My first try at FMQ Stippling....

I started a quilt with pinwheels..ended up with only 6 and not enough to make a full size quilt, so I made it into a doll size quilt. I figured I'd practice the pinwheels, and FMQ stippling and give it to my girls to play with. It is 2'x3'.

THe pinwheels came out okay...need tad bit more practice, but I get the procedure. Now..today I tired my hand at stippling...and it isn't that hard! I know I need more practice, but I was expecting it to be so hard. It isn't...just need to pace yourself iwth the speed of the machine.

Tips I have figured....go faster than you think you "can". I found that if I went slow, like your intuition tells you too....I was pulling and pushing so hard! No feed dogs, so I didn't understand why it was so hard...but seemed the faster I went, the easier and smoother it went. And it was easier to set pace for same length stitches.

I didn't find the "perfect" way to go...up, down, across, but still...instinct tells me to stop and turn and go down. It is hard to make myself realize...I can go any way I want to! I don't have to stop and turn and start again..I just go that way without stopping! BUt I did feel that going upwards seemed to be "easier"..odd as I couldn't see where I was going, but in matter of "pushing/pulling" up seemed easiest.

I used the matching color thread on top of the pinwheel and white on the bobbin thread cause the back is all white and I didn't want those colors on the back...now thinking that might have been pretty nice looking to have those colors just "stippled" around on white....but...the tension was fine as I had black on top, white on bottom and hardly saw any of the black on the botton except for irregular stitches...being my fault. I remmber a discussion about this a bit ago....if the tension is good, seems the top color won't go through to the bottom. I used green on top, white on bottom etc.

But..my only problem was... I didn't have a pattern to stipple. I just did the movements on my own, again, trying to learn and practice the motion and movement.. Problem was...oddly enough...I'd get to where I didn't know what to do...which way to go and got kind of hung up trying to figure that out! But with a pattern to follow that will end next time. But I just did loops and curves and circles which is the motion I was trying to learn.

It all came out pretty good for a first try....literally just since I have been onthis forum...I learned about stippling. Didn't know about it before. Part of me likes it, part doesn't. The problem on this quilt now that it is doen with stippling...is the quilt is to stiff. 2'x3' isn't that big, but the stippling made it really stiff...as in not floppy or wrap up-able. I think it was cause my stippling is to small...and to tight. I FMQ'd the insdie of the pinwheels, the white sashing they were stitched to and the purple middle sashing that is between all white blocks. I haven't put the binding onit yet, but I think next time, a pattern to follow and not make all the stitches so close together. My stitches were pretty good (for first time) as far as equal length, but I think I just did to much, to close together.

But I am a fan of FMQ now. And intend to find good patterns....question...only patterns I have seen are stencil style...you must need a fabric marker kind of pen to chalk it on and then it will brush off? What do you use for stippling patterns? I'l post pic soon as I finish it.

And if you nave never tried it...try it! It really isn't that hard as it seems.

Don't forget to show the finished product! I just tried it myself about two weeks ago and I didn't do too bad either exept for small and large stitches but that gets better with practice I hear!

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Originally Posted by trevo29

Don't forget to show the finished product! I just tried it myself about two weeks ago and I didn't do too bad either exept for small and large stitches but that gets better with practice I hear!

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That is where I found the speed to help ALOT.... to slow and the stitches were to close or I was pulling to much and making them to long!

If you look online for pantographs there are lots of them. Print one out on your printer. If you place a bright light under glass you can use it for a tracing table. Tape down the printed pantograph. Put the quilt top over it and you should be able to trace the pattern onto your fabric. I haven't tried it yet but word has it that this works. If you don't want to FMQ edge to edge you should be able to adapt some of the designs so you're quilting in small sections. Figure out the size of the area you are comfortable quilting before you have to shift the quilt under the needle. Take a piece of paper the size of that area and fill the paper with your design. You can finish off the edges of the design sort of like connecting the dots.

Good for you in venturing into FMQ. I have used the pounce tool and chalk with template and it worked well. For stippling I just have free hand meandered orvused a stitch programmed on my machine. Can't wait to see a pic of your quilt!

congrats on fmq!!!! I love to fmq. I don't usually follow a pattern---my stitches look better when I just go with the flow. When I do have to follow some sort of a line or pattern==I will draw it with a water soluable marker. yes, I agree, when you go faster---it is easier and looks nicer. I also found that when you use alot of tight and close stitches--your quilt will get stiffer, plus it also depends on the type of batting you use.

I am going digging in my files for you. A few weeks ago there was a post here with a link to a site that had patterns to practice for FMQ. They came as PDF files and I downloaded all of them but don't think I kept the link. Anyway, it would be a great site to get familiar with and to 'learn' new ways of movement for your stippling and FMQ. I'll see if I can find it when I finish up here and post for you.

Okay, I found them (would you believe, because I'm left-handed I'd downloaded the left-handed designs and had to read the web address backwards . . . just one of many on my growing list of talents . . . ahem): http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/free-downloads/


There are several designs and three various pages full of designs. Take a look at them all and then go back to her home page and play around (ALL DAY LONG).

Thanks to the wonderful person who originally turned me on to this site.

Just found your link for the download & all the patterns, love it. Thanks I think I'm ready to give FMQ a try.

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Originally Posted by Sandy Navas

Okay, I found them (would you believe, because I'm left-handed I'd downloaded the left-handed designs and had to read the web address backwards . . . just one of many on my growing list of talents . . . ahem): http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/free-downloads/


There are several designs and three various pages full of designs. Take a look at them all and then go back to her home page and play around (ALL DAY LONG).

Thanks to the wonderful person who originally turned me on to this site.

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i have seen that site... it's fantastic... i just have to take the time to "print them out, and tape them down on my table"... one would think i would have done that by now... LOL... but it just feels so much easier to do the loop de loop and go at my own pace... now you've reminded me to "get going"... now, only to clean all the stuff that piled on top of it!!!!!!:)

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Originally Posted by Sandy Navas

Okay, I found them (would you believe, because I'm left-handed I'd downloaded the left-handed designs and had to read the web address backwards . . . just one of many on my growing list of talents . . . ahem): http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/free-downloads/


There are several designs and three various pages full of designs. Take a look at them all and then go back to her home page and play around (ALL DAY LONG).

Thanks to the wonderful person who originally turned me on to this site.

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Sandy, thanks so much for the link!

Sandy, thanks for that link, left or right handed!!!!