I’ve blogged before about my halting attempts to learn how to free-motion quilt using my very basic, mechanical sewing machine. Last winter I wrote about finally using my open-toe embroidery foot for the first time, and in October I mentioned that I free-motion quilted a doll quilt my 3-year-old daughter helped me with.
doll quilt made from a mini-charm pack of Cape Ann from Moda
The quilting on this doll quilt is not something I’m proud of and I’ve even considered ripping it out and having another go at it. Although not nearly the mess my first attempts were, the bobbin thread tension was still giving me problems — it’s just too taut and you can see the needle thread pulled through to the back in places.
close-up view of the back of the Cape Ann doll quilt
Even so, that doll quilt inspired me to make a few more during the fall. The stakes are low because, well, they’re just doll quilts, but they’re much more satisfying to practice on than a sample quilt sandwich.
the back of Neddy's doll quilt using J'Adore Stella from Dear Stella
I pieced another doll quilt for a friend’s daughter using the J’Adore Stella collection from Dear Stella and tried quilting it with a diagonal side-to-side meander. Again, it turned out OK, but I found it difficult to match my hand movements to my foot pedal speed and it felt out of control. My bobbin tension had improved, though.
stuffed animal quilt for Zy
Next I made two “stuffed animal” quilts for a friend and former coworker who had recently given birth to her second boy. (As a child of the 1970s, I figured little boys love their stuffed animals and would want to take care of them as much as little girls would. My friend confirmed that her toddler knew exactly what his quilt was for and ran to fetch his favorite toy when they opened the gift.) (And if you’re curious, the large-scale focus fabric is from the out-of-print Magic Station collection by Andy Sklar from Red Rooster, which I’ve had in my stash since before I had kids. It looks like an illustration from a children’s book that I’d love to read!)
close-up of the back
For these quilts I decided to try more controlled movements with a loop-de-loop design. The loops aren’t perfect, but my bobbin tension was greatly improved and I felt I could control my machine much better.
All of which goes to show that when the experts say it’s going to take a lot of practice and experimentation to get good at machine quilting, they know what they’re talking about. On Friday, March 1, we’ll air a new episode of Quilters Newsletter TV featuring Ellen Osten from Sulky that I hosted. After we were done taping I asked if I could try some free-motion quilting using the Brother sewing machine we had on-set — she had just been doing some FMQ and it looked great. Well, my stitches looked better using the Brother than they do on my old home machine, but mine were still nowhere near as good as Ellen’s. So although a good machine will certainly help, nothing beats good old-fashioned practice and experience.
That is a really good idea to practice on dolls quilts. They can still be used and kids wont worry too much about the stitching either. That way you have no waste..
Oh, man, can I relate! I FMQed horrible quilt after horriible quilt — bad tension, thread nests on the back, huge tucks in the backing, huge stitches, sharp jags in curvy places, rounded points on jagged lines, you name it. One day, I nearly gave up. I was so frustrated that I was swearing, throwing things and scaring the cat and dog. I got up, made a new pot of coffee, took the dog for a walk, then returned to my sewing machine (a mechanical, circa 1955, Singer 306W) determined to give FMQ one last try then give up. Something clicked while I was doing something else and completely unaware. FMQ is not unlike patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. This time, hand speed and machine speed coordinated as they should (well, mostly), the curves were smooth, the points were sharp, the stitch length was not perfect but more consistent. This resulted from the three Cs: cussing, coffee and convergence. I should add the two Ps: persistence and practice. LOL . . . I loved your post. Thanks.
I am feeling much better now. I thought I was going to be just perfect because I read and read and read and, well you get the message. I have ripped the stitching out twice on my first small quilt. It is now my practice quilt and is quite the sight. (and not a good one) but, it is for practicing.. I am determined and one day someone will be a little warmer with one of my quilts.
I began learning FMQ on a 1942 Singer 15-91, a great machine for FMQ by the way. I still have that machine and occasionally use it for FMQ and it will always be my backup machine for the new Janome my husband got for my birthday last year. Baby and doll quilts are excellent for practicing, and even practice sandwiches can always be bound and donated to your nearest animal shelter. Those homeless kitties love quilts just as much as our adopted feline friends!
Totally agree with practicing on doll quilts. Making my second one. I am getting better since taking an art quilt class by Ellen Linder. Maybe the need to be perfect should be overlooked to let out some freedom of expression!!
I have use that wonderful frog material for the back of my “I Spy” quilts. I love it!!! I have used the walking foot for machine quilting my baby quilts. I am so afraid to meander/stipple! You have encouraged me! I love making doll quilts and that would be wonderful practice. I have practiced a few “blocks” of attempting to learn the meandering, and I think I will donate the “samples” to the local animal shelter. A friend of mine will bind them into “little quilts” for the kitties at the shelter.
I too went through many hours of painful quilting on my machine. Ripped out a lot and finally made up some practice pieces. This helped somewhat but was boring. I like your idea of making doll quilts. That is brilliant. I will have to try that. I know have a machine that has a stitch regulator which really helps but still need lots of practice on fancier designs.
I do a lot of quilting with my walking foot, but the FMQ escapes me. But – I am determined to develop the skill. I have better luck with my older Viking, so that’s where I’m going to concentrate my efforts.
Carol H – loved your comment about letting go of perfection to release some freedom of expression! So true.
Great blog! I’ve made one doll quilt so far with two more planned. I have two old machines, both full metal construction and heavy, but between the two of them, it’s like having one working machine. FMQ was really hard and I got one HUGE sharp jag in a round smooth bit. Still, I was surprised by the results. (And I’m told that the little boy who received that first doll quilt uses it for his stuffed friend all the time. Sweet!) Thanks for the inspiration to keep on truckin’ with the FMQ!
Loved your post! I have been trying to do some FMQ also. I found a company that makes a paper printed with stipple pattern on it and bought some and used it on an oversized lap quilt I made. That really helped me get the feel for the curves and I was able to complete the entire quilt and am not too ashamed of it. It still is not perfect but it is better than any of my other attempts at FMQ. I won’t be afraid to tackle it again. Cute doll quilts!!
I am encouraged by your blogging. My first couple of FMQ projects were very sad – bad tension, uneven stitches – you know the drill. My most recent quilt started out barely okay but by the finish it was looking quite good.
Something that I have found helps me is to draw a pattern with pencil on paper. It gets my brain accustomed to meandering. I do this before I start quilting every time. I don’t trace the pattern on the quilt, I just use it to train my brain.
I will continue to practice, practice, practice.