thepolyparrot

FMQ can be so darn frustrating, especially at first. Just keep at it - a lot of it will become automatic as you do more quilts. It really will get easier - hang in there!

We all have days like this, though - doesn't matter how practiced we are - we all hit roadblock kind of days and when they come, I just go do something else for a while.

Best of luck to you!

Karamarie

Don't give up. It will come to you with practice.

JRW

Thanks for the uplifting words.....I actually did made a checklist and taped it to my machine. Hopefully this will cut down on a lot of headaches 🤞🤞😘😘

Fabric Galore

I share in your frustration. I sewed the binding onto a quilt yesterday and this morning all I had to do was miter the joining ends and sew them together. I had more trouble with a 3" seam than I did with the entire binding. The thread broke, the bobbin jammed and broke the needle. It took me almost an hour to complete a 5 minute job. I don't think I will sew anymore today. I don't need anymore frustration.

JRW

I have soooo many days like this....I think my problem is that I need to slow down....I seem to always be in a rush......my biggest issue is forgetting to put my presser foot down when FMQ..... I don’t know why I forget to do this so often when free motion quilting, because I never forget it when I’m just piecing... oh well eventually it will just come naturally, I hope....lol. Here’s to a better day tomorrow

thepolyparrot

For me, it was because the quilt is so thick, it looks like the foot is already down - there's little to no visual reminder to put it down. When you're piecing, the foot is clearly to high to sew with.

It will be automatic for you soon, don't worry.

SusieQOH

JRW, I can totally relate.
I like the idea of a list so that's good.
I find a big problem I have is tensing my shoulders. I am constantly having to check that. FMQ isn't easy for me at all. I started as a hand quilter. Talk about a learning curve!

I will say though that I'm getting better and you will too. Hang in there

Onebyone

I have been fmq for years. I have learned it takes a machine that you can bully.

sewingsuz

It is real rough when you are first learning. I am one that is just learning also . Hang in there and keep practicing.

AlvaStitcher

My problem is not dropping the pressure foot…it is tension! No matter what I do, I seem to have thread too loose on the underside. Grrrrrrr. I enjoy FMQ other than that. It does takes lots of practice.