Free Motion Quilt Along #2 - Quilting in Rows

[@sandeebass]

Leah, I am really enjoying your videos. You are making me think beyond the box that I have traditionally quilted within. Thank you.

[@angelaanderson2302]

You've figured out my brain! At least part of it. Your explanation of how go do the stippling in rows makes so much sense to me! I'm even more excited to try this!

[@michelleschneider1855]

Thank you for your video series. You have inspired me so much, stippling is always something that I have wanted to do but have felt that I was not good enough. Last night I began stippling my son's quilt and I am so proud of myself. I found that your advise gave the confidance to give it a go. I am so looking forward to watching the rest of your videos.

[@karenraabis5296]

This is the best FM tutorial I have seen so far. I have watched many!

[@pauletteghobrial1393]

Hi Leah your videos have inspired and taught me so much how can I quilt around applique that are large I am not sure I am using your technique of quilting in rows as much as possible and it is great Paulette

[@karriepennington3352]

You are a great teacher. I am taking your Crafty class. I also gave it to my daughter because we did BOMC together last year.

[@bushgirl62]

I love your videos and your explanations. This one in particular, with the rows, finally gives me a method I can relate to. Previously I've come across the 'quilting in a defined area' theory but it seemed that everyone just did it randomly within that area and began in the middle! I like 'maps' for my trips, so I don't become confused and go in unintentional 'circles' or cross a path I've already travelled, and the method of 'mapping' you've demonstrated here suits me perfectly. Thank you!!

[@72Grami82]

Leah I have to thank you so much for your videos, they have helped me so much. I've made lots of mini practice quilt sandwiches & practiced so much. I finally feel confident enough that I'm quilting my daughter one for her birthday. The freedom I feel now is great :) You're very sweet, pleasant & easy to follow. Keep up the good work.

[@angelaanderson2302]

oh, and to make this video even better, you posted it on my 34th birthday!

[@mgs783]

Your explanations of not only how to work the stippling but what to ask yourself in order to plan was very helpful. It's refreshing to hear concepts with flexibility of approach! What an awesome instructor you are - thank you for sharing your experiences along with the calm guidance.

[@LeahDay]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it!

[@101oogie]

super job leah..i agree about stippling.. found it too difficult..i'm a loop de loop girl,trying to graduate..i love that so much it's hard to stay focused enough to try your wonderful suggestions.. i'm getting there, i'm lucky enough to have a grace pinnacle frame with a janome 1600 riding on it.. not much room in the sewing room anymore, but it's worth it...:)

[@joannedenekamp64]

I have learnt so much from Leah Day. All her videos are a great watch and this one is no exception!!

[@Misscrazytrain2u]

You really are simple AMAZING at doing free motion Leah!

[@LivingWaterQuilter]

Another great lesson. Thanks Leah. #1 Stippling pattern, #2 + Stippling stitch order = effective and repeatable FMQ. Good foundation I love it.

[@AnnabelleR100]

Hi Leah ...thank you so much !! I love your videos. I am learning quilting and your videos help me a lot. I admire the work you do.! My best regards Annabelle.

[@bjerles]

Leah, Your quilting is amazing! You make it look so simple that I think even I can do it! For those asking about the marshmallow looking things on the ends of her pins, they are called Pin amours. I believe I have read you can but different items like these in hardware stores. They are like the foam ear plugs so they could also work. Or any foam strip you could cut up into smaller sections. Also if you are free motion quilting, with your feed dogs down, you can use a supreme slider to help your machine glide across the throat plate of your machine. HTH!

[@emds698]

Just wanted to let you know the ear plugs work great

[@Mickalishous6969]

Great videos!!! Thanks for sharing, I'm a newer quilter and I'm starting to see that quilt designs are endless thanks to some of your work can't wait to make a master piece like yours.

[@FLBorn1]

@lcvday Thank you, I will try each. I altered a foot like you showed earlier but it still may be too high. You rock! You have given me new energy for quilting again. Keep up the good work.

[@barbarastefani254]

I love this video played it and tried to do it it’s so much easier thank you so much

[@agpthng]

These are very helpful videos. I just started to quilt - self taught. The first quilt I made and finished in July was a fence rail and I stitched in the ditch. The one I'm working on now is an I Spy disappearing nine patch and I started to stitch in the ditch and didn't like it. So I ripped that all out and decided to hand tye it. My next one will be a baby quilt and then a log cabin quilt and I want to be able to FMQ them both.

