Easy Free Motion Quilting Designs (FREE PRACTICE SHEET)

[@odettepross2435]

Thank you for the glue recipe ❤

[@TippyMueller]

I totally agree you. Along with your great suggestion of first starting pattern using wavy lines and loops. I would add next echoing the wavy lines to help develop a little control of spacing between the lines.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Great tip!

[@ronamcintyre9795]

My first FMQ was loops like yours - on a placemat. For my first full quilt, I did cursive writing because I already knew how to write and didn't have to worry about which way to go! I wrote the names of all the cities I visited in my 5 years in Japan! It's gorgeous! I made 3 other quilts with waves and stars and leaves before I got up the nerve to try stippling! It took me 3 years of experimenting before I felt confident enough to try it, and it was hard! I never could have done stippling as a beginner! But it did turn out great!

[@bobbirowlett6728]

I'm just starting free motion, so thanks so much for the details and hint. you're easy to listen to and I appreciate how you taught.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@lexitejeda6209]

I agree with you. I did start with meandering. I think just straight lines, getting accustomed to coordinating the hand speed and machine speed, is useful. And letting the lines be wavy (“organic”) is not only easier, but can look good.

[@doreensherk287]

Good ideas, when I do loops I talk to myself at first. “Over to the left, Over to right”, I know a bit silly but it seems to get it into my memory. Also I like you in the mauve colour sweater.

[@Trixy8521]

Great suggestions! I did my first free motion quilting last weekend on a baby quilt. I was scared to death that I would mess it up. There were bees in the print so I used the loops to imitate the bee's flying around. I was surprised at how easy it was to do and it turned out really cute.

[@beverleybrowning3480]

I agree with you. I started with loops and wavy lines and gradually added such things as simple stars or swirls to the loops. I've made your recipe for starching fabric, 3 batches at a time, and love it (so much more economical) . But I have not yet tried it to sandwich fabrics together. Will do so, thanks!

[@lizryan6289]

Very helpful. Hint about machine speed helped me a lot. Thanks.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Glad it helped!

[@dianeharrish2336]

Thanks Kim, looping is way easier for me!

[@mayaisacat]

I just started quilting. I have perused a lot of videos. You explain things so nicely!! Thanks!!

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@amadeus4313]

I started with loops and loved it

[@darleneappleman3911]

Loops are cool

[@DajaEvans]

I did the wavy thing on the diagonal - loved it!

[@jantarasovic9023]

Thank you for confirming my experience that meandering is hard and frustrating. I’ve done waves and circles and found them much more fun. Need more practice! I don’t see a link to your spray recipe.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Hi Jan: You can find the link in the Description area underneath the video.

[@dorismays2448]

This is really helpful. I’m learning all I can before beginning to quilt. Thanks!

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@marlynanderson8564]

I agree with you that stippling is not a good choice for a beginner quilter. I consider my self an experienced fmq and I still don't like it or do it. I really like the paisley pattern. I think it's easy to move around to other areas and fill in background space. You can also change them up by adding a loop or teardrop shape inside. If you get stuck in a spot, you can easily echo around the teardrop shapes to get to an open space to con't. making more teardrop or paisley shapes.

[@donnaduguay7532]

Thank you for your help on free motion quilting

[@carollindsay7422]

Thanks again for another informative and quick video. Your just great.

[@donnacompton7742]

Was looking to see where to start the looping. In center? Etc.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I usually start in the right corner and work my way around the project if it is a small one. If you have a large quilt, I recommend that you start in the centre and move out horizontally and then vertically from side to side and top to bottom with some stitch in the ditch quilting to stabilize the quilt and then add your free motion quilting.

[@HunterDeuling]

Excellent love using wavy lines.

[@kitalcock8153]

Im going to try this tonight Anyone know how I get the free practice sheet mentioned?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

The link for the practice sheet is in the Description below the video.

[@debjacobson9800]

Thank you Kim 💜

[@kshav62]

I would like to know, while doing looping method, how you plan out the pattern to cover the quilt evenly and not overlap or leave gaps.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

This is actually something that you will get better with practice. I don't plan this - I just look ahead to where I want to go next. Doing some initial practicing on a practice sandwich helps a lot.

[@kshav62]

Chatterbox Quilts thank you 😊

[@darleneappleman3911]

I know or just learned how free motion quilt

[@patriciaa3462]

I did hearts instead of loops the first lesson that I did on free motion quilting. It was challenging, but doable. Just loops with an indent. :-)

[@lindapucillo3493]

Just tried free motion quilting on an actual quilt. It was an appliqué quilt made for my grandson, and included a sun and cloud. So I made some stars in the sky after lots of practice. The stars came out much better on the sample pieces than on the quilt. I think it was the Size and weight of the quilt vs. the practice samples. The quilt was much harder to move due to the weight. There is no way I’m ripping them out, so I’m leaving them I n. Although it doesn’t look as good as I had hoped, it is still ok. The stars aren’t particularly hard to make once you get the feel of the pattern. It is just hard to move a quilt when doing feee motion. I wasn’t expecting that.

[@lisasovitsky1227]

Will the spray help free motion puckering on ,back when moving around when free motion quilting?..

[@Chatterboxquilts]

As long as you smooth out any wrinkles on the backing when you are pressing it to the batting (either with your hands or an iron), you should be okay. You also should be sure that the backing is pressed well to remove any wrinkles before you use the spray on it.

[@ckim5134]

I think I will start with a straight line.

[@lgraham2059]

My biggest issue is figuring out the path to take while looping or meandering. I do like the loops better. Don’t care for the the look of stippling. Thank you for your videos.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You're welcome!

[@sherronallen2746]

What can I be doing wrong when I get eyelash’s I tried going slower but still have the

[@Chatterboxquilts]

There can be different reasons for this. First, be sure that your presser foot lever is down - even when you are free motion quilting, it needs to be down. You may also need to adjust your tension. Problems like this are what we often discuss in The Quilter's Way so that other members can offer help and suggestions because there can be so many different reasons why quilters have issues like this when free motion quilting.

[@janemcnabb5637]

❤

[@darleneappleman3911]

I can scribble lots

[@sandeeharshman3415]

👍

[@cherylpaul8204]

Kim, that was a great video. You may just have inspired me to try free motion quilting again. I was NOT good a stippling - thus my Janome 15000 that has quilting designs in the embroidery. Oh and I love your mauve sweater and those lovely beads that match your background wall.

[@darleneappleman3911]

I go slow when doing it

[@darleneappleman3911]

I bought a darning foot brand new

[@carolelliott9150]

I agree. Dislike stippling

[@Decantdesigns]

I started stippling with clear thread. Needless to say, ruined a beautiful quilt and lots of fabric. Went into the trash. That was many years ago 😢

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I've tried Superior Threads' MonoPoly thread with great success. "Invisible" threads have come a long way and are now polyester rather than that stiff nylon. Invisafil by Wonderfil is also great for that type of "I can't see the thread" stitching. It's also polyester.