Fear-No-More FMQers

Our projects

Barbara — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:04:42 GMT

This is for all of you to post your projects you work on anything you quilt can go here . so members lets start seeing some good stuff, Even if you think its awful ,we all have to start at the beginning, so we will love it anyway. Barbara

FMQ question

Melissa Halpain — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 21:04:40 GMT

This is probably a stupid question but I'm thinking this is the best place to ask a FMQ question. When you FMQ on a domestic sewing machine do you start in a corner or from the center. I'm kinda confused about this one.

Sampler Block # 10

Barbara — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:26:38 GMT

I ended up doing block 10 early as I had misplaced block #9 ,I have since found it and will be working on it as well . I ended up using one of my stencils on this one and did sun rays to accent it , I think this came out really pretty , I hope you will all find a pretty stencil to use and try this one yourself. I look foward to see what all of you do . Barbara

Sampler Block # 9

Barbara — Thu, 02 May 2013 06:56:36 GMT

I know I'm running behind, I have this block out and trying to figure out what I'm going to do with it, I want to make this one exciting ,since it's kinda of a dull block .. LOL Barbara

Sampler block # 8

Barbara — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:13:06 GMT

I'm currently working on this block and hope to have it finished sometime tomorrow , This is a nice one as it a log cabin style and there are lots of designs that can be used in this one. so come on members , Lets see what some of you have come up with . Barbara

Sampler Block #7

Barbara — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:11:18 GMT

ths is block seven ,On this one I usedone of my stencils to do the center . just worked it so that it fit . then I di echo half moons in the yellow In each corner I used the ends of my tepmplate to make the corners and half moons on the ends for the edges. it took me about two hours to do this . try using one of your template stencils to work on your you might have to work with it to get it to work . Have fun use your imagination , there are no set rules for doing this . sorry my Pictures in alittle dark but I think my camera is being stubborn .LOL

Sampler Block #6

Barbara — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:26:36 GMT

HI all , I will be tring to get block 6 out this week so everyone needs to look it over and all suggestions are welcome.sorry I'm alittle behind this time I needed some recovery time form Retreat.. LOL Barbara

Sampler Block#5

Barbara — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:45:15 GMT

Hi all just want you all to look over sampler blocks #5 ,Not sure if I'll keep the same quilting designs or change them . If yo hve any ideas let me know .barbara

Sampler Block #4

Barbara — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:29:00 GMT

Hi everyone ,want all of you to start lokking a block #4 and lets see what we want to do with this one, Let me know if you have any ideas you'd like to try . Barbara

Welcome to FMG group

Barbara — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:30:27 GMT

I want to welcome all of the new folks to The FMG group , AS we have been kinda of at a stand still I could use some suggestions on what all of you new folks would like to do , If you are a brand new FMG er let me know and I will start at the beginning for you . I just need to hear from you . This is a fun group and I will do my best to help you learn the basics I have a lot of good info for you in the pages section of this group , so feel free to look it over . Thanks everyone . It really not as hard as you think it will be .. Barbara

Sampler block 1

Barbara — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:48:44 GMT

Here is the first block .if you are using the blocks you made and you have them all together ,go ahead and stitch the whole block in the ditch,do everything but the triangles. I would advise everyone to make a sample block first to pratice the designs first , they really are not hard .Pratice your Paisley design .Draw a teardrop and echo it .do at least three for pratice. they will not all go the same direction and can be different sizes. I have some pictures here of what I have done . barbara

Make sure you have your block or quilt sandwiched.this is the block we will be doing the first two weeks

Pick a nice backing for your blocks or guilt .

Make sure you have your quilting foot on and your supreme Slider if you have one

Once you are ready ,pratice you designs on your pratice piece ,you will be doing stippling (meduin size)and big U shapes and paisley .Here is my pratice block. Leah Day recommends you work in rows ,I find that works much better.

Here is my block with my partice on it top row is U shapes ,Middle row is my stipplin and third row my paisley Once you are comfortable with you stitches place your main block or quilt on machine

first you are going to do your center if you have not stitched in the ditch around your center do it now.

when done with the SID pick your corner and start your stippling ,take your time there is no hurry .

Here is the finished center .

Next from where you stopped on the center start doing your paisley designs and take your time again there is no hurry ,You will see I have gone several directions with mine and add several echo rounds on the tear drop . You can also see mine are not perfect I still have problems with going back over lines I've already made ,but with this design you have to do this to move around the quilt.