[@LeahDay]

I'm so glad these videos are helpful for you. Please don't rip out any more quilting - you can always throw more thread at it and add more quilting on top!

[@LeahDay]

I would suggest drawing any shape that you have drawn many times in your life. So flowers, hearts, stars - if any of these shapes are common to you and you draw them often, then you will likely find it easy to quilt. Work with what feels natural, at least at first!

[@ClouserB]

Thank you for your answer! I will be watching for the bigger quilt tips and hints!!

[@debjacobson9800]

Thank you Leah 🧡

[@fancyfingers4]

hello Leah Yes when I free motion quilt I do it in rows it is far easier than meandering everywhere. You can see where you have quilted and where you need to quilt far easier.

[@LeahDay]

Hi MrKirby - I'd love to see your progress with free motion quilting! Please feel free to link up with us every Friday on the project. I have a special linking day where you can share a blog post with photos of your work (or flickr photo if you don't have a blog). As for cursive writing, check out the current quilt along we're working on with the quilt Express your Love. I have another tutorial on quilting with words that will be right up your alley.

[@crosspecans]

thanks for these great videos. i made 8 'doll size' quilts for the kids christmas. i got lots of practice machine quilting. id owned a walking foot and never used it before. i dont own the fancy gloves but i can see how those would help. thanks again. waves~~

[@MrKirby365]

Hi Leah, I wanted to start with thank a great deal for these videos, I been watching your videos and using the information I learn from them for sometime now. I am working on an applique quilt currently and I would love to share pictures with you and the cuminity when I have gotten far along enough with it. I would also like your opinion on fremotion quilting with words in cursive writing? Your videos are full of such wounderful information and inspiration thank you so much again.

[@FLBorn1]

Love your videos. I have a problem with an older machine I just had in shop for regular maintenance. Haven't used it in years but decided to get it out and put it to use. I like the way it runs so I took a fat quarter, sandwiched it with batting and started practicing free motion. My problem is skipping, mostly when I curve or make circles, even straight lines. It can skip up to half an inch. Very aggravating! Do you think it is my speed, machine speed or is something wrong with machine?

[@LeahDay]

That sounds like a basting issue to me. Try putting more tension in your hands and use your fingers to pull the fabric tighter as you quilt over the quilt.

[@LeahDay]

Nope. I free motion quilt with my feed dogs up and find it gives me better stitch quality and fewer machine issues like thread breaks. It's good to understand that you can free motion with both feed dogs up or down, it really just depends on your machine.

[@agpthng]

Really, everything I've watched says they have to be down.

[@Treaclepuff]

I didn't know you could do that! I will try that as well!

[@debbiehanson8037]

loved your video which I found by accident. I will try your techniques.

[@valeriaayub1267]

Great, Leah. Thank you so much. I'll try, sure!

[@strodester1]

This is the first time I have seen a stopper on the end of a pin. What are they really called I would like to order some. Your videos are awesome Thank you for putting them up!!!!

[@ClouserB]

I'm sort of a beginner quilter. How do you get your quilt to move sooooo smoothly on the sewing machine bed? Love your videos!!!

[@Treaclepuff]

I just discovered your channel this week. I'm watching with great interest your videos on free motion quilting. I tried this stippling on my own, but couldn't get the hang of it. I didn't realize the thinking behind it. My only hassle is that my machine "runs away with itself" My pedal is so sensitive that it's hard to regulate the pressure. Any hints on how to remedy this? I do great with straight lines with a walking foot. Perhaps I have a subconscious desire to hurry up and get done! LOL Thank you for this good instruction. I will try it to work on it some today and see how it goes.

[@LeahDay]

Check and see if your machine has a speed dial and you can lower the speed so it doesn't take off on you. If you don't have that dial or feature on your machine, then this will just have to be practice makes perfect! Give yourself 15 minutes to quilt every day and make yourself stick with it and you will see improvement very quickly, I promise!

[@Treaclepuff]

@@LeahDay Thank you so much for addressing my issue! That means a lot. I will go over my manual to see if there is something that I can't see readily. But you may be right; I just need to make time for practice. You make it look so easy!

