Disclaimer: Please excuse the lurid green cloth that I have been using to practise on, and perhaps go and get some sunglasses before you scroll down, so that you don't damage your eyes.
Here is FMQ attempt #1, during which I fought with the cloth, forgot to breathe and declared "This is ridiculous. I am NEVER doing this again".
Happily, I rarely listen to myself, so I had another go on a fresh piece of green straight away - here is FMQ attempt #2:
Much better! I can see why people say that the key is to practise, practise, practise. I found Leah Day's Craftsy course very useful for helping out with things like how to stop big long stitches on starting and stopping (still getting used to that).
My mantra of the day - SLOW DOWN. My instinct is to push the cloth away like an unexploded bomb. I think I spend so much of my day rushing about that I forget how to do things slowly.
Also, how much bobbin thread does FMQ use???? I think I might just go and wind 10 bobbins in advance and be done with it.
G x
I am so impressed!
ReplyDeleteHee hee - you had me LOL-ing at your imaginary balls FMQing.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilting medear.
You are so right about both practicing and slowing down. You just have to force yourself to relax. When I first begin FMQ I find myself hunched over, stiff as a board, and not breathing. This might be something to try after a couple glasses of wine and a nice shoulder massage!
ReplyDeleteLooking brilliant!! I love the pattern!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of foot to the pedal, but thankfully never to the balls!!!
try a couple of G&Ts before quilting. That'll slow you down ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou have done great. Think what you could do at the end of another day! Nice to know that you are all well. Di x
ReplyDeleteWow - very impressed! Your first attempt is much better than mine was and your second looks great!
ReplyDeleteIt's looking good....!
ReplyDeleteLovely fmq. I always forget to breath too!
ReplyDeleteYay! It looks great :) go you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on taking the plunge, I think your first efforts are great!
ReplyDeleteLooks really good! It's hard to keep your foot fast and hands slower I reckon.
ReplyDelete"By George, she's got it!", looking fab :)
ReplyDeleteLooks brilliant!
ReplyDeleteBut the most important thing of all is to enjoy it, think of it like doodling with thread instead of ink. There is no such thing as right and wrong, good or bad, only practice!
ReplyDeleteThe trick with fmq is practice and yes you move a lot slower than you realise. I always tell my students a slightly faster machine with slower hands gives a more even stitch. Listen to your machine and soon you'll learn how to match your speed to the sound of the machine.
ReplyDeleteAlso top tip for bobbins... Get yourself some toe separators for painting your toe nails and wind 8 bobbins.. Store the bobbins in the toe separators when you've used them all up you will know it's time to change your needle and wind more bobbins :-)