How I FMQ a large quilt on my domestic machine

Welcome back to my channel! In this video, I share how I get set-up and plan the free-motion quilting of a 90" square quilt on my domestic machine.
If you have questions, please leave them in the comments!

[@kathyhofmann9763]

Ive watched a multitude of videos on FMQ, this is the first I've seen more specifics as to how to quilt in sections. I like this idea a LOT!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you so much for watching! Dividing the quilt into sections really works better for me. Plus you get a bit of a dopamine high every time you finish a section 🤣

[@daisymarrero6738]

I love you technique. I will try it next time I do one of my quilting projects. Thankyou very much for sharing. GBY Tx/PR

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You are so welcome! 😊

[@marionmathews9852]

I found this incredibly interesting and you explained your process so well. It’s the first time that I’ve seen this done. Thank you.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you so much! This is my favourite way to quilt. 💞

[@valerievesper9216]

I find it really interesting that you prefer FMQ on a big quilt over walking foot. The largest I’ve done so far are twins, but I found FMQ in the middle very difficult. Walking foot was easier for me. Of course your throat space is definitely bigger and that would help. As to starting in the middle or at the edge, I think that’s personal preference. I want to have the hard part over with before I’m really sick of that quilt! 😂 Thanks for showing that it’s possible to do a big quilt on a home machine! I have a king in the works and it’s slightly terrifying. 😳

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

LOL I laughed at the "I want to have the hard part over with..." I feel exactly the same. I tend to start toward the middle and get that part over with quickly!! I do have a lot of space to the right of the needle and that does help with the FMQ. I can "squish" quite a bit of quilt in there. I haven't made a King size quilt yet - I would be terrified too! :-)

[@mazza_razzza]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You’re welcome! Thank you so much for watching and commenting. 😊

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Hi! I hope you are having an awesome day! I sewed and filmed for KZbin, shopped for the Easter egg hunt and now I get to sit and watch your video with my hand quilting! I hope you have a fabulous week ahead! Thank you for sharing your video, your time and expertise.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you! I hope you have a fabulous Easter weekend. 😀

[@marlenebrockmann1553]

Thank you for sharing your method of quilting larger quilts. It’s very helpful for the project on which I am currently working. The best part is taking breaks.

[@sshirleyks]

Thank you! I’m just beginning quilting and the prospect of free motion quilting is a little daunting. I bought that exact same sewing machine, so it was great to see what can be done on “my” machine. I’m working on a baby quilt now, using a loopy loop pattern, and so far it’s going well. You’ve given me hope that I can finish it.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You can do it! Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment! :-)

[@tw1469]

Thank you so much for your tutorial. I am a beginner at free motion quilting and don’t intend to enter my quilts in competitions. Your information was so helpful. Your larger design seems so much easier than the tutorials I have been watching. Thanks for sharing. - Teresa from AZ

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You are so welcome and thank you so much for visiting! 💞

[@user-jq4si3uy9m]

Big thanks for the tutorial isso helpful 💖

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You’re welcome 😊

[@RhondaLorch]

So encouraging - thank you Izzy! I just finished piecing a baby quilt so I’m going to dig out some boards to baste it and then do some free motion work. I’ve been avoiding free motion for the last couple of years but it’s time to get back to it.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Have fun with it! Thank you for visiting and commenting! 😊

[@creabea]

Thank you for the inspiration. This video will help me a lot. yesterday I finished my first quilt. I struggled a bit, but now I know working in sections can help. Greetings from the Netherlands⚘️⚘️⚘️

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Congrats on your first quilt top! Definitely work on the quilting by sections and take lots of breaks. Also, be kind to yourself. My first quilt definitely didn’t look like a prize-winning quilt. Good luck and have fun! 💞

[@jacquelineblack5801]

Very nice work

[@ibnrtis]

You’re a good teacher. Thank you. I’m new to quilting and overwhelmed by how much there is to learn. You’ve given me hope.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You are so welcome - thank you! Don't let all of this stuff get you overwhelmed. There are a ton of very easy tutorials out there. Learn the basics and everything else you can learn as you go. Accurate cutting and an accurate 1/4" seam are pretty important so just focus on that for now. You can totally do it!! 💞

[@pattybonneau7480]

Wow! You make it look so easy! Your video had given me the courage to try FMQ . Thank you so much for making this and sharing it.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Awww thank you so much! You can do it! 💞

[@ksn112r]

I have enjoyed watching you quilt this quilt...you make it look so easy, and your meandering is really nice! It's given me the "go" to do the same to a large quilt I've been putting off!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Wonderful! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! 💞

[@juergenbausch2421]

Very well explained, thats excactly what I needed. I like your nice and calm voice.Thank you very much.Greetings from Germany!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Glad it was helpful! And thank you so much for the sweet comment. :-)

[@christineverploeg182]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You're very welcome!

