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This will be my first attempt at fmq. I have been practicing and practicing. I thought maybe I should practice with the correct thread. What weight to use? And which brand is the best in your opinion? I have only made a few lap quilts and a table topper. I wont mention my first attempt, placemats, boy did I learn from my mistakes. I love reading all the posts. Very helpful and I must say Cheerful & funny. Thanks for making me laugh and for the help.
Practice is the key - and I am still in practice mode too. I use 40 or 50 I think, but not sure since I bought a big cone @ Paducha quilt show. It was what the expert there talked to me about for my mid-arm machine. I think the more expert folks will need to give you guidance on thread - I would probably guide you wrong, but please post your project when you finish!
I normally use a 50 weight thread for FMQ. It seems to work out pretty darn good for me. I have different brands - Connecting Threads, Superior, Sulky, King Tut for the most part, but really, it is whatever your machine likes.
I got this brilliant idea to try some FMQ with a size 12 thread (thicker), thought it would look neat - well, where it worked right, it did look cool but I had to deal with a lot of thread breakage, loops and just about every other bad thing you can think of. So, don't get a size 12 thread. ;)
Thanks. I am using a JUKI F-600 Exceed. It seems to like all threads. I really have enjoyed what little quilting I have done. On all 3 of the lap quilts I have done I have done SID...want to try something different on my special "My States" wall hanging.
Thanks Karen, I have read so many articles about thread I was stumped. I have quilted my what I call "My States" wall hanging. It has quilt blocks from the states I have lived in. I love them all. Only 3, that's enough.
I'm not sure my thanks showed up. TYVM!
I use Connecting Threads 100% cotton...it is either 40 or 50 wt..can't remember at the moment. But I use that for piecing and for FMQ'ing...everything. Ijust make sure the same thread is in the top as in the bobbin. I have also used 100% polyester...I think it works fine, but my machine prefers cotton threads to reduce breakage and all those other problems. I use a 9 needle size, but have heard (buy haven't tried yet) that using a 100 needle might be good for FMQ'ing to reduce thread lint which causes thread breakage. But yes, practice, ten times over! I was pretty good at meandering FMQ, but then stopped quilting for about a month doing other things, and just went back this week to quilt and kind of lost "the touch" and had to do some practice sandwiches to "remind" myself! Generally speaking, your hands will want to move faster than they are supposed to simply because of the sound of the needle and machine going so fast...kind of like a mental thing....your mind telling your hands.... "the needle and machine are moving this fast, now you hands...you move fast to keep up". But really, you don't move hands as fast as you might think. Move hands faster than needle and you get the loops and long stitches on the back that look bad. Move hands to slow and you get short tight stitches that look bad! Keep at it tho.. you'll get it. I thought I'd never figure it out, but I did..and still I practice practice practice. I just made a bunch of doll quilts for my grand daughters to play with...that was great practice!
I like Isacord or Superior polyester for fmq. I think they are 50 (maybe one is 40). But either works great for me. I just use my regular 80 needle with no issues either. I have a Babylock Grace
Hi there
I use Isacord (no idea which weight this is), a topstitch-needle and the supreme slider.
works fine for me.
Thanks everyone for you help. This is a great place!
Superior King Tut 40 wt. is the best. I've also used YLI, but it creates more fuzz. I've recently tried Signature 40 wt. But hands down, my favorite is King Tut. JCY
This is my unfinished wall hanging until I gain the courage to do the FAQ on it. Thanks everyone.Attachment 65438. Alabama at the top, Ohio in the middle and Louisiana at the bottom.
