Flying_V_Goddess

Yesterday while cleaning my room I found a sketch for a quilt (that I hardly remember drafting) that had gotten buried underneath a huge pile of papers. Just thought it was just a simple black and red patchwork quilt...that is until I read the little note at the bottom that explained there's supposed to be "intricate tattoo-like roses and skulls" stitched into each block.

My hand sewing skills are so bad that I wouldn't want to attempt quilting such a intricate design into a quilt by hand, but I have a feeling machine quilting it would have its problems as well. What would make machine quilting an intricate design a little bit easier and less nerve wracking?

Norah

At first, I was going to say nothing would, but I have to say now, nothing but practice would. But, if anyone can do it, you can. Study your design well to plot out the best route to take when you are sewing so that there are not a lot of starts and stops. Try to make it flow. Good luck, sweetheart.

refibered

Practice, Practice, Practice! :D

Are you planning to FMQ the design or make a pattern/template? Whatever you decide, make a couple of quilt sandwiches and transfer your pattern to them, then do some experimenting with quilting it. You may find that you'll have to adjust your pattern a bit, you may find that it's super easy and you don't need a pattern at all....

A couple of other things I do when FMQ: relax, listen to music, stop "thinking" and just start "doing"!

Good Luck and Have Fun!

rf

cynde

One of the best pieces of advice I got for FMQ was to have a glass of wine to relax before hand. You can't do it if you are tense.

Yvonne

trace it several times with a pencil before hand so you know how you're going to stitch it and then start on the machine with a practice square.

Steve

The worse you could do is not try, besides, there are such things as seam rippers and they were made for a reason (and people like me).

Flying_V_Goddess

I probably already know the answer, but what does FMQ stand for?

I highly doubt that I won't need a pattern. Knowing me, I'll go beyond what my skill level can handle and pick out a design with a ridiculous amount of lines which will make it impossible to work without a pattern.

When stitching a design do you start from the center and work outward or doesn't it matter a whole lot?

lin

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I tend to start at a place where I will have less starts and stops whenever possible. If there is a long, continuous line that will take me into another line without stopping, then that's where I start. It's a pain to stop and start, but worth the effort for an intricate pattern. I give you kudos for wanting to try, Flying_V!! I was too chicken to do much but in-the-ditch and all-over patterns for a long time. Go into it understanding that it might take a little while to complete the quilting, and take your time and enjoy the process. :)

Knot Sew

Could use a computer to make skull design, or you could fancy cut the designs and applique, or how about fabric crayons or paints? Lots of ways, keep the design and hang it on the wall, Yiu will come up with a good way to use your unique design. :-)

refibered

FMQ = Free Motion Quilting

I second the coloring book idea -- for lots of quilting/applique patterns. Even combine pages to make your design. You could also draw the design yourself and make copies of it for using on your quilt. Oh, and check out tattoo parlors. They may be willing to let you copy something there.....or they may not. Those designs are usually copyrighted.

rf