[@sarahleigh1502]

Really great tutorial. Love your basting style. Thank you.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

I’m so glad it was helpful! 😊

[@madelynstradford9369]

Ithink your method of doing a large quilt is a good solution . Thanks for sharing!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You are so welcome!

[@Catsaresupergreat]

Wonderful! 🎉🎉 Thank you very much 😊

[@joycerideout6311]

Great job ❤

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you! 💞

[@susansmith6058]

I enjoyed your video and instruction! I definitely need more practice with my free motion quilting before undertaking a large quilt!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you so much for watching! I'm starting a fun quilt along this month where we'll practice some walking foot and free motion quilting designs over the next few months. If you'd like to participate, feel free to have a look at the video that came out on the channel on January 7.

[@jmjohnson56]

Great tutorial.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you!

[@sherryfaires7931]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You're so welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@GrandmaD2024]

This is my first time at your channel. I too prefer FMQ. My singer ha a small throat space. I agree with your thought process 👍. I do anchor mine some with a walking foot though. I am doing my first king. I bought some flexible plastic clamp rings to try wrangling the bulk under the throat.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you for watching! Good luck with your king size quilt.

[@GrandmaD2024]

@@dizzyquiltsandsews thank you 😊 its all sandwiched and ready to go!

[@GoSewBeautiful]

Very nice! My machine doesn't have as much "throat" space, but I have afree motion quilt foot and my quilt will be much smaller. I like your idea of sewing in sections rather than from the middle. Thanks for sharing!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You're very welcome! I used to quilt from the middle out but I found it so much harder. And I don't find my quilts gets distorted or stretched out even if I start on one side.

[@lizreynolds4554]

Thank you for sharing this with us. I learned some tips. I'm a New quilter, so this was helpful. Huggles 😊💖🍀

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

I'm very happy this was helpful! 💞

[@labolodia]

Thanks for the video it was very helpful

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You're very welcome!

[@wilycat5290]

Thanks for the video. Your method of FMQ is very helpful 😊

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You are welcome! Thank you for stopping by! 😊

[@JudithBrummett]

I am working on a HUGE king size right now. Approx 106X118. My first big quilt on a domestic and this was really helpful TFS! It is a true labor of love for my mom. She hand pieced the middle with Grandmothers flower garden design. Her old hands didnt really do suck a great job stitching so I am having to quilt it very tightly over the seams to reinforce them. Shew ... hope this goes well. lol

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You can do it!! Take your time and take lots of breaks. It sounds like you’ll have an amazing quilt when you’re done. 💞

[@ldk461]

TY SO MUCH

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You are most welcome!

[@joyaquilts]

Nive video!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you!

[@susanholden6861]

I love that meandering design but I was afraid to try it. I'm going to do it! Just need to see if my machine came with a free motion foot! Thank you!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You can do it! Just be patient. If your machine didn’t come with the foot, you can find a generic one on Amazon for very little money.

[@wilycat5290]

This was very helpful. Thank you for the video 😊👍💕

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

You’re welcome 😊 I’m really glad it was helpful!

[@mkweber9615]

Thanks for your video. I DID wish you would have shown when you were actually in the true center of the quilt with those 45 inches on each side vs just the center of the edges. I've asked for advice regarding that on FB pages and people just say 'smoosh', don't roll. Rolled or smooshed, ya still have 45 inches of fabric crammed in the harp. My current plan is to buy a machine with a larger harp - Like yours. Thanks again.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hi - Unfortunately, the only "trick" I have is to try and spend as little time as possible in the middle, which is why I split the quilt into sections and get to the sides as quickly as possible. As weird as it sounds, "smooshing" really is the best way to go. And if you do make larger quilts often, I would highly recommend getting a machine with more space to the right of the needle. It's been a game changer for me. Thank you for watching!

[@lolafolana1497]

thank you !! so many FMQ vids are on cute little squares which is not the same!!!!! I would like to see a bit more though... about how to stop and start in middle ( not on the edge) what do you do when you run out of bobbin thread? stuff like that.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you so much for the feedback. I started a new series on my channel this past weekend where I show a bunch of different FMQ designs on larger blocks. I’ll make sure to include tips and tricks like the ones you mentioned. I appreciate you watching!

[@AngelAllis]

enjoyed this video quite a lot. Only thing I wish you had included is what your tension looked like on the back. Other than that, it was very informative. Thank you

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you! I’m currently planning another one of these videos for the channel so would really love to understand what you mean when you say « what your tension looked like on the back ». Do you mean show the stitches on the back of the quilt to give you an example of what they should look like? I really appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback… very helpful! 😊

[@AngelAllis]

@@dizzyquiltsandsews yes. I noticed a lot of videos don't show what the stitches look like on the underside. Everyone has different machines, but how the stiches on the quilt backing should look is very helpful.

