Quilting Exercises for Better FMQ

Today’s Topic: FMQ-Quilting Exercises for Better FMQ

Welcome to Lesson  7 of our 2021 Quilt-a-Long,  Even Better Machine Quilting

This FREE multi-week tutorial is based on my books available in my Etsy shop:  LoriKennedyShop

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Good Morning, Quilters!

Earlier this week,  we reviewed the Best Stitch Length for FMQ (and longarm quilting).  The best stitch length is subjective and variable with the overall  goal of being  even.  (Read The Best Stitch Length).

The week before, we discussed the importance of balanced tension for a quilting stitch.

The BEST looking quilting stitch is a combination of  the proper stitch tension and  a  pleasing stitch  length.

Proper  Stitch Tension + Pleasing Stitch Length = Best Quilting Stitch.

Creating the Best Quilting Stitch

In order to achieve the  Best Quilting Stitch, we  must  make our sewing  machine  do its  job,  then train ourselves  to create even stitches.

It takes a lot of practice to create even stitches, but take  heart–that’s only one small part of the equation.   Even if it  takes months before  you achieve  even stitch length, your quilts  will  look beautiful throughout the  process  as  long  as your  stitch is balanced.

I’ve developed a few  “Quilting Exercises”   that help quilters find their best stitch!

Exercise One- (To the Tune of the Electric Slide)–The  Quilting Slide

Create a quick quilt  sandwich and thread your  sewing machine  with your favorite thread.

Place  the quilt in position, but  do not bring up the  bobbin thread or lower  the presser foot.

Turn on your music…

• Glide the quilt away from you.
• Glide the  quilt toward you.

Relax your shoulders  and sit up tall.

• Glide the quilt away.   Glide  the  quilt toward you.
• Now to the beat-half  glides-away, away, toward toward.  Away,  away,  toward,  toward.

Roll your shoulders…beat…beat…

• Glide  the quilt to  the left  and back  to  center.
• To  the   right  and  back  to  center.

Now here  comes the  tricky, Boot  Scoot Boogie….

• Keep YOUR  fingers facing  away  from you
• and circle right (clockwise)

Check YOUR hand position,

Boot Scoot boogie to the left  (Counter-clockwise)

Lessons from the Quilt Glide  Exercise

Okay, okay–that was  a lot of  typing…but I hope to  make a  few points:

Your  hand position does not change no matter  what direction you move  your quilt.  (See Hand Position)

Quilting should  be rhythmic and relaxed.  (Music helps many quilters)

Watch  your shoulders.  If  you  notice your shoulders are  hunched–you are too  tense.  Take a break!

Quilting should be fun!

Quilt Exercise Two-Fast, Slow Dancing Quilting

This is one of my  favorite warm up exercises.  When I’m feeling rusty this works for me.

Prepare a quick quilt sandwich and thread the machine for quilting with your favorite top and bobbin thread.

Bring up the bobbin thread and tie off somewhere near the middle of the quilt sandwich.

You may stitch any simple motif like wavy lines or messy circles, and change motifs at any time.

This exercise is similar to HIIT (high intensity interval training.)  You will stitch fast and slow in intervals.

1. One minute–stitch at your normal speed
2. One minute-Stitch as slow as you possibly can
3. One minute-Stitch as fast as you can.  Don’t worry about your motifs–your machine should be loud!
4. 30 Seconds-Stitch as slow as you can.
5. 30 seconds-Stitch as fast as possible.
6. One Minute–Stitch at any comfortable speed.
7. Rehydrate with wine water.

Lessons from the Fast-Slow Quilting

SPOILER ALERT–It is best to try the test before reading this next section…

Most people find they like my version of HIIT way better than their trainer’s torture.

Most quilters find that it is easier to stitch fast than slow (though extremes are difficult).

They also realize they are probably stitching too slow.

After completing  this exercise, most quilters have a new “normal” speed.

Some people tell me moderate amounts of wine help them quilt better–results may vary—and I’m not advocating or prescribing….

Perhaps a double-blind study is in order–

Well maybe not double-blind…(I was half blind for several weeks and my quilting did NOT improve–with or without Chardonnay.

What about YOU?

Do  YOU listen to music  when you quilt?

What are YOUR favorite upbeat  songs?

Do  you  ever notice hunched shoulders when you  quilt?

How long do you quilt at one sitting?

We’d LOVE  to hear!

Liebfraumilch Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ.  For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com.  Thank you!

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