Once you have finished your paisley ,go to your corner triangles do your STD and then start your U shapes filling up the whole space ,as you will see in the next picture.

this is how they should look when finished

this is the final step

this is the finished block .

this is the back of the finished block

I hope that you will all work on this and please post pictures when finished . You have two week to get this done and then I will start on the next blocks .If you have any questions ,please let me know .

thanks

Barbara

Sampler blocks 3

Barbara — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:46:27 GMT

Next Monday I will be working on block three of the sampler which is a pinwheel ,get it out and look it over , I'm not really thrilled with the patterns used on it ,so may do something different ,if you have any suggestions or things you'd like to try ,let me know and I'll see if I can get them to work .. Y'all have a great week . Barbara

Sampler blocks 2

Barbara — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:19:50 GMT

Hi all sorry I didn't get this posted today . My camera was totally dead,so it is recharging and I have everything ready to go for tomorrow .We will be working on the wonky log cabin. Barbara

Newbie introduction

MrsBecky — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:59:22 GMT

Hi everyone.. wanted to introduce myself. My name is Becky and I have been quilting and embroidering for a few years now but am still a newbie at free motion. I have 2 machines..a Brother SE 400 which is my little work horse and I also have a Viking Diamond which gives me a lot of headache. I usually use a friend's long arm quilter for my large projects, however when the holidays approach, I find myself doing much smaller pieces so I am trying to learn to do free motion on my own machines. Oh what a headache right now. Today I learned (from this site) that I can use my embroidery foot on my brother to do FMQ, but I am really having a time using my Viking. The thread keeps breaking so I thought maybe the tension was too tight. I have played around with that, tried using new thread, rewound the bobbin, reload the bobbin, rethread the machine, you name it, I've done it. My second issue with this is the back of the piece looks like railroad tracks.. (my fancy untechnical term). I am down to my last hair before I go completely bald, (or insane). I will keep plugging away at it until I decide to run it over with my pick up truck. So there you have it, my introduction and would love to know how to correct my issues on my Viking...

Wholecloth Quilt

Barbara — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:01:17 GMT

Well everyone I'm taking the plunge and working on a small whole cloth quilt . I thought you might all like to follow me while I do this . Its been intresting so far. I'm just doing a small one to start and if it comes out ok I'll try an bigger one. I'll get pictures for you and post them alittle later . So far I have my fabric cut and pressed , I have laided out my refrence lines and drawn my pattern on to the fabric . that has been the easy part. I'm still trying to make up my mind if I want to use Tarpunto on this one or not. I will get those pictures for you before I do any more . Barbara

New Things to Come for FMQing .

Barbara — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 13:56:34 GMT

Hi everyone, I just want you all to know I have not given up ,I am waiting on some new soft ware and I'm finishing a class so I will have some new things for us to work on. In the mean time continue practiceing the things we have done ,and as soon as my stuff gets here we'll start working on some new things . ,I am also going to try and get some Christmas things so we can put them on our gifts .SO hang in there everyone and Practice, Practice, Practice,,Barbara

Looking for Suggestions and Advice - Question for Free Motion Quilters

Auguste — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:04:56 GMT

Hi, Everyone,

I'm new to the group but not at all new to quilting, sewing, and obsessing over any form of needlework! :) So, here is my dilema. I want to elevate my FMQ skills and have considered purchasing a new (or gently used) machine with BSR, wider throat, and other similar "quilting" features. I would love your experienced insight with machines that have these (and other) features. Keep in mind, I don't have a money tree in the back yard. Any suggestions/advice you can share is greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

FMQ for week of July 16th 2012

Barbara — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 22:25:28 GMT

this week I just did some playing around in Eva Larkins book , and I tried my hand at some Zentangleing . so here is this weeks , I hope you will post what you do this week and I look foward to seeing what you all have worked on .Barbara

this is the Zentangle quilting . not bad for my first try ..

A couple of FMQ questions

Brigit-Carol — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:38:36 GMT

I am so brand new that I tried my first FMQ patch just yesterday -- what a disaster! I was tempted to throw it in the trash, but trusting that I will get better, I put it in a drawer to take out and compare my progress later.

But two questions, if you don't mind. The two tutorials I've watched so far emphasize not crossing lines when FM quilting, but don't explain why. I had planned on doing a figure 8 type design on the top I have ready (after more practice), but that means I'll cross lines. Why is crossing lines not appropriate? For a beginner especially, it seems a more simple design than the free-form wandering one would be easier.

Also, batting is expensive and I'm going to have to do several practice pieces before I attempt my first lap quilt. Can I skip using it while practicing? I have some cotton duck that is fairly heavy and I wonder if I double that if I can use it for practice? Or what would you suggest so that I can save the batting for the quilts? I do have an old flannel sheet that has a bit of loft to it. Would that work for the practice pieces?

What would you all like to work on ?

Barbara — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:19:19 GMT

Okay all I've kinda hit a bump,I need some suggestions as to what you all would like to work on. Please give me some Ideas . Once I get those ,I 'll be happy to work something up .. Thanks Barbara

My classwork

Barbara — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 19:05:07 GMT

here is aome pictures of my classwork from Quilt University,I can 't share the lesson with y'all but I can share my work .barbara

FMQ for week of AUG 1st 2012

Barbara — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:50:55 GMT

Ok ladies ,I tried to do some of the things you mentions , even though the blocks are not real quilt blocks . I put together some scrap fabric and made a blocks to show how to stitch around it to make the block pop out some ,and then did a meandering stitch around the blocks . I think you will understand the photos, so have some fun relax ,take a deep breath and go for it .. these were very easy to do .. Barbara

Here I just did some more practice on my vines . I think they are getting better , pratice ,pratice ,

this is a stencil I had and traced it on my fabric ,then I added some dragon flies in the corners , this patten can be used in a big empty block and is just an idea for something you can do .

good information

Barbara — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:16:22 GMT

I was looking thru Leah Days web site and she had some good advice I just wanted to share with all of you . I love it myself.. Thanks Leah Day for your great advice... Barbara

A Little Advice from Leah:

If you want to get good at quilting, quilt daily.
Stop stressing about perfection. Perfection does not exist past 25 inches! Actually, make that 5 inches.
Don't be afraid of your tension dial - it was put there for a reason.
Quilt because it makes you happy, not because you need to "finish this damn quilt!"
If you've never quilted before and are waiting for that perfect day when the kids are grown or you're retired, STOP WAITING! Today is the day, now is the time, get off your butt and do it!
Eat, Quilt, Sleep, Repeat.

FMQ for the week of July 23th 2012

Barbara — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:31:43 GMT

Hi everyone ,I'm posting a day early ,got lots to do ,LOL so this week I thought working on one of the most used quilting themes would be good , Stippling or meandering is probably one of the most used patterns, they do come with a template if you so choose to use one ,but I personally find them a pain to use. it is just easier to do it on your own. The nice thing about this pattern is a can be use in any size ,shape and design. There are no limits as to how you do your stippling . I have included some pictures this week of different sizes and designs , So girls set up your machines ,blocks and Threads and lets work on this ,it really is a fun pattern to do . So take a deep breath ,relax and stitch away .. if you have a questions I'll be happy to try and answer them for you ..Barbara

first get your blocks set up and ready to go ,I used a 7 in block this week cause it fill up fast ,

It really does help to have a good pair of quilting gloves to use. helps to slide around your fabric,you will have a better grip.

Start at the edge of your fabric and just start making half moons and big "C" just swirling them around the fabric any any directions you want to go.

Here I have gone about half way thru changing directions and continuing with my curves. this is a medium sized stippling

Here I have finished my block I always try to start my block in a corner and finish in a corner, Now this well be different when you work on your quilt you will want to start in the middle of your quilt and work in quarter sections,working outwards. this helps keep the guilt smooth as you work . these pictures are just for practice blocks . Hope I have not confused you .

And this is the finished block really easy and goes very quick

Now this is done the same way ,only this time I use a very small stippling , I started at the corner and I'm filling in the block just moving over the fabric in any direction I so choose, just keeping the design very small

This is the finished block ,I looked very similar in this picture ,but it really is smaller and you can see it is more compact. This is a great pattern for filling in small areas of your quilt.

Now here one where i've put in some different patterns as i work ,hearts , spirals , ,you can add leaves ,any design you want . it is still stippling you are just being creative.

Now here I've added a piece of fabric to show you how you can use it around the fabric .

You will still start up in the corner and just do a small stippling around the fabric as a filler. work your way around until you get to the last corner. using any design you wish .

and here is the finished blocks. Easy to do and lots of fun to work with . I hope you all enjoyed this little demo and I will see lots of pictures of your practice, have lots of fun,,, Barbara

What I'm working on

Starling — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:04:35 GMT

I finished the free motion on my Cross quilt. The stitches aren't even but I had a load of fun just doing the quilting on this one.

I haven't bound it. Instead I've moved on to another project. At this point I'm just "ditching" it. Quilting in the ditch to stabilize it before I do any free motion. The problem is I don't know what to do in the blocks with this one. Because I pressed the seams to one side, doing free motion across the seams won't be easy. I learned that with the Cross Quilt. I'm open to suggestions.

Here is the block all by itself.