[@junehenson5657]

I enjoyed your video. You mentioned using a new needle, what size do you recommend as the needle size?

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hi! I like to use a quilting needle in a size 75. If you don't have one, you can definitely use a universal needle.

[@suebabe100]

Hello! I have the same machine (love it). What speed did you use? I've never seen someone start at the edge like you do. I'm going to try it. Thanks so much!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

For FMQ, I usually go at top speed. For some reason, I find it easier to go faster. I start off in the batting because I'm lazy and try to avoid burying threads whenever I can. LOL

[@carmencastaneda2680]

Hi Just I found you channel I’m so glad about it Just I’m start to do free motion in a machine like you have But I have some problems with it That my needle brake a lot ,the thread brake too I’m really don’t know what I’m doing wrong Appreciate any tips

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hi Carmen! My Juki is a little bit picky about the thread I use for free-motion quilting. Perhaps you could try a different thread? I love Aurifil 50 wt. As for the needle breaking, maybe try a machine quilting needle and slow down when you quilt over thicker seams. Let me know how it goes! 😊

[@carmencastaneda2680]

@@dizzyquiltsandsews thanks a lot for you advice I love you channel

[@lawrenceirvine8759]

Howdy? Do you happen to have done a video on your strategy for basting the sandwich together? Thanks, Larry.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hi there! I do have a video on basting a quilt sandwich. Here’s the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3PKk6yijdSIl5osi=Xj586zcHDtM0IAoM

[@user-ln1zp5is5x]

How long does it take with this method? Looks good!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you! I would say it depends on the size of the quilt and how fast you are. A large quilt like that one would probably take about 4 or 5 hours to quilt.

[@keliachandler3292]

Every time I try to free motion on my juki TL-15 the tread breaks. My tension is on zero and my stitches are on zero. Have you ever had this issue?

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hi! The only times I’ve ever had that issue is when I was using lesser quality thread or just going too fast. Also, some machines just don’t like certain brands of thread. I would suggest trying a different type of thread. My Juki loves Aurifil 50 wt cotton thread the best for some reason. 😊

[@carolashworth1282]

What is your favorite batting?

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

I use 80/20 batting in all of my quilts. I love that it’s pretty thin and that the 80% cotton means it’ll crinkle nicely after the first wash. 😊

[@suedavis1835]

What about the back side of the quilt? How do you avoid the “eyelashing” and wonky loops on the back?

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hi Sue! In my experience, those eyelashes could be due to a few things: the thread tension is off or your hands aren't going at the same speed as your machine (you are moving your hands too quickly or your hand movements aren't smooth) or your machine doesn't like to do FMQ with the feed dogs down (I had a machine who did beautiful FMQ but only if I left the feed dogs up and turned my stitch length to 0). I would try those 3 things in order and see if that fixes it. 😀

[@lauraiuticone9882]

Hello!could you draw your quilting plan on a paper? I would love to see your plan more clearly ! Thank you!

[@TheNanaweaver]

What machine do You use

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hi! I use a Juki TL2010Q.

[@lindabrown2868]

I basically quilt the same way, simple is better.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Couldn't agree more! :-)

[@susannagendreau3479]

That throat is HUGE!!!! No wonder my shoulders ache! I DO start in the middle...maybe thats my prob.....still watching "top speed"....

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Yes, I have a lot of space to quilt on that machine. Don’t start in the middle - there’s really no need to if you’ve done a good job basting your sandwich. That way, you won’t have to spend so much time in the middle. 💞

[@kristenlauster3746]

I'm sorry, but why do you never show what the title says? All you show is quilting the edge. Everyone can do that already. You talk about how you have a machine with a large quilt throat space but you never show how to utilize it. Why are you not showing the ways to quilt the center of a large quilt? Very, very disappointed in this video.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hi - I’m really sorry you’re disappointed in the video. The key message I’m trying to convey in the video is how I separate the quilt into sections so that I don’t have to wrangle half the quilt to the right of the machine so much. Quilting the middle of the quilt isn’t done any differently from the edges.

[@jayneterry8701]

Your machine at first glace looks like an industrial which im planning to quilt on. The dropping the feed dogs has wondering? Seeing what you meant by a section really helped too. Your explanations are well thought out and unnunciated .🩷

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Thank you so much - you’re very sweet! It’s not an industrial, but it’s a straight-stitch Juki and I absolutely love it. Best purchase I ever made. 😂

[@StaceyJsStudio]

Erin sent me here to watch this. It was helpful. However how would I let it ‘not drop’ if I have a bigger quilt please 🦩💖💕💖🦩

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Hey Stacey! You can either let is « rest » on a chair or something else in front of you or roll the basted portion up (so you basically end up with both ends rolled-up.

[@StaceyJsStudio]

@@dizzyquiltsandsews thanks Izzy 🦩💕