check it out here: http://www.projectlinus.org/

You can see if there is a chapter near you, or what you need to do to start one in your area. Good luck!

How do I join a Linus group? Thanks for all the ideas. Jan

I always recommend to beginners to quilt one or two small Linus quilts first, that way you're making something useful and learning a new skill at the same time . Our local Linus rep always has quilt tops that need quilting. Drawing on paper is another good way to programme the patterns into your brain.

http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2009/09/quilting-tools-and-machine-setup.html
This is the site for 365 days of free motion quilting. Practice drawing every one. I keep a sketch pad and one of those cool new Sharpie pens that don't soak through paper, with me at all times...I practice in meetings and waiting rooms.

Look for zentangles on Google and look for the Youtube videos on this subject...very cool inspiration.

I totally agree with those who have said draw it first. Like me, you may now have another hobby...drawing.
It took me a year and a half, but I can now free draw such designs that I think I should be a tattoo artist. Feathers are my free-motion design of choice.

Watch every video you can, including Patsy Thompson's ones here on TQS.

Have fun!

Ditto what Margo just said! I had taken a Judy Dales class once and as an exercise we drew LOTS of large swirls, loops, curves, etc. The next class I had was free motion quilting, and I felt I was much more free or loose with my movements, than if I had just sat down and gone for it, with no paper "warm ups!"

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

BTW...practice doesn't always have to be on a quilt! Use an inexpensive sketchbook and a smooth writing pen and fill the pages with quilting motifs, or use a dry-erase board, or a child's MagnaDoodle. Just repeat a shape until you have built up muscle memory then it will be lots less intimidating when you try it with a machine and fabric!

I was the same at the very first and found stippling a bit hard so I just did loops all over big ones and little ones, you just cross over, as I found it hard not knowing which place to go next, that way I started to have a bit more confidence. When I went to the next level and started stippling I marked the quilt also and that helped. I am still very much a beginer. And also as Margo suggested cross hatching that seems to be the easy one for me and I have to admit I do it a lot.

Good luck.....

The results you get depend on the amount you practice! Just like playing the piano. Some people are naturals and the rest of us have to work at it.
If you are not comfortable doing free motion work or stippling, maybe you can mark your lonestar quilt with a simple grid and do the quilting with a walking foot.

My marks have disappeared in humidity. I am not good at stippling. I need to fill squares and triangles around a lone star. What is the easiest quilting to do???? Jan