[@susansullins6971]

I've been making quilts for decades, some hand quilted, but most recently, I've been sending them out for machine quilting. Only now, I realized that I do not have to pay someone else to quilt these baby quilts I've made! ...So I'm practicing, and going to do my own quilting on the top I have just completed. My practice is not looking smooth or even yet... Have you covered how to ensure that your stitches are relatively uniform? do you any tips for keeping stitches uniform? Thank you for these great video lessons!

[@LeahDay]

Yes, consistent stitches are tricky with free motion quilting. It's definitely something that takes practice. I shared a lot of tips on this, plus details on testing thread colors in this post: freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2016/01/machine-quilting-thread-test.html

[@wendycummings5182]

Please can someone tell me if Leah uses her foot pedal while she FMQ? If not, how does she get her machine to slow down when she needs without taking her hands off her projects? Thank you for any help! Leah you are amazing!

[@lindamanning2087]

I am learning to stipple. I need to know if I am supposed to stipple through the stars and and other designs. Also I can see bobbin stitches in some parts. Thank you. I enjoy your site.

[@barbarastefani254]

Thank you so much

[@stitchnmouse]

I see you stitching side to side--how about from top to bottom--is that harder? I'm thinking about a border on a queen size quilt and that is a lot of fabric to move from left to right.

[@peggyfarrell6991]

Great video. Thanks. I am assuming that your feed dogs are down?

[@teresa9493]

Hi Leah, I'm getting ready to start quilt. do you start from the middle of the quilt and work out to the end of the blanket? working in quarters?

[@LeahDay]

+TERESA - Yes, keep watching the videos in this series and you'll learn more about how to use quilting in rows to quilt a real quilt from the center.

[@annetrenary526]

Do you "ALWAYS" have to start in the center of the quilt? I enjoy your video's the soft smoothing voice.

[@LeahDay]

Yes, when quilting on a home machine, I believe the best place to start is in the center of the quilt. Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoy my voice!

[@annetrenary526]

Thank you Leah, I am very new to trying to do my own quilting and I do get lost most of the time. At 70 years old, I probably should have found a different hobby. :~) Thanks for answering my question.

[@irishlassie7905]

great videos!

[@greatpty765]

What are those little white things on the end of your pins?

[@nancypollard4531]

do I HAVE to use a foot pedal to free motion quilt? Once I stopped using one I hate to go back.

[@LeahDay]

Personally I believe a foot pedal will give you the most control over your speed and resulting stitch length. However, if that's painful for you or just challenging now that you've gotten used to not using it, then I'd say go with it. Go with what works for you always!

[@kbray78me]

I can not seem to get my switching correct. It always looks like the bottom thread is coming to top. And the switch are large. I have a brother HC 1850 machine. Thank you

[@LeahDay]

That is normal when you're just starting out. Try slowing down your hands a lot, but keep the machine running at the same speed. Try stitching straight lines too - that is often easier when you are just getting the hang of balancing your speed / movement.

[@paulineglynn5394]

What number Janome are you using, the one with the start stop and the metal foot ? does it have the stitch regulator.?

[@LeahDay]

Pauline Glynn This was back in 2012 so it was a Janome Horizon 7700. No, I don't use a stitch regulator and I'm not sure if one is made for this machine.

[@paulineglynn5394]

Pauline Glynn Thanks Leah, I already use free motion, but I will watch all your tutorials because one can always learn a few new tricks.

[@karenraabis5296]

I see you didn’t sew around the edge. Is it something you don’t usually do?

[@LeahDay]

Depends on the quilt, the technique, and the style of quilting. In this case, I'm demonstrating quilting in rows in an all-over style which no, does not need stitching around the design.

[@nessascorpio]

What is your tension set to?

[@slewislorum]

What advise would you give to get your stippling to sew smoothly? I know which way to move the fabric under the needle but it doesn't look smooth.

[@KamleshGuptaArts]

Great & intusting video

[@LeahDay]

Thank you for watching!

[@slewislorum]

My stippling seems irratic. Not moving smooth in the least. Don't think it's a basting issue.

[@pepreba]

you are good !!!

[@cc83jc85]

WENDY cummings_ my Pfaff Passport, has a button will make it sew on its own- no need for pedal, I find it very useful!

[@LittleMissElaine]

Why are there marshmallows on your pins? O.o :)