Getting good at FMQ

I still don't feel comfortable with FMQing. My practice pieces look okay in places, but I sort of tense up at the thought of doing it on something I want to turn out nice. :)

I am a beginner quilter but wanted to learn FMQ so I used Leah Days tutorials, used information from an excellent FMQ book Heirloom Quilting. The information I got from this book I think helped me the most. I also practice as much as I can. I also make Muslim practice squares with scrape leftover batting and date my squares to see if I am improving. This weekend I stippled my first project and while it does have mistakes it came out ok for my first time but I think practice and proper tools are key.

I still have not master FMQ yet but besides all the great advice you have already received one of the things that helped me was someone (I think Lea Day) said. "don't watch the needle but instead watch just in front of it; were you want to go"

Thanks everyone for your help. I feel a little better about what I'm doing and I am sure eventually I'll get better. You guys are great!

I haven't ever tried to FMQ, scares me. I have just SITD. I think quilts look so much nicer and hold up better when they have been FMQ. Good luck!

It took me time over several months. Each sewing machine is different too so you will have to feel each one out. Pick one and stick to it while you are learning.

Every new design I do on a practice sandwich! You'll never be "perfect" but you can always get better. Once you develop your own style and figure out what you like to use (gloves or no gloves, supreme slider or just a flat surface, certain threads) you'll be rockin!

Ok.. here's my opinion.... relax is the first thing...but more important... it takes a lot of patience to FMQ on a home machine without a frame... when i got interested in quilting i tried 2 quilts on my machine.... of course it wasn't perfect.. and stippling is NOT in my bag of tricks.. so i'm content with the loop de loop.... now all that being said... it took so long and i hated most of it, that i went pricing a frame... i bought a pinnacle grace frame and the package came with a janome 1600 high speed machine... DH set it up at the smallest size and it took a while, but i got the hang of it... decided i liked it, but wanted bigger, so he took it apart and we went out to the full 10 or 12 ft.. i guess... NOW,,, it's in the middle of the sewing room and i have to walk around it every time i want to go from the pressing area to sewing... (i tell myself it excercise.. LOL)... I don't dare say yet that i'd like to get a bigger throat machine... i'm using what i have and getting good at it... going to stay content with that... as long as i'm happy with "side to side" stitching... and so far it's enough.. it's fun... there is a learning curve, but if you want the beautiful quilts , i recommend going for the "big stuff"... i have a friend that has the "Millinieum"... but we are talking huge dollars.. she's got lots of room and is making some money at it.. of course, she had to invest even more to get the computerized thing,,, so she can "stitch" and let the machine work.. LOL
Sooooooooooooo all that being said... looking at some of the SITD quilts here that are so nicely done... it's stick to that or go larger..ME... i've got a lot of fabric to use up....i had to do something... perish the thought, i get rid of any of it!!! hehehe

[QUOTE=mrsg730;99430]I am a beginner quilter but wanted to learn FMQ so I used Leah Days tutorialsQUOTE]

I haven't attempted FMQ but did check out L.D. tutorials and find them great! Maybe this summer, when I have time off, I'll give it a go.

I'm just taking a break from some FMQ and have more to say, of course. First, listen to your machine! It will tell you when you're going too fast or if the tension isn't right. When everything is just as it should be it will hum right along. Another thing to listen to is music! It will help you to relax and enjoy yourself more. I quilt until a CD has ended. Then I know I need to take a little break. There! Two more cents from CyndioftheVortex!

Okay, I love, love to FMQ. No I'm not very good at it but I still love to do it. As I have said before I bought the Craftsy classes by Ann Peterson on FMQ and she is wonderful. I have learned so much from her. It does take lots and lots of practice but even the pratice can be fun. The difficult part is learning the proper speed of your hands to the machine. That is when you can start making the proper size stitches. I'm still trying.