I love free motion quilting. I dream about it at night. I study quilts, and quilters for hours. I watch endless technique videos, own many books, have bought several Craftsy classes. There are a million and one tips and products out there to help you get the most out of your quilting.
I’m not claiming to be an expert, but of all that I have read, studied and watched, here is my number one tip.
Are you ready for it?
Step AWAY from the sewing machine.
Yes, I know that seems to be a little strange, but bear with me. The one thing that has made a difference to my quilting, which has helped me go from stippling to feathers? Stop trying so hard. Don’t stress about wasting fabric and thread. Don’t google one more gadget which is guaranteed to turn you into a kick-butt quilter overnight.
Get some paper and a pencil. I keep a spiral bound art journal near me most of the time. When I’m stuck in bed and I can’t get to my machine, when I’m waiting at the doctors, or in the car. I draw.
Play with shapes and lines, and teach yourself how those shapes interlock, how they repeat. How they stack or stagger, and how you move around them.
I find it ridiculous that I can stitch feathers, but can’t get my brain/eye co-ordination thing around swirls. Surely they are a quilting basic?
Ahhh, swirling feathers. That’s nicer. You can see, I just don’t care how these look. I’m playing with the shapes, with how they interlock. Seeing what changes in scale may do to them. I will practice a drawing over and over again, page after page, until I feel comfortable with it.
Only then will I grab some scrap fabric and batting and try stitching it out. Sometimes it just clicks, and sometimes I get hopelessly lost. Then I go back to my book and draw some more, working out where I went wrong and what I need to do differently next time.
So there it is, my number one tip for better free motion quilting. Just draw. No pressure. No judges. Page after page of swirls or feathers, stipple or pebbles. If you are struggling with quilting, I would really encourage you to give it a try. If it helps you, I’d love to hear it!
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JO
i agree – sketching is the key. I still sketch pattern on the steamed up shower screen every morning. I love that top quilt…so much. I still struggle with stippling but can do feathers and swirls – isn’t it funny how the more simple designs can be a struggle?
Cassandra
I have no idea why the difference….. I think it has to do with how your brain works? But practice, practice practice!!
lisa chambers
Hello! I agree you are so right! Practice practice practice. I think it also has to do with your speed to movement ratio as well. Once you have grasped that you can get your fmq on. I can do swirls but pebbles gets me stuck all the time! Very frustrating as it looks easy but is hard for me! I think I will have to watch you next time I come over! Can’t wait for a little pebble lesson!
Cassandra
I’d love to give you a lesson! Pebbles are harder than they look, but once you get into a rhythm with them, you can get a lot done quite quickly.
Fiona
I need to buy an art pad…
Cassandra
Any old drawing pad or notebook will do. I love to get the school supply ones cheap. Or do as Jo does, use the shower screen!