debbieumphress

Joan - you can bring it with you to my house soon and we can practice. It takes time. SOunds like you need to adjust your machine too. The lady at Sew Krazee on Pearl Street, Naomi would help you if you took it in. SHe is nice that way. Otherwise, all I can say is practice. If it was that easy we could all do it. ROFL> DOn't give up the ship. *H*U*G*S*

azwendyg

I felt like a 2 year old the first few times I tried it too! I does take a lot of practice, so make some practice sandwiches about 15" square or so, then spend 1/2 hour practicing every day for a couple of weeks at least before you decide whether FMQ is for you or not. Taking a class after I had practiced on my own for awhile really helped also. I still feel like I'm pretty new at it, but I've been at it for almost a year. Now I am at the point that I am confident that I can do a combo of stitch in the ditch and free motion on "real quilts". (Our cat is sleeping on my practice sandwiches :lol:

gale

I can't stitch in the ditch to save my life. So I don't-I echo quilt, usually. I also use a longer stitch length than normal. About a 3 or so on my machine.

Joanieu

thanks you guys... I have my stitch at 3.0 then I changed it to 3.5 and I think it is just me. I will practice and practice after work.

Debbie - thanks for letting me know about Sew Karzee - you know I have not been in that store yet... I went by it one day with DH and it was closed (Skip was happy). Let me know when you have time for us to get together again. I would be greatful to be able to come over. I also talked to Nita and might go over there this Saturday...

Well gotta get back to work.. thank you all for your tips and encouragements - gosh do I need them when I am starting something new... :)

Annya

The last quilt I just finished FMQ has lots of places where the stitches jumped and are bigger than they need be but since it is for a baby and will be washed a lot I didn't worry about it as my niece will be happy no matter what it is like. One thing please---do you need to wash your finished quilts after they are sewn? and why when it will be dirty almost right away?

plainpat

A few things I've seen mentioned, mostly for FM quilting is to practice on fabric with lines or plaids.Try a fabric that has gentle swirls or a large print...same idea for all, to get you comfy at practice.
I make squares of backing,batting & top fabric to practice FM quilting on,mine are usually at least 18"sq.Using the hopping foot,regular tension....it works pretty good.One thing....for me, it takes a lot of time.More than I'd use for bed size quilts.But not a prob as I don't make many big quilts anymore.
Forgot to say, this is a good use of fabric you'd rather be rid of.

Judiw

I just started taking lessons and the gal told me to practice with pencil and paper the designs I wanted to make...over and over to help get them in "my head". I have not started on the FMQ yet but hope to in the next round of lessons. Good luck to you...Allow yourself the same patience you would give to someone else.

Judi

JUNEC

Practice always helps with everything. I am not that good at it. I was told when doing SID to put your sewing machine on a very slight zig zag stitch, that way when you sew, it is not as noticable it you go out of the ditch

mar32428

Oh, THAT'S my problem. I started backwards.

mar32428

Oh, THAT'S my problem. I started backwards.