Joy Higdon

For what it is worth coming from me. If any of you are thinking you would like to FMQ, please just get rid of the fear and jump in. I hovered on the brink for a long time just admiring the beautiful quilting the LAQ quilters do(I still do). I used to hold my own with hand quilting but as I got older it was just too painful. So I enrolled in a Craftsy class and behold I lost my fear. Mind you, it didn't make me a good quilter but taught me that I can enjoy the ride anyhow. I am almost finished with my Bargello(it ain't purty) probably won't post it, and it will probably just go in the closet, but it has taught me more than any class could have taught me. I learned that in the past my broken stitches, tangles, and everything imaginable was due to thread, needles, tension and a host of other things wrong, which made for anything but pleasure. I didn't know that there was such a difference in thread, needles etc. I have fallen in love with the top-stitch needles. I still have a lot of practice to do before I quilt my William Morris "Friends" quilt or my Affairs of the Heart, My Baltimores or any other applique, but Lord willing I will. So for what it is worth, JUST DO IT!!!!

Weezy Rider

Good for you! I did the same, except I wanted just single designs that fit on one block instead of all over. No one does many of these - they seem more into a continuous design like stippling. I was doing a raggy, and the fabric was the showpiece so minimum quilting did it. I have old books with these single designs in them.

JulieR

Excellent advice!

Luv Quilts and Cats

I am thinking of taking the plunge and practice on smaller quilts.

QuiltnNan

i found the same thing to be true. and my quilting is not gorgeous either. but the quilts i give have been very well received and they can't tell that it's not perfect.

Joy Higdon

That is so true, Nan. I have created designs I have never seen before trying to do a swirl, feather, paisley. But when I make a mistake I just call it the Joy stitch. My non-quilting friends and family will certainly be fooled.

Blackberry

I so totally agree. Forget about perfection because that can stop your progress cold. You may never achieve perfection because few, if any of us, do but just enjoy the experience of creating something that's different from anyone else.

Skittl1321

I agree- you just have to try, and practice. Anyone can do this!

newbee3

I was at a quilt store yeterday and noticed that some of the quilting was not perfect. I honestly think that none of them are perfect and really it is the enjoyment of doing the quilt and then gifting it.

Dragonomine

I'm trying! Still scared. lol