At first, I just tried to wing the free motion thing. I wasn't getting great results so I did a little googling. The best advice I found from Leah Day's site-- DON'T drop your feed dogs. That's contrary to everything else I've ever read about free motion, but it definitely helped me get better stitches. If you set your stitch length to zero the feed dogs don't try to pull the fabric through, but they're still there with a bit of grip underneath. It made me feel like the fabric wasn't jumping around quite so willy-nilly on me.
I still need lots and lots of practice. And who knows how long it will take before I have the guts to use it on an actual quilt, but for now using up all my "ugly" fabric for practice is pretty fun!
Looking good, Jenny! Isn't it cool to be able to write your name with thread?!? You are so right that practice is the key. A little bit everyday and you'll be FMQ on your quilts in no time. I tell myself the same thing about me and EQ7!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny. I came over after I saw your name on Nicole's blog and laughed when I saw your FMQ post - that is just what I have done for the first time ever today. My efforts look like a dog's dinner - I'm going to try not dropping the feed dogs as you/Leah suggest.
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