What Is Free Motion Quilting
01-02-2011, 10:46 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Ohio... wanna build a cabin in the woods and live off the land... and quilt all day!
Posts: 990
Originally Posted by GrannieAnnie
Originally Posted by fabric whisperer
Needless to say, I stitched out whole last name (11 letters long) by FMQ on the length of the scarf... Steal that, ya brats, i can prove its mine!!!
01-02-2011, 11:08 AM
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
Originally Posted by GrannieAnnie
Okay, what about those of us who can't draw any better than a kindergartner?
2. Instead of working on a full quilt to start, use scraps or blocks. That way you can focus on the technique and give yourself permission to mess up. When you feel confident on the test piece THEN move on to the quilt.
3. To me, the answer to the original question lies in the term itself "Free" - as in, the fabric moves without being constricted by the feed dogs, and "Motion" - as in the fabric is being moved by the hand of the quilter in a pattern. The pattern is not that important because it can range from stippling to meandering, to well- designed patterns.
4. To learn more FMQ patterns check out Leah Day's website. She is developing a quilt-pattern for each day of the year and she works in 6" squares.
01-02-2011, 07:29 PM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by MadQuilter
Originally Posted by GrannieAnnie
Okay, what about those of us who can't draw any better than a kindergartner?
2. Instead of working on a full quilt to start, use scraps or blocks. That way you can focus on the technique and give yourself permission to mess up. When you feel confident on the test piece THEN move on to the quilt.
3. To me, the answer to the original question lies in the term itself "Free" - as in, the fabric moves without being constricted by the feed dogs, and "Motion" - as in the fabric is being moved by the hand of the quilter in a pattern. The pattern is not that important because it can range from stippling to meandering, to well- designed patterns.
4. To learn more FMQ patterns check out Leah Day's website. She is developing a quilt-pattern for each day of the year and she works in 6" squares.
Good advice otherwise. Thanks
01-02-2011, 07:46 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LA
Posts: 1,551
I FMQ'ed a king size quilt for son and dil that had the entire "Our Father" written in, what else, quilting. I started on the bottom center and went in a complete circle around a center border. It was tough, but quite doable. Now that I have a LAM, I don't do the intricate stuff. I'm struggling to drive it.
I do have a suggestion for the scrap practice pieces. I use muslin on the bottom and ugly fabric on top. (I don't know how I always have yards of ugly fabric). I practice on fairly large pieces.....about twin size. Once I've finished practicing, I cut it into 30 inch squares and serge the edges for a clean finish. Then donate them to a nursing home. They use these bed pads for bedridden patients. The nurses and aides are able to move a patient in the bed using the pad by grabbing the corners and lifting. Naturally, I can't supply enough for the local home, but every one helps. Even the ugly fabric pads are appreciated.
I do have a suggestion for the scrap practice pieces. I use muslin on the bottom and ugly fabric on top. (I don't know how I always have yards of ugly fabric). I practice on fairly large pieces.....about twin size. Once I've finished practicing, I cut it into 30 inch squares and serge the edges for a clean finish. Then donate them to a nursing home. They use these bed pads for bedridden patients. The nurses and aides are able to move a patient in the bed using the pad by grabbing the corners and lifting. Naturally, I can't supply enough for the local home, but every one helps. Even the ugly fabric pads are appreciated.
01-02-2011, 07:53 PM
#25
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
FMQ is really fun on the older Berninas and Kenmore machines..they really know how to Free motion! BUT they were made for monogramming and repairing, so they can take it!
Lots of professionals do FMQ on domestic machines!
Lots of professionals do FMQ on domestic machines!
01-02-2011, 08:00 PM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,304
Originally Posted by thepolyparrot
"Free-motion" just means that your stitching isn't machine-guided - you are free to drive the fabric in any direction, instead of driving it forward in a line as when you're allowing the feed dogs to drive it. :)
You can do squiggles, but you can also draw anything that you can draw with a pencil on paper - loops, flowers, color-book drawings, feathers, swirls, spirals, etc.
And you can go beyond line drawings into free-motion embroidery - or thread-painting, as it's sometimes called.
You can do squiggles, but you can also draw anything that you can draw with a pencil on paper - loops, flowers, color-book drawings, feathers, swirls, spirals, etc.
And you can go beyond line drawings into free-motion embroidery - or thread-painting, as it's sometimes called.
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