I have done!
It does get easier with practice. I got a couple of pattern books that you use the Golden Threads tissue paper with. That really helped me a lot.
It does get easier with practice. I got a couple of pattern books that you use the Golden Threads tissue paper with. That really helped me a lot.
#183
You must use a darning foot and lower the feed dogs. If you use quilting gloves it will help a lot, they keep your hands from slipping. Mine are very light weight and have rubber tips, I wouldn't be without them!
#184
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Frankfort, Ky.
Posts: 796
Try doing meandering and stay with it until you feel very comfortable with it. This is the easiest one to learn. I took a class and the first thing she taught us was to write our name. She said to practice until we could read it.LOL
Hang in and don't give up. When you get this down pat(and you will) always remember to to a test on the material you are going to use.
Hang in and don't give up. When you get this down pat(and you will) always remember to to a test on the material you are going to use.
#185
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 180
One more thing! Also forgot, as pointed out earlier, that you must drop your presser foot pressure to zero, if you have this adjustment on your machine for FMQ. This allows the darning/quilting foot to bounce freely as you move the fabric. (So much stuff to remember! No wonder it's hard when you first learn!)
#188
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Freeport, Tx
Posts: 20
Take it from someone who thought that was just a hopeless cause for me. I've practiced and practiced, told myself how impossible this is, put it up. Practiced and practiced, impossible and put it up. I do believe I'm finally showing some improvement. A must for me is gloves. The machingers worked for me so that's all I've tried. Everyone has a different technique-what works for one doesn't work for all. A large flat surface is a sure must. I didn't have a sewing table with a drop down ( I do have a killer sewing room--no fancy table) so my husband took a table (foldup like you get at Lowes or Wal Mart) and cut a hole in it with a shelf under it. Works great. A free motion foot (darning foot) is a must. Practice practice at your speed-not wide open but not turtle slow) to get an even stitch. I make dozen(s) of practice pads about 12x12 and go at it. If you start getting upset-stop and go back later. If I can do it-you surely can.
#189
Originally Posted by azwendyg
It is a BIG learning curve at first. You may be rushing the learning process by trying to FMQ an actual quilt already. I didn't try FMQ anything "real" for a couple of months. The cat got some nice quilted practice sandwiches to sleep on though.
Make up a whole stack of 12 or 15 inch square sandwiches to practice on. Spend a little time at it every chance you get, and your skill will improve dramatically over time. Save your practice pieces and you can see your progress.
I practice my quilting on a small sandwich first EVERY time I sit down to work on a real quilt. I'm not great at it yet, but things are looking much better!
If the FMQ isn't working out for this charity quilt, you may want to try doing some wavy lines or a wavy grid with a walking foot instead if that's an option for you.
Good luck, and keep practicing on small pieces until you're happy with your work, then try a small quilt again.
Make up a whole stack of 12 or 15 inch square sandwiches to practice on. Spend a little time at it every chance you get, and your skill will improve dramatically over time. Save your practice pieces and you can see your progress.
I practice my quilting on a small sandwich first EVERY time I sit down to work on a real quilt. I'm not great at it yet, but things are looking much better!
If the FMQ isn't working out for this charity quilt, you may want to try doing some wavy lines or a wavy grid with a walking foot instead if that's an option for you.
Good luck, and keep practicing on small pieces until you're happy with your work, then try a small quilt again.
#190
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4,840
Free-motion quilting is so different when you are quilting a big quilt rather than a practice sandwich. Mastering the relative speed of your hands and foot control is much harder when you have the weight of a larger quilt dragging and pulling on the needle. It can be very fatiguing, too. Be sure to give yourself breaks where you get up and walk around and try to relax your neck muscles. Try to think of just the area you are working on, not the whole thing. I usually start in the middle, which is the most difficult area, since it has the most loose fabric all around. If the quilt is big enough, try throwing some of it over your shoulder to support it. And don't do it when you are tired. You'll feel frustrated and discouraged. Just keep at it and it will become better. Good luck!
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