Is there some magic spell or fairy dust that'll help with free motion quilting?
03-12-2011, 12:21 PM
#83
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Joplin, Missouri
Posts: 1,058
I think PRACTICE is the magic when it comes to fmq..
Other things that have helped me is to have the bed of the machine even with the table...
tape a silcone oven liner or something slippery under the needle area (I cut a hole where my needles stitches)
wear quilter's gloves, they are expensive so I use garden gloves with rubberized fingers.
draw your pattern on large sheets of paper.. or just use the paper and a dull needle, with no thread, to practice..
do some every day.. not for hours, but some time anyway.
Remember you can stop when you don't know where you're headed next.
Your project will look better than you think it's going to when it gets all done. No one sees each curve and line, but rather the overall effect.
Oh.. did I say practice, practice, practice!!
Other things that have helped me is to have the bed of the machine even with the table...
tape a silcone oven liner or something slippery under the needle area (I cut a hole where my needles stitches)
wear quilter's gloves, they are expensive so I use garden gloves with rubberized fingers.
draw your pattern on large sheets of paper.. or just use the paper and a dull needle, with no thread, to practice..
do some every day.. not for hours, but some time anyway.
Remember you can stop when you don't know where you're headed next.
Your project will look better than you think it's going to when it gets all done. No one sees each curve and line, but rather the overall effect.
Oh.. did I say practice, practice, practice!!
03-12-2011, 12:31 PM
#84
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: N Texas
Posts: 1,134
Well, I decided my name and names of friends are already in my mind so I practised FMQ by sewing names. Then I could set the machine tension & all the other stuff correctly prior to trying loops, circles & stars. 6 months of practice made such a difference. I just kept practice sandwiches on the machine about 12" square. When filled with stitching I added a muslin to top & bottom and stitched till it got too thick. I use different color threads on top & bottom so I could see which thread caused the issues. I haven't FMQ since before Christmas so now I would practice again before working on an actual item. Hope this helps someone.
03-12-2011, 12:34 PM
#85
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: N Texas
Posts: 1,134
Instead of expensive silicone sheet, I purchased a yard or so of clear vinyl at Hobby Lobby. Cut it to fit the needle etc. It covers a large area so there is no drag on the quilt top to the left of the needle.
I use Mr. Clean blue & white scrubbers instead of a halo. Easily moves the fabric. I had some on hand and just I would try it. I liked it!
Low budget quilting here.
I use Mr. Clean blue & white scrubbers instead of a halo. Easily moves the fabric. I had some on hand and just I would try it. I liked it!
Low budget quilting here.
03-12-2011, 01:04 PM
#87
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SE Ohio
Posts: 20
While practicing, why not use a water soluable pen (the ones from JoAnn work as well as the ones from a quilt shop)and draw your design on the fabric, then practice your quilting with the design on the fabric for you to see. That way you can learn to control the speed and motion with your hands, then when you master that, go to the free-hand design. BTW, it is much easier when you have on the quilters gloves with the rubbery dots on the fingers. Oh, yes, the next most important part is to have the quilt on a level surface with your machine. If it is hanging off the table the weight will distort the stitching.
03-12-2011, 01:05 PM
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Brownwood TX
Posts: 747
What do you mean about turning machine around to face you? To me facing means like you have it when you are sewing. Do you mean having the end of the machine by the needle face you? I need all the help and then more so I want to make sure I am getting this right.
Thanks!
Robin in TX
Turn your machine around to face you. When you look at FMQ set ups like the Flynn or the HQ Sweet Sixteen or the Easy Quilter Track System, the machines are all facing you.
Thanks!
Robin in TX
Turn your machine around to face you. When you look at FMQ set ups like the Flynn or the HQ Sweet Sixteen or the Easy Quilter Track System, the machines are all facing you.
03-12-2011, 02:26 PM
#89
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 1,015
Originally Posted by tsdelvis
I'm using a Pfaff Creative 1471. I finally figured out the presser foot setting to use - it's surely not clear in the manual! :? I've scoured the internet sites and youtube for help with FMQ.
Basically they all pretty much say to practice every day for 2 years and you might eventually get the hang of it. I think you must also have to hold your tongue right, turn your fingers into rubber, and mindmeld with the machine.
My hardest things to conquer are regulating speed, stitch length, and a wonky bobbin thread that wants to peek thru the top.
Any hints or words of wisdom?
Basically they all pretty much say to practice every day for 2 years and you might eventually get the hang of it. I think you must also have to hold your tongue right, turn your fingers into rubber, and mindmeld with the machine.
My hardest things to conquer are regulating speed, stitch length, and a wonky bobbin thread that wants to peek thru the top.
Any hints or words of wisdom?
Let me know if you find any--I too am looking!
03-12-2011, 03:04 PM
#90
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Augusta, Maine
Posts: 666
Do you have a stop/start button? I was having trouble trying to keep my mind on my foot pedal and speed plus my hands and i tried using my auto button at a medium speed and i didn't have to worry about my foot and concetrated on my hand movement. It seemed to help me a lot. Hope this helped.
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