Can you FMQ with a paper guide? Can it be done?

LOL, I thought I was the only one not getting the powder to come out of pad! I mean how low tech can you go and I can not get it to work right! LOL

I do know that you are supposed to swipe it across the template instead of patting it on there, but I'll be darn if I can get it to work like Eleanor does! LOL

I did just buy some quilters preview paper from Quilters Touch. (WoW, they shipped it really fast,) I just got it last eve and have yet to open it and use it. But I'm excited to try it. I'll let you know….


PS How do you get this powder thing to Pouf?

Make sure you have pounced the chalk out on the surface of the pad by pouncing it on scrap fabric or paper, then you can rub it on easily.

I found some plastic that is pierced all over with tiny holes. You draw your design on it, then put it in place and trace over it with a water soluable pen. I am about to try it, I'll let you know how it works once I try it out.

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Originally Posted by Slokarma

LOL, I thought I was the only one not getting the powder to come out of pad! I mean how low tech can you go and I can not get it to work right! LOL

PS How do you get this powder thing to Pouf?

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When you first fill it, pounce it on something at least 100x to get the chalk flowing. Once that happens, it works like a charm. Every once in a while, you have to pounce it a few times and then again when you refill the chalk.

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Originally Posted by Iris Girl

I use paper all the time, I print out images onto regular paper and then pin them where I want them on my quilt. Then just sew on the line, tear the paper away( this is the messy part) and Voila you have a beautiful design on your quilt.

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How big of an area would be the biggest you would use?

I just used a pounce and template for the first time. I went crazy and pounced the design all over the project that I was working on, and THEN low 'n behold, all the areas I wasn't quilting in, rubbed off and I had to re-do.

note to self: only pounce the EXACT area you are immediately working in.

The pounce chalk, after quilting, did disappear really really easy though. (used the sleeve of my robe as it was handy)

The jury is still out as to how I feel about the whole pouncing thing though.

There's a very good YouTube video called 'Kaye Wood Bold Beginnings Quilting Stencils & Paper' where they show how to make the paper templates with your sewing machine. You print out your design and then lay that printed copy on a stack of thin tracing paper and sew through the whole pile, following the design, without thread of course. Each piece of paper is placed on the quilt, pinned I suppose, and then you quilt over the holes (with thread) and the paper is very easy to remove. She says she can vacuum off the excess pieces! Haven't tried it yet but it sure sounds fun. (Sorry, I'm new here and don't know how to attach a link yet :icon_rolleyes:)

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Originally Posted by Sondra

All my quilts are FMQ'd on a home machine and I can stipple and I've used templates for drawing lines etc, chalk, frixion pens, you name it.
However for my latest quilt (the kaleidoscope one) i really feel the kaleidoscopes and negative spaces need more of a precise mandala type of design.

I am not a human computer nor is my expertise up to being that precise. However I do know how to print onto freezer paper or trace on disovable embroidery paper I guess.

SO......I'm wondering if anyone has ever used paper templates for FMQ then tore the paper away? Am I crazy for thinking this is a worth a try?

Someday when I'm rich I'll buy a longarm with computer but until then I need a poor man's answer to my quilting needs.

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I use Golden Threads tracing paper ( connecting threads has good price) and use patterns from books and from the internet. Love this method for instance when I needed reindeer for Christmas or peace signs for the Piece out Quilt (MSQC). If you quilt a small design you will need tweezers at times but well worth the effort in my opinion. Good luck

Thank you everyone! This is very helpful! As you can tell I am still a "newbie" learning new tricks. I love that we have such a wealth of experience here on the boards!

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Originally Posted by Hulamoon

How big of an area would be the biggest you would use?

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I have done entire quilts this way, Just don't pin them all on at one time, pin 5 or 6 them do your fmq then I rip off the paper so I can see what I have done and then pin more on. The hard part is the ripping it off my sewing room floor always looks like a snow storm hit it. Depending on the area you need to be fmq'd it could take a lot of prints since paper is only 8.5 x 11.

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Originally Posted by Racing Nana

The jury is still out as to how I feel about the whole pouncing thing though.

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I have a love /hate relationship with pounce. I find it very messy, but love that it irons off. I use it for dark fabrics where my frixion pens won't show.