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January 29th, 2013, 10:19 AM
#1
Junior Member
Fabric Fanatic
New to free motion quilting- help!
Hi all! So excited about my first real quilt! Ready to try some free motion quilting made some sample sandwiches but Aggh!,, can someone give me some tips PLEEZE :-( some of the stitches are perfect then some are longer perfect longer,etc what am I doing wrong? Don't want to mess up my first baby quilt.
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January 29th, 2013, 10:23 AM
#2
Senior Member
Batting Beauty
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!
Leah Day on YouTube! Seriously. GOOD LUCK!!!
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January 29th, 2013, 10:28 AM
#3
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!
Slow down! And keep practicing!
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January 29th, 2013, 10:33 AM
#4
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!
I have the same issues, but I think we are all harder on ourselves than others are. We see the imperfections more so than others. Just relax and try not to obsess over it and in time we will both become more proficient - I hope!
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January 29th, 2013, 10:34 AM
#5
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!
The trick is getting the correct ratio to the speed of the machine and how fast you move the fabric. It takes some practice but once you figure it out you can get pretty consistent stitches. Just remember, the faster you move the fabric, the bigger your stitches, so if you want little stitches, slow down your movements.
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January 29th, 2013, 10:39 AM
#6
Senior Member
The Guild President
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!
Sing it!. I have the same problem, but if I follow a song that I can hear the beat or rhyme and time the needle to it, it goes better.
I've been using the TMobile ad - one, two Kalamazoo. (One, two, buckle my shoe) You could also use a metronome. Most cell phones have a free app that will keep time. As you improve, find another song.
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January 29th, 2013, 01:06 PM
#7
Senior Member
9 Patch Princess
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!
Quick question on this...are the feed dogs supposed to be down?
I never put mine down, but someone on a newsletter said she did.
thanks
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January 29th, 2013, 01:10 PM
#8
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!
Either feed dogs down or stitch length set to 0. Lately I have been doing the latter with good results.
Remember, you are moving the fabric, not the machine.
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January 29th, 2013, 01:24 PM
#9
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!

Originally Posted by
Roxanne
Either feed dogs down or stitch length set to 0. Lately I have been doing the latter with good results.
Remember, you are moving the fabric, not the machine.
That's a good tip for those machines that you can't lower the feed dogs on - like mine. I have been using duct tape to hold a refrigerator magnet over mine. Necessity IS the mother of invention!
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January 29th, 2013, 01:24 PM
#10
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: New to free motion quilting- help!
I am just getting the hang of FMQ it does take time and a lot of my stitches are still inconsistent. practice practice practice after my first attempt i said i would never do that again but I went on to do it again and again and again. feed dogs should be down as you are the on moving the fabric not the machine. Not sure what kind of machine you have , my Pfaff has a setting to put for FMQ yours may also.
Good luck and don't give up