Free Motion Quilting, Beginner Tutorial 3 (of 4)

[pixielove2000]

I love the flower loop-de-loop. Thanks for the inspiration.

[mangcat]

A couple of days ago I decided that I just had to finish a UFO - a smallish wall hanging. All it needed was the free motion quilting, which I'd not tried before.

I decided to look at a tutorial on free motion quilting and I'm so glad your's was the first one I found! I watched number 1, then 2, then got about half way through part 3 (this one) and decided that "Yes, I can do that!"

So I did! I finished it in an evening and (even if I do say so myself) it looks fab!

Thank you Patsy :-D

[2HellenBlack]

Watching you work is hypnotic! Thanks for making your vids, they're incredibly helpful and inspiring. I think there is hope that I may learn to quilt yet. :)

[Tabascopeppers]

I laughed when you were wrestling with the quilt. The silicone spray is a great tip I had never heard of. Starting with the needle down is a great tip too because on my last quilt when I stopped I had to lower the needle to make sure the quilt didn't move around. Great idea about pulling the back thread up when you begin, never heard of that before.

[annegp1]

Thank you for being so clear and for encouraging us to relax and drink wine :)

[67redneck]

I am learning to quilt and I love it. I need help though, I am trying to do free motion on my second quilt but I am continually breaking needles. I don't know if I am doing something wrong or if it is the weight and thickness of my quilt. Help!!!!!

[irishphoen1x]

Found your video here- am a first time quilter- and you really explained it so well-so clear, consise and encouraging..thanks for posting it up!!

[CooTie]

I don't see a stitch regulator on your machine...is there one or are you just very good at it from practice

[brujac13]

You are amazing! How long have you been free motion quiliting?

[patsern]

@brujac13

I think I started trying to learn FMQ around 2001.  I really struggled for about 2 years (and nearly gave up many times!) Once you get over the "hump," there really is nothing more fun!

Patsy

[a1angiem]

I see you emptied the bottle! lol!

[kathryn6264]

love the clear and concise instruction - i am just learning to free motion quilt and was frustrated with the lack of info on the subject - glad I found you on here :)

[itsmesuzq]

The most frustrating aspect for me in FMQ is getting the stitches looking the same on the BACK of the quilt as they do on the front! I realize that it is so important to get that tension right but I also notice that most of the videos I've looked at never mention looking at the back of the quilt. Anyway thank you so much for your wonderful instructions.

[eltorowhore]

does presser foot pressure matter? should i dial it to zero or is it totally non-relevant?

[patsern]

@eltorowhore

Hi,

My machine does not have a variable presser foot option, so I can't tell you what level to place it at. However, the option is there so that you can adjust it for varying thicknesses of the quilt sandwich. You'll want it loose enough to be able to easily move the quilt sandwich underneath the foot, but you'll want some degree of compression. I'd play on a throw-away version of the same quilt sandwich you'll actually quilt on to figure it out.

Patsy

[lalaw2153]

Thank you so much...I look forward to trying these tips once I learn how to quilt--ha ha!!!

[lalaw2153]

Love the tutorials!!! What is the EASIEST quilt design for a beginner? Thanks

[patsern]

@lalaw2153

There are many easy ones...I guess for most people, the basic loop-d-loop design is the easiest. You can download free line drawings of quilting designs off our web site. Click on the "education" tab, then click on "free downloads" and lots of design options can be accessed for free.

Patsy

[patsern]

Hi Aaron,

There are many products you can use to draw the design first. If you have stencils, use a temporary marker (i.e. chalk, soapstone marker, or Pounce), to draw the design. If you don't have stencils, you can draw the design on Golden Threads Paper and then apply the paper to the top of the quilt, then stitch. It will be easy to remove the paper after stitching. You can also do that with Press 'N Seal, but i have found that to be hard to remove.

Patsy

[reboot530]

I just finished my fist quilt for my 6 year old daughter for her twin size bed. All i need to do is machine quilt it. Well I took a class and found it's really hard. So I have someone who would free motion quilt the top for me for $120. My wife thinks I should do it my self. Then I didn't really do the quilting.... Help me please! How can I tranfer the design to the quilt first then just follow the lines. Thanks Aaron

[reboot530]

I just finished my fist quilt for my 6 year old daughter for her twin size bed. All i need to do is machine quilt it. Well I took a class and found it's really hard. So I have someone who would free motion quilt the top for me for $120. My wife thinks I should do it my self. Then I didn't really do the quilting.... Help me please! How can I tranfer the design to the quilt first then just follow the lines.

[patsern]

Thanks so much, Crumbleycat! This free motion stuff gets even more fun the more you do it, so keep at at!

Patsy

[crumbleycat]

Your video tutorials are brilliant. I have recently rediscovered sewing, bought a new machine and purchased an open toe free motion quilting foot, all I needed was someone to show me how and now I have found her. Thank you so much for taking the time to show others how to learn this beautiful art form in such a clear and thorough way.

[repronurse]

Wonderful instructions! I don't feel afraid to try quilting on my home machine now. Thanks.

[ABLESeitz]

Wonderful! I've watched 3 of the 4 Beginner Free Motion Quilting videos, and I feel confident enough to give it a try on my new Janome 6600P machine. Thanks so much!

[victoriaev]

Excellent! Thanks for posting this

[TheTrenter01]

Hi, Patsy i have a Pfaff sewing machine as well and my question is about your free motion foot. okay did you cut a opening in the front of the foot or did you order it like that cause i think that is a awesome idea.