Just dont do like I do--pull the instructions out thinking you will be able to start right away and then something comes up and the pattern gets lost :!:

I made one in blues & white for my Mother last year for Mother's Day. I "doubled the recipe" for a King size with lots of side drape. I added a 6" (finished) border all around using the focal fabric. (Yes, it is HUGE!!!) I free-motion quilted it (on my home machine) and she cried when she received it. I am not trying to brag, but merely point out that ANY quilt can be FMQ'd on a home machine... the bigger ones do take more patience. For a quilt this size, I turn my machine so it sitting just like a long-arm. This allows AMPLE space on each side of your machine for your quilt to rest. The big blocks of the Turning Twenty pattern (16" finished) are perfect for FMQ, especially for beginners. To quilt the center, I used a small 2 foot long dowel to roll the quilt edge, inside the throat space, onto. (This gives me a smaller roll than just using bike clips.) I am heading out of town for the weekend, but can send you some pics next week if you want. Just PM me with your email address. I have tendonitis in my wrists because of working on computers, so I will warn you (anyone) if FMQ is in your future and you have any joint issues, save yourself lots of pain & buy the quilting gloves. I LOVE FMQ and will be glad to provide any assistance I can. If you have any questions I may be able to answer, please feel free to ask. :-)

I think you re very talented. Thanks for sharing it. :)

Thanks for all the tips... this idea is great! I never even thought of turning the machine! I have a couple of quilts I am working on for a women's shelter and I am planning on trying my hand at FMQing.

Barb C

Have you tried a Jacob's Ladder? This is SO easy, and it turns out beautifully. It just has squares and half-square triangles. It looks much harder than it is.

I usually make large square blocks so it goes together quickly.
Try it, you'll love it

MS1FINLEY wrote:

A coupe of questions first...

What is your purpose in quilting? Do you want quilts quickly for the families beds? What sizes? for what age groups?
Do you want to increase your skills?
Both?

Wow...it's been a long time since I looked at this line. SO MANY IDEAS, so little time. Thought I would answer the questions...

I quilt because it's beautiful and I would like to be able to do something I can take some semblance of pride in. More pride in being able to accomplish something for a change than the work itself. I not only want bedding for my family and to give away, but I like all the different patterns. I'm working on my first queen now, but all sizes. Not a big fan of runners or wall hangings yet. I want to increase my ability so I'd like to work easy first and then move up to intermediate etc. Someday I'd even like to hand piece.

I do have some trouble though. Serious eyesight issues run in the family and I'd like to be able to do as much as I can in the time given me. Also, I have colorblindness-type problems so I always have someone with me to help with color design. But I am rather proud of what I have done so far. I have completed 2 4-patch baby quilts, 2 rail fence lap quilts and I have done 2 more tops to match, just trying to get them done. While I can pick out each and every mistake and they stand out like neon lights, I am happy that they resemble what they should and that I completed them. I try not to say F***** as I think that is considered a swear word here.

I do love all the ideas seen here. I thought I had posted a list of all I bookmarked, but evidently not. It was lovely to get a refresher here. While I have to bookmark all over again, I do get to enjoy looking at all the patterns again soon.

Thanks everyone who replied here.

~M~

Turning twenty is supposed to be easy, but make sure you did not do what this blonde did and read through the instructions! I have too many of one section, and NONE of another! :x :oops: :evil: :!:

Well, you're not alone. It is VERY easy to fold your FQ the wrong direction and not have enough legnth to cut the proper amount of pieces from each. My solution was to recut some of the pieces and join them (different fabrics) to make the piece size I needed. It adds a bit more interest to the overall quilt top. It is a scrappy pattern, so noone will notice it as an error.

I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, and the faster I can get a quilt done the better. I am going to challenge myself to one of PLUM CREEKS star quilts later on this year. Judy Neimeyer is another one whose quilts I love.

Thank you all so very much for your help.

I highly recommend "Your First Quilt Book" and "Learn to Machine Quilt " as books for the beginner. These are the easiest, fastest quilt patterns and very good instructions in each one.

You can find them on Amazon.com for a lot less than the fabric shops sell them